Women's Indoor Track and Field

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Annika Gunderson, UW-River Falls

Each week during the 2022-23 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a “Student-Athlete Spotlight” Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's.


Name:  Annika Gunderson
Institution:  UW-River Falls
Hometown (High School):  Forest Lake. Minn. (Forest Lake High School)
Year in school:  Freshman
Sports:  Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field
Major:  Elementary Education


Why did you choose UW-River Falls?
I chose UW-River Falls because of the excellent elementary education program, and I really liked the track coaches here! I also like the fact that it is closer to home.
 
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
I am involved in Intervarsity on campus, a church that meets every Thursday night!
 
What causes do you care about?
I care about having enriching experiences in the classroom for all students, such as art classes, going outdoors and exploring, and having engaging core classes. I believe that all students need to know not only core class content, but also other experiences that add well roundness to students' education.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
I love the atmosphere at the meets, everyone is very friendly but also extremely competitive! I think that it is incredible being able to be an NCAA athlete and a huge honor.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver’s?  The kid's meal (butter burger cheese with only pickles, fries, chocolate milk, and vanilla ice cream with cookie dough)
Flavor of the Day from Culver’s?  Caramel Fudge Cookie Dough or Andes Mint Explosion
I honestly like them all though:)
Non-Athletic Spot on  Campus?  I like to hang out in the University Center.
Movie?  Tangled
Holiday?  Fourth of July
Food?  Ice cream!
Musical Group/Artist?  Taylor Swift
Professional Sports Athlete/Team?  The Vikings
Vacation Spot?  Disney World!
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
My greatest sports moment is my vault when I broke the UWRF pole vault record! I had one vault like this in high school, and now one in college too! It is a thrilling experience and is so much fun to feel the support of your team and coaches as they are cheering you on!
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
My favorite thing to do is just hang out with each other or get food! In high school, my friends and I used to always go to Culver’s. I just enjoy being in their company and making memories with them off the track.
 
One word that describes your team?
Supportive would definitely be the word to describe this team.
 
One word that describes you?
I think that hard worker would have to be my one word.
 
What is your dream job? 
My dream job is to be a second grade Elementary Immersion Spanish teacher! I also want to be a pole vault coach!
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Road trip across the whole USA.
---Ride an elephant.
---Backpack through Europe.
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
I am bilingual! I have been speaking Spanish since first grade.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
Before every track meet, I write “AO1” on my left wrist. To me that stands for “Audience of One” and that reminds me that no matter how I compete that day there is only one person who I am competing for, and that is for God. This little acronym helps me to remember that God gave me this opportunity to compete, so I want to glorify Him and His kingdom through it!
 
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