f you ask Drew Romo to describe himself, he would mention his love for his family, humility and his don’t-quit personality.

Being born and raised in Merced, Romo began playing baseball at 5 years of age and began playing football as a freshman in high school, behind his father’s influence and motivation.

“My dad supported me, he wanted me to be the greatest that I can be,” Romo said, “He was always pushing me in and out of the classroom and in sports.  To have respect for others; he preached loyalty and how to be trusting.”

Moving to Rocklin before his junior year, Romo enrolled at Whitney High School.

“It was hard,” said Romo, “to leave everything I was used to and go to a new city.”

Heading into his junior of football, Romo mentioned how Whitney head coach Mike Gimenez had taken him under his wing. He had to step up to replace the Capital Athletic League’s No. 1 player, Jake Rodrigues. Romo didn’t disappoint, as Whitney finished 8-3 in 2012.

“Drew was, and is an amazing leader and teammate,” said Gimenez, “As far as work ethic, character and commitment, he is off the charts. Those are the type of players you want to have in a leadership role to help influence your team in a positive way.”

Entering his senior season, Whitney had started 1-3, at which Romo’s leadership shone through during one of the senior meetings.

“I’ve always been that quarterback/pitcher-type, the leader role,” he said, “We were (1-3) and I had to step up as a leader. During one of our meetings, I was like, ‘what would it feel like to take off those pads off for the last time?’”

After hearing what Romo had said and taking it to heart, the seniors influenced their teammates and Whitney won their next eight straight games. They didn’t lose again until meeting Del Oro in the second round of the playoffs. Del Oro went on to play in the state bowl championship game.

But the ending of the football season is short-felt for the 6-foot 3-inch senior as, he now prepares for baseball season.

As a junior playing baseball for the Wildcats, the left-hander was 7-1 as pitcher. His pitch was a change-up, and he could throw upwards of 85 miles an hour.

 As a hitter, Romo’s average was .462 in 65 at bats with 23 runs batted in.

“I want to help my team,” said Romo, “I want them to look at me and to hop on my back and drive through a brick wall together. My individual goals are to have first-team honors and get national honors for pitching.”

Whitney baseball coach Robert Dorchak has admired Romo’s leadership since his arrival to Whitney.

“Drew is a great competitor and he brings leadership to the baseball field,” Dorchak said, “He is one of those kids who lets his actions speak for him and inspires others daily.”

Romo’s leadership, and his pitching and hitting, has brought him recruiting offers from Willamette University, Lewis and Clark College, and Azusa Pacific University, just to name a few.

“They are recruiting me for both, pitcher-first base, pitcher-outfield,” he said, “I definitely love hitting, but I would want to do pitching preferably.”

Some of the colleges, like Willamette and Lewis and Clark, are also recruiting Romo for football, as well. 

But the 3.9 GPA student-athlete will be visiting schools over the next few weeks before making a decision on where to go. His main focus will be on his education to help support his family, in either the psychology or business administration fields.

If athletics should somehow end for Romo, he said there were a few things he would miss about football and baseball.

“Honestly, I would miss spending time with friends and teammates,” he said, “grinding it out in training, lifting; the locker room before and after the game.”

Whitney baseball practice began this week.

Source:  http://www.placerherald.com/article/whitney%E2%80%99s-drew-romo-takes-leadership-another-level