Eric Narcisse, The Daily Advertiser, July 26, 2012

 

For the first time in the history of the school, the UL Ragin’ Cajuns women’s basketball program will be represented in the Olympics.

Anna Petrakova, a former Ragin’ Cajuns standout under Gay Nix and the late J. Kelley Hall, will compete in the 2012 London Olympics as a member of the Russian women’s basketball team.

"I did not know," said Petrakova via email about whether she was aware no other Ragin’ Cajuns women’s basketball player competed in the Olympics. "But honestly, I’m not surprised."

The 27-year-old Petrakova, who starred at power forward for the Ragin’ Cajuns from 2001-05 after arriving here from Moscow as a 16-year-old freshman, ended her career at UL as the all-time career leader in blocks and free throw percentage, ranks third in rebounds and three throws made and fourth in points, field goals made and field goal percentage.

Petrakova, who also earned All-Sun Belt honors in her final two seasons and was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year following the 2003-04 season, finished her career with 1,252 points and remains the only player in the program’s history to record a triple double.

"Look how far a small school like UL can get you," Petrakova said. "It’s not always about playing for the top teams; it’s about giving it your all and about the people around you."

Former Ragin’ Cajuns teammate Onna Charles, who played one season with Petrakova, is equally excited about her opportunity and stated "it couldn’t have happen to a better person."

"I’m very excited for Anna, because she is a very hard worker on and off the court," said Charles, who is now residing in Houston, Texas. "It’s good to see all of the hard work she has put in is being rewarded and what better reward is there than to make it to the Olympics."

Hall’s widow and former Ragin’ Cajuns assistant coach Meredith Hall called Petrakova’s opportunity a win-win for both her and the university.

"Playing in the Olympics and being able to represent your country is one of the biggest moments of your life," Hall said. "Anna is one of those people who worked so hard and was so diligent that you always hope good things continue to happen for people like her. This opportunity is much deserved and I’m happy she and the university are getting the recognition they deserve."

The 6-2 Petrakova, whose Russian team is in Group B with Australia, France, Brazil, Canada and Great Britain, credits Hall for her being the player she is today.

"We had a great team at UL and a tremendous coaching staff," Petrakova said. "Coach Hall taught me so much. I’ve dedicated my success so far to him. I miss him, and I wish he could be here to share my happiness with me."

Hall, who has returned to her hometown of South Carolina with her three kids, remembers her late husband was enamored with Petrakova’s ability from the moment he saw her.

"When Kelly first saw Anna, he was so happy," Hall recalled. "Her skills were off the charts and I can remember him putting her into our offense before we even had our first practice. He loved the fact that she had the ability to shoot from the outside, but more than anything he loved the fact that she was so coachable. I can definitely speak on his behalf about how fond of her he was."

Charles said Petrakova’s accomplishment speaks volumes about her work ethic, UL and the job Hall did as a coach.

"This is an amazing honor for Anna," Charles said. "Who would have ever thought someone from my school would make it to the Olympics. I think this says a lot about our school and the fact that she was trained here. A lot of her skills were developed by our coaching staff, so even though she’ll be playing for her country, she will always be a part of us."

Petrakova has always dreamed of one day being able to represent her country in any major tournament — especially the Olympics. But earning the opportunity to do so hasn’t been easy.

"Of course (it’s always been a dream of mine)," Petrakova said. "I trained with the National Team for the Beijing Olympics in 2008, but I got cut in the first round. Since 2008, I’ve spent every summer training with the national team for various competitions such as the European Championship and World championship, but I was (cut). This is the first time I have survived all of the eliminations."

Earning a spot on the Russian National Team and being able to compete in the Olympics has Petrakova feeling not only a since of accomplishment, but also that the trials and tribulations she endured along the way was more than worth it.

"(Competing in the Olympics) means that I have reached the top level in my game," Petrakova said. "It means that others chose me to represent the country and they have confidence in me. It means that all of my work throughout the years has paid off."

Athletic Network Footnote:

Click here for the London Olympics Women’s Basketball Home Page.

Athletic Network Footnote:

The story be;p was posted July 17, 2012.   

Women’s Basketball: Anna Petrakova, WBB 2001-05, Makes Russian Olympic Team

Please visit Anna’s Facebook Page of view pictures of the team.

Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/AnnaVPetrakova

Please click "like" if you like her story, so she can know that her message was distributed. Thank you.

You may twitter Anna at  https://twitter.com/PetrARuLove

Please click here for her Athletic Network Profile.

Click here for pictures of Anna and her 2005 teammates.

Click here for a story originally written in Russian and translated by Google. The title is "Petrakova: Who wrote that I be dismissed?" and makes for an interested read of a young lady who followed her dreasms. J. Kelley Hall is smiling from above.

Congratulations to Anna on this outstanding honor.

It will be nice to be able to follow her in the Olympic Women’s Basketball Competition.

Peace, Ed Dugas