Athlete of the Week: Ana Gold Shines in Durham Regional
Each week this spring, The Chronicle spotlights a standout Blue Devil athlete through its Sportswrap newsletter. This time, the honor goes to Duke softball’s Ana Gold, whose powerful performance in the NCAA Softball Tournament’s Durham Regional proved why she’s one of the best to ever wear Duke blue.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Third time’s a charm.” But for senior infielder Ana Gold, no charm was needed—just raw talent and unwavering focus. In Duke’s five games on the national stage, Gold launched three home runs and racked up eight RBIs, leading her team to a 3-2 finish in the regional.
Gold’s impact was immediate. In Duke’s opening game against Howard, she ignited the team’s momentum with a home run that set the tone for the rest of the matchup. Her second blast of the game sealed a dominant 12-0 run-rule win. The 5-foot-7 senior’s consistency throughout the tournament underscored her leadership and reliability.
“I am most proud of this team for having so much fight and grit and getting better as the season went along,” Gold said.
Gold’s achievements extend far beyond this tournament. She made headlines last season by becoming the first Blue Devil to hit two grand slams in a single game, and she holds Duke’s all-time record for home runs with 54. A career .306 hitter, the Ballston Spa, N.Y., native has started 230 of 232 games in her time at Duke and earned a spot on the All-ACC Academic Team for her work in the classroom.
“For myself, I am proud that I really enjoyed each moment and truly found the love for the game again,” she reflected.
After four decorated years in Durham, Gold’s journey will continue at the professional level. She was selected ninth overall by the Blaze in the 2025 AUSL College Draft, taking her talents to the next stage of softball.
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