Knapptime
Anne Kennedy '07
By Mike Knapp, The Dartmouth Staff
Published on Thursday, May 24, 2007
As many of my loyal readers know, rowing is a sport very close to my heart. For this week's One on One, I chose to interview a fellow rower of the female variety. Anne Kennedy '07 is not only the captain and stroke seat of Dartmouth's women's varsity eight, but she is also a world champion. Yes, you read that correctly. She won the gold medal in the U-23 United States women's eight last summer, along with teammate Kate Davison '07.
For this column's purpose, however, I chose to gloss over her success in her sport and instead tried to get her to call out her teammates. I felt that this method would work well, especially because most readers would not especially appreciate Anne and I discussing the fine points of crew.
So I abandoned any type of intellectual introspection about rowing and instead just went for brief, slapstick humor.
The D: So, you guys have had a lot of success this past season. To what do you attribute that success?
Anne Kennedy: I'd have to say our coach, Wendy [Lebash]. She really pushes us and brings the best out of all of us. We have a lot more depth this year than we have had in the past. Everyone's seat is on the line almost every practice. Except mine [laughs].
The D: How does it feel to make the NCAA regatta this year after getting jobbed last year?
AK: It really is a dream come true. Making NCAAs was our goal. I got interviewed last summer for the national team and they asked what my goals were. I said, "to take Dartmouth to the NCAA championships." This is pretty effin' sweet.
The D: What was it like to be on the national team?
AK: I felt so cool and famous all the time.
The D: Ok, now for the fun questions. Who do you think has the cutest butt on your team?
AK: Well, I'd say it's me, obviously.
The D: Ok, who would you say has the best hind parts on the men's team?
AK: Oh God. Good question. Jim Guba ['09]. He's got a nice butt. I like the younger men.
The D: If you were stranded on a desert island with any one member of your team, who would you pick?
AK: I would pick Nicole Bertucci '08. Sometimes I think we were separated at birth. We are like each other's other half. We would have no problem entertaining each other with "Wedding Crashers" quotes till we were saved.
The D: Ok, fair enough. Who would be the last person you'd want to be stuck with?
AK: Haha. I'd have to go with our coxswain, Laura Bozzuto ['07]. She wouldn't be big enough to pull her weight around the island. She would give me orders and I wouldn't do it. She would make me try to row her away from the island.
The D: If you were one of the Seven Dwarves who would you be?
AK: Sleepy. My thesis has been taking away all my sleep, so I'm always tired. After this spring I'll need to catch up.
The D: Who is the biggest flirt on your team?
AK: Oh man. Definitely Kate Davison. Just ask the freshman lightweight team.
The D: Who on your team is the best dancer?
AK: For our best dancer, I'm tempted to say that we all put on a pretty good show at the crew formal last fall. I have some pretty spectacular memories, actually.
The D: Let's not remember that fiasco. Who is the worst?
AK: It should be noted that rowers are far too uncoordinated and can't dance. Let's be honest.