2015: Appeared in four games this season, earning pinch-hit assignments against UC Santa Barbara (2/6), No. 14 LSU (2/21), Ball State (3/8) and Wisconsin (3/28) ... Academic All-Big Ten ... Ripped a pinch-hit single and scored a run against the Cardinals ... Smashed a pinch-hit RBI double, later scoring herself in a win over Wisconsin (3/28).
2014: Appeared in three games as a pinch hitter ... In the first appearance, against Boise State (2/8), on the third pitch she faced in college and the first swing she took, launched an incredible, towering solo home run to left field for her first collegiate hit ... Drew a walk against Penn State (2/16) as a pinch hitter.
High School: A multi-sport athlete who earned 12 letters across golf, basketball and softball, already has accumulated five Upstate Eight All-Conference awards in those sports (two in golf, two in softball and one in basketball) ... Two-time all-area honoree in softball with one basketball selection ... Two-time sectional qualifier in golf ... As a sophomore, batted .442 with a 1.279 OPS, 10 home runs and 45 RBIs ... As a junior, hit .495 with a 1.473 OPS, nine home runs and 34 RBIs ... Played club with the Illinois Chill 18U Gold Quinn team ... Eight total Upstate Eight Academic All-Conference awards ... National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist ... High Honor Roll all semesters of high school ... Carries a 4.67 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Personal: Born Anna Therese Petersen ... Daughter of Bob and Molly Petersen ... Father played baseball and football at Iowa State ... Grandfather is a Northwestern alum ... Oldest of six children ... Younger sister, Ellie, plays volleyball at West Point ... Chose Northwestern over Michigan State and Illinois ... Majoring in mechanical engineering.
GET TO KNOW PETERSEN
Q. Describe briefly your recruiting process/how you ended playing here at Northwestern: My recruiting process began when I attended my first NUSB summer camp.
Q: What advice will you give to kids wanting to play your sport in college? Work hard on the field, but always take care of your schoolwork first!
Q: What is the greatest lesson in life that you have learned so far? So much of life is determined by how you respond to adversity. Every setback or obstacle you face is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Q: Describe a humbling experience in your life: Northwestern General Chemistry
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far? Becoming a student-athlete at Northwestern!
Q: Favorite class at Northwestern and why: I took an Engineering design-communication class my freshman year that I really enjoyed. We got to design and build a prototype for a real client.
Q: Whatrs your dream job? I would love to integrate engineering and design with non-profit work, maybe by starting my own company.
Q: The person/s that inspire/s you the most: My parents and 5 younger siblings
Q: If you were given a chance to dine with anyone from any period in history, who will you choose and why? St. Pope John Paul II. Hers just awesome, and knew how to live simply, joyfully, and selflessly.
Q: Who/what did you pretend to be when playing as a kid/growing up? Sammy Sosa
Q: What is/are your favorite song/s or best concert ever attended? Before Taylor Swift was famous, I got to see her perform at a small concert on the lakefront in Chicago.
Q: Best book you have ever read? The Hunger Games trilogy
Q: What is/are your favorite place/s to visit? Florida
Q: What is/are your favorite food? Anything made by my mom :)
Q: Hobbies or favorite activities during your spare time: I enjoy spending time with my teammates, friends, and family.
Q: Describe your pregame ritual: Just telling myself to be confident and play hard.
Q: What talent/s do you have that you would like to showcase in a talent show? I can break an apple in half with my bare hands ... wouldn't call it a talent, but I can do it.
Q: How do you want people to remember you as a person? As someone who cared about others and saw the good in everyone
Q: What is/are your favorite sports team/s growing up? Every Chicago sports team EXCEPT the White Sox. Go Cubs Go!
Q: Who is/are your favorite athlete/s growing up? I'm still rooting for Tim Tebow!