Anna Rogers Senior Profile

DURHAM, N.C. ? GoDuke.com recently sat down with women's swimmer Anna Rogers for her senior profile. Read on to discover what she admires most about her coaches, her many nicknames, her plans for after graduation, plus much more.

GoDuke.com: What is your nickname?
Anna Rogers: Well Emily Lang calls me “Raja”, G calls me “Mother Goose” and Packer calls me “Y'all.” And my best friend from home, Alison Daubenspeck, calls me “Anner.” Sometimes Danielle calls me “Ann,” too. I think that just about does it. I love all of them.

GD: If you could change one rule in your sport, what would it be?
AR: I have to go with Cat Gordon on this one and change the rule that artificial noise makers are not allowed on deck. I used to love that cow bell freshman year, and I honestly think our cheers have suffered dramatically without it.

GD: What's your favorite book?
AR: I really liked Rebecca when I had to read it, but I honestly forget a lot of it now?maybe I should go back and read it again. I also really liked Blue Like Jazz, Catcher in the Rye, the Scarlet Letter, and pretty much any Nicholas Sparks book.

GD: What's your favorite TV show?
AR: LOST and Grey's Anatomy, although I just watched American Gladiators for the first time last night and got really into it.

GD: Who's your favorite musical artist?
AR: Eh...I'm not really a huge music person although I do love music, if that makes any sense at all. I like a lot of different kinds of music, but I don't really know any particular artist or type of music especially well. I like country, Top 40 (I guess that's what its called?what's being played on the radio), musical soundtracks, Christian, and Oldies, and probably a little of everything in between.

GD: Are you superstitious and if so, describe why?
AR: I wouldn't say I'm superstitious, but I do like to have a plan and stick to it before competitions. I guess I am somewhat of a worrier, or over-analyzer, so I like to do exactly what my coach says so I can feel like I did everything I was supposed to before my race. I think this is the case so that if I am not happy with a swim I can't look back and say, “Maybe it was because I did or didn't do such-and-such during warm up.”

GD: What's your best non-athletic talent?
AR: Wow, after a lot of thought I realize that I am not very talented in non-athletic areas. I like to think I'm kind of funny, but you would have to ask my friends about that. I can also read an entire People magazine and retain every detail, if you count that as a talent.

GD: If you could have dinner with four people from history, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
AR: Whoa, flashback to Duke Med. School interview ... I think for that I said Oprah, just because she has so much money and influence that I think it would be cool to see how she handles all that; Mother Theresa, because of her amazing ability to love unconditionally and give so much of herself to others; I forget the others, but now I'm going to say Julia Roberts just because I think she's awesome, and, on a completely different level, Jesus because I would love to hear his teachings in person, be able to have a conversation with him, and see his mannerisms.

GD: What are you planning on doing after graduation?
AR: I will be attending medical school somewhere.

GD: What's the thing you most admire about your coach and why?
AR: I really admire both of my coaches for the fact that they have a great relationship with the team. I have friends who swim for coaches they are afraid of or barely ever talk to, and I am so lucky that I do not have to experience that with Dan [Colella] and Dawn [Chuck]. I feel so comfortable with Dan and Dawn, and I like that I can joke around with them, but I also trust them and respect them a great deal.

GD: Where is your secret spot to study?
AR: I think it changes each year. This year since I live off campus I do most of my studying at my apartment, but last year I did have some fun during exam time sneaking into classrooms inside the Languages building to have study sessions with friends. I have also had some great study sessions at Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, Panera Bread, and Shade Tree coffee.

GD: What's the best advice you've ever received?
AR: In relation to swimming it would be to just go out there and swim and to quit thinking so much. Too much of the time my mind gets in the way of what my body has the ability to do.

GD: What's your favorite sport, other than your own, to watch on TV?
AR: I'm going to have to go with baseball. I love watching the Atlanta Braves during the summer.

GD: What's the best concert you've ever attended?
AR: Rolling Stones at Wallace Wade. That was a wonderful night because it was the first and only time my older sister came up to Duke to hang out with me. Even though it is hard to compete with the couple of *NSYNC concerts I attended as a teenager!

GD: What do you do in your free time?
AR: I like to spend time with my friends and family, and I love being outside when the weather is nice. I have two sisters, a brother and a sister-in-law, and a little niece that keep me pretty entertained when I am at home. I also like to try other sports and be active as much as possible. I also love shopping and watching movies, but these are the definitely better when I am with really fun people. I like to try to cook too, and have had some fun Thursday night dinners over the past couple of years.

Players Mentioned

Emily Lang

Anna Rogers

Duke information