April 22, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sophomore defender Annika Bannon has been one of the Georgetown field hockey team's strongest defensive players since arriving on the Hilltop in 2007 when she started all 17 games as a freshman. Bannon and the Hoyas are wrapping up their spring season, but she was able to find some time to sit down and speak with Hoya Headliner.

HH: What is your favorite thing about playing collegiate field hockey? AB: The camaraderie that you build as a team, the friendships that you establish through working hard together.

HH: Do you have any pre-game rituals? AB: I always wear the same earrings and the same bracelet.

HH: What is your favorite pre-game song? AB: Anything that gets my heart racing.

HH: At what age did you start playing sports? AB: I can't remember not playing sports. I started playing soccer when I was young. In high school I played field hockey, track and golf.

HH: Was field hockey your favorite sport growing up? AB: I didn't get serious about it until you had to make a decision in high school. My entire family played, my Mom played in college and my sister played in college and I saw how much fun they had playing.

HH: What has been your greatest moment of your athletic career been thus far? AB: My first game at Georgetown was a great moment. When you think about how many kids in high school aspire to be Division I athletes and how many get there, it was exciting for me.

HH: Who do you look to for advice? AB: My Mom. She's awesome.

HH: Tell me something about your hometown of Hopkinton, Mass.? AB: The Boston marathon starts in our town. They say that people are grumpy from November to March and when the marathon comes around everyone is happy.

HH: What is your favorite album and why? AB: The Sound of Music, just because I know the lyrics to every song. It doesn't necessarily get me excited for games, but there is a lot of meaning attached.

HH: If you could be on any reality TV show, what would it be and why? The Amazing Race - it is such a competitive show and you get to travel across the globe, what could be better!

HH: Who on the team do you rely on the most? AB: Kristen Volpe. She's the lone senior on the team, she works so hard and she sets such a good example.

HH: What's your biggest pet peeve in life? AB: Sweating the small things.

HH: What is the strangest fact about you? AB: I was named after Pipi Longstocking's best friend. I think she's a role model and so carefree!

HH: Who is your most interesting teammate? AB: Micaela O'Toole. She brings a lot to the table, she's a mood-brightener on the team and she makes everyone laugh.

HH: What is your favorite movie? AB: Mrs. Doubtfire.

HH: If you could you trade lives with anyone right now, who would it be? AB: Annika Sorenstam. She has created such a name for herself in a sport dominated by males and has made a career out of something that she loves to do.

HH: What has been your favorite class at Georgetown? AB: Healthcare in America the Fractured System with Professor Goldenberg.

HH: Your favorite thing about going to school in D.C.? AB: Probably just all the opportunities that exist with it being the Nation's Capital.

HH: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? AB: Spain. I would just like to see the culture and experience the people.

HH: Freshman dorm? AB: New South.

HH: Favorite Georgetown restaurant? AB: The Tombs. The atmosphere in general makes it the quintessential Georgetown restaurant.

HH: Who is your biggest rival? AB: Villanova. Every year we come out and give them a game. My freshman year we came back from three goals behind and really came together as a team. It was a turning point for our season.

HH: What is one word people use to describe you? Fun-usual. (A combination of fun and unusual)

HH: Who is someone who fans would overlook in their importance to the team? AB: Our strength coach Brian Hess. He deserves a lot more than just a shout out.

HH: Favorite quote from coach? AB: She always has some good "believe in yourself" quotes. One is "Believe in yourselves like Emily (Beach) and I believe in you guys!"