Getting to know - Blake Andrews
Blake Andrews
Maize boys soccer
Andrews is a junior goalkeeper, and his team went 17-2 in 2009. Though the team didn't make it to the Class 6A semifinals, six members including Andrews played on the WSO Thunder United. The Wichita-based club team won the Kansas State Cup in the under-17 division.
There's a difference between winning a club state championship and a school state championship, but how did it feel to take the title home over the summer?
"It was a great feeling. In 2007 we won a state championship and just to go back and do that again was awesome. Bringing that level to Maize, I feel like I can help them out a lot this year at goalie."
There are six players from that team on your Maize team. What does that experience bring back?
"It brings a lot of leadership. I think those six players from WSO are going to be the main leaders and will hold the key to us being successful. Everyone's mindset is to take it one game at a time and play every game like it's a state championship. Our goal is to make it there."
Have you started looking at what you want to do when you get out of school?
"I definitely want to play college soccer. I've been looking at schools around here like Newman University. I hear Fort Hays State is pretty good. There are a lot of options and I'm still looking. I definitely plan to play and get a college education. I'd really like to play Division I soccer, but its really hard because of my size. I'm not as big as a lot of other goalies and that's what D-I programs look at."
What do you use to make up for that lack of size?
"Not a lot of goalies can use their feet like me. If you watch Maize, they'll pass it back to me all of the time."
How often do you put in work to train as a goalie?
"Keighton Allen (Bishop Carroll's girls soccer goalie) and I usually get together and do private training just as friends. We get together every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on our own to make ourselves better. I also train with Cliff Brown, the Newman University coach. He used to be a pro goalie and he's been my trainer ever since I can remember. He's elevated my game a lot."
