Red Bank Catholic’s Anna Gotterup received an early conditional offer of appointment to the United States Naval Academy where she will also play lacrosse.
By Elizabeth Wulfhorst
RED BANK – Unlike many high school seniors who still need to wait months for college acceptances, Red Bank Catholic’s Anna Gotterup knows where she’ll be studying next year. Anna received a conditional offer of appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, last month. And she won’t only be training to serve her country; she’ll also be representing the Midshipmen on the lacrosse field. Anna called the acceptance an “incredibly exciting accomplishment.”
She said her grandfather attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, before serving as a supply officer in the U.S. Navy, but she will be the first Naval Academy graduate in her family. Anna’s interest in the Navy began in the sixth grade after a conversation with her dad about a possible career in the military. “I have always loved being near and/or on the water,” Anna said, “so when my interest was piqued in serving our country it just made sense to explore the Navy.”
As of now she plans to study physics at the academy, but that could change; although Anna isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. “The U. S. Navy provides officers graduating from the academy with endless career opportunities,” Anna noted, but her goal after Annapolis is to “head down to Pensacola post-graduation to earn my wings and then be sent to a naval fighter pilot primary flight training school.” She knows this won’t be an easy path. “I have never flown a plane, however aviation, specifically fighter jets, have been an interest of mine for years,” Anna said. “I told myself if I was going to serve my country, I wouldn’t be doing it from behind a desk. Through hours of research, no naval profession has truly caught my attention like fighter pilots.”
Anna is looking forward to her academic and military training, but said she is also “thrilled” to be playing Division I lacrosse for the academy. As a Casey, Anna has played on the varsity team since her freshman year, was named an offensive captain her junior year and is now a team captain for her upcoming senior year season. She earned Asbury Park Press All Shore honors for her efforts on the field in spring 2021. “I am so excited to play lacrosse at the collegiate level,” Anna said. “Navy has consistently been a top-ranked NCAA program led by Cindy Timchal. The players have more grit and toughness than I’ve ever seen and are incredibly talented and athletic.”
The thought of playing with the Midshipmen has motivated her to improve all aspects of her game, she said, with the hope of winning a spot on the field next year. “The ultimate goal is to help Navy win their first national championship.” In addition to her academic studies and athletic accomplishments, Anna is also the current president of Red Bank Catholic’s Military Careers Club, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps. Pre-COVID, Anna said the club’s moderator, Ted Jarmusz, a member of the school’s guidance department, would bring in active duty or military veterans to talk about their experiences. “The club has contributed greatly to my interest in the armed forces and it provides students with a better understanding of the military,” she said.
Even though she has nearly eight months before beginning her military career, Anna seems ready. “Naturally, I am nervous for the rigors ahead of me revolving around the military and an incredibly demanding schedule,” she said. “However, the excitement outweighs the nerves by a mile.
The article originally appeared in the October 14 – 20, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
