Athlete of the Week: Andie Romness, McLean

Andie Romness is McLean High School’s modern day Bo Jackson. The two sport star (basketball and soccer) currently leads the Lady Highlanders in points per game (12.5), three-point field goals (9), and free throws made (31-41). While a threat on the basketball court, it is Romness’ talent at soccer that has her headed south this fall to play for Shelley Smith’s University of South Carolina Gamecocks.

We spoke with McLean’s veteran, emotional leader, and her basketball coach Mike O’Brien over the holidays. about her career and her legacy.

PATCH: How has it been coaching Andie throughout her career? What effect has she had on the rest of the team?

O’BRIEN: Andie has been one of the most athletically gifted players I’ve ever coached.  She not only relies on her athleticism but is one of the hardest workers in practice.  Her commitment to both sports (soccer and basketball) and her academics has been an example for the younger kids on the team. 

PATCH: What will you miss most about Andie?

O’BRIEN: I will miss Andie’s competitive nature the most. She hates to lose almost as much as I do.  She is willing to do whatever it takes to help win – guard a post player, get rebounds, take a charge.  She has a tremendous combination of strength, speed, and desire.  

PATCH: I understand that you play both basketball and soccer. How long have you played each sport, and which teams to you play for (school, club teams, etc.)?

ROMNESS: I have played both since I was about four years old. I have an older brother so I always did what he did. For soccer, I play on the Bethesda Dragons and for McLean High School. For basketball I just play for McLean. I have never had time to play on a travel or select basketball team.

PATCH:  Which sport do you enjoy more? Why?

ROMNESS: That's a tough question. I like them the same. I play soccer year round so when it finally gets to basketball season I'm so excited to play because that means I can focus on a different sport for a little bit. Basketball has helped me not get burnt out from soccer. They are both just so fun and I love to win.

PATCH: How does each sport prepare you for the other?

ROMNESS: Soccer helps me with basketball because all the endurance running enables me to run for longer amounts of time without getting as tired. Basketball on the other hand makes my agility so much faster which ends up really helping in soccer. Also in soccer, depth perception is key to winning balls in the air, so that helps in basketball when it comes to stealing passes and catching the bad passes.

PATCH: How do you manage to juggle both sports and multiple teams?

ROMNESS: I got pretty lucky this year because basketball practice is usually right after school where as soccer practice is at night so I usually have 1-2 hours between them to rest and change uniforms. On game days it harder and is usually where conflicts occur but so far, everything has worked out well. Time management is really important. I don't do my homework until about 10pm.

PATCH: If you have time for any other hobbies, what do you enjoy doing outside of soccer and basketball?

ROMNESS: I like to snowboard on the free weekends in the winter and go to the beach in the summer. And of course, hang out with my friends.

PATCH Who have been the most influential people in your life (professional athletes, coaches, family, etc)?

ROMNESS: Definitely my family. My parents have always been really supportive in everything I do. They used to take me to all my practices and they still come to as many games as they can. My older brother, David, is the reason why I play sports in the first place. I always wanted to be exactly like him so whatever sport he played, I played too. In our front yard we used to compete at everything and he never took it easy on me. We were so competitive with each other and still are.

PATCH: I know that you’ve committed to South Carolina to play soccer next fall. What factors led you to choose USC?

ROMNESS: I really like the coaches down there and once I visited the school, I fell in love with the campus. It's so pretty and welcoming and everyone I met while down there was so friendly. Their soccer program is also really strong and getting better each year. They finished 14^th in the nation this season.

PATCH: Who are your two favorite sports icons? Why?

ROMNESS: Coach K (Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski) and Drew Bledsoe. I think that Coach K is one of the best coaches in history and has really done a lot to Duke's program. I met him at a basketball camp when I was little and he was just a really nice guy and he always has his act together. Drew Bledsoe is my all time favorite athlete. He was a great quarterback and knew how to win. I used to carry his sports card around in my wallet and tell people he was my boyfriend.

PATCH: What is your fondest memory playing soccer at McLean?

ROMNESS: Winning districts my sophomore year. In the finals, against Woodson, our coach and one of our players got a red card so we played a man down for about half the game. We came from behind and ended up winning in overtime. We were all exhausted after the game but it felt great to win. Also beating Langley every single time is awesome.

PATCH: What would be most surprised to know that you have on your IPOD?

ROMNESS: I have a lot of Reel Big Fish and Less than Jake songs.