University of Minnesota Athletics
Courtside with Annalese Lamke
11/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Annalese Lamke (Galesville, Wis.) started a handful of games as a freshman. After gaining that valuable experience, she worked hard to improve her conditioning over the summer. The center will begin her sophomore season on Saturday against Harvard.
Describe your freshman year.
My freshman year was a lot of fun. I did a lot of learning last year, especially things I could improve on going forward. But it was overall such a fun, tremendous experience. I loved playing with Rachel (Banham) and the rest of the seniors and being able to see the history she made first hand. It was really cool to be a part of it all.
What have you done since last season to get ready for Year 2?
Overall I've been working a lot on my conditioning and strength. I have been working to make sure I am able to get up and down the court as fast as possible. I want to control the things within my control (i.e. fitness, strength, work ethic). I also hope to shoot field goals and free throws with a better percentage.
What goals do you have for yourself this season?
I want to win, first and foremost. I also want make sure everything I do helps to set the team up for success, whether it's on the bench or on the court. I want to do everything I can at the highest level possible.
Do you have a game you're most looking forward to?
I'm looking forward to South Carolina because it will be really cool to go into huge arena and play a team as talented as they are will be exciting. I'm excited to see if we can take our game down to them and get a win. Besides S.C., I always look forward to Wisconsin game because I always like taking on my home state.
You have frequently been caught on camera cheering enthusiastically during games. Do you have any creative cheers ready for this year?
It's a very spur-of-the-moment and flow-of-the-game type of celebrating. I get really excited during the games and I genuinely love watching my teammates play great basketball. Sometimes I think of celebrations beforehand and coordinate them but most of the time it's just with the flow of the game. We did the dab after free throws last year but it might change to Juju on the Beat this year. Hopefully spice it up.
Who gets the most into cheering on the bench? You?
I'm probably the most into the cheering on the bench. Most people love watching the game and then joining the cheers but I think as one of the loudest on the team it comes naturally. I try to lead the energy on the bench but Kenisha Bell will get into it when she's on the bench with me. Palma (Kaposi) gets into it as well to help the team feel encouraged and the energy high.
Is that energy there at practice, too?
Energy is one of the biggest parts of practice that we focus on. We can tell when practices are starting to go down with the energy level but we make sure that we're cheering everyone one throughout the practice.
What do you hope to do with your kinesiology major?
I really want to become a strength and conditioning coach. I think Coach Ralph (Petrella) has really helped me with that these past couple of years. Hopefully I can find some job shadowing opportunities in the future. I really want to explore the career and scope it out. I'd love to find a way to work with a basketball team as a strength and conditioning coach going forward.
What do you want to take away from the U of M overall?
I can say that I've had a top-of-the-line education. You cannot get a better education than at the University of Minnesota. However, I could even argue the friendships I made either through basketball or outside of basketball, I hope those stick with me going forward. That's definitely an 'all of the above' type answer.
Describe yourself in one word, and why you chose that word.
Passionate. If I am doing something, then I'm all in. In basketball if I'm on the bench I'm still cheering, watching, learning. I love the game and I do anything I can for the team.
What are your favorite activities outside basketball?
In the summer I love to go kayaking with my family. We do it every summer when I go home. If I'm not at home, I'm always on Netflix and watching shows on there.
What's your favorite show you watched recently?
"Parks and Recreation" or "New Girl."
What did you take away from watching Lynx's last Finals game?
The basic fundamental stuff was something I was looking for in the stands. I also noticed how much the Twin Cities loves basketball.
