Name: Anne Kesselring
Date of birth: December 4, 1989
Hometown: Nurnberg, Germany
High School: Sigmund-Schuckert Gymnasium
College: Oregon, 2013
Current residence: Eugene, Oregon
Primary events: 800m, 1,500m
Personal bests:
• 800m, 2:02.12, 2013
• 1,500m, 4:13.90, 2013
• Mile, 4:32.61, 2012
Career achievements:
• 800m
- 2011 NCAA champion
- 2010 Pac-10 champion
- 2006, ’08 IAAF World Junior Championships qualifier
• 1,500m
- 2010 Germany runner-up
What is your favorite and/or least favorite workout? Least favorite: mile repeats. It's X times 5+ minutes of running hard but not going for it. Favorite: combination of 1Ks and 200s. You get to be tired and run fast, but don't get bored.
Do you have any superstitions? Not really. But when I race, my hair has to be 100% tamed, pulled back, and fixed in place. When I check my bag, I check for spikes, bib numbers AND hairspray.
Why have you chosen to live and train in Eugene? I came here to compete for the U of O in 2009, even though I never did a recruiting visit. It was a jump in cold water, but I love this place; it's my second home and I didn't want to leave after college.
How would you win The Hunger Games? Form alliances. I have no sense of direction and zero weapon skills. I'm a nerd at heart.
What would be your super power and why? Medusa's eyes. Turn anyone into stone with one look.
What is your spirit animal/what animal do you relate to? Owl. If I had a Patronus, it would be an eagle owl.
What is your favorite track and field meet? 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen China. It was my first multi-sport meet, and it is HUGE. Loved the atmosphere in the village, everyone was very easy-going and I unexpectedly made the 800m final. I studied Mandarin in college, so going there was a fantastic experience. I had a full week to explore after the meet.
What drives you to work so hard? Perfectionism.
If you could road trip across the country with anyone, who would it be? My college roommate Becca Friday. We road-tripped from Las Vegas to Eugene last year. Can't ask for a better partner.
What do you do to unwind after a long season? I'm usually back in Europe with my family. I like to do long hikes in the Alps and go inline skating, both don't mix too well with running. Cake for breakfast.
Which teammate inspires you and why? Aisha. At USAs, I was watching her help Bridget across the line in the steeple final. There are not many pro runners who would think about a teammate in a National Championship, and it made me believe in these girls. At that point, I was scared to leave the "nest" of my college team, and Aisha inspired me to have faith in a new team.
What are your other favorite sports? Figure skating. "Dancing on knives strapped to tennis shoes" is how one skater in Sochi described it. I wanted to be a gymnast when I was little, taught myself cartwheels in a small apartment, and I grew up playing ice hockey on a frozen pond every day during the winter.
What makes you different? I live with a singing neuro-scientist, a gardening physicist, and a poetic software programmer. My roommates give me balance and perspective.