YBI: Austy Rome kicks Blue & Gold
YOUNG BALLERS INC.
Photo by MD
"Happy to see my FAV soccer player Austy Rome attending camp at UofM in AnnArbor."
Thirteen year old Austy Rome lives in Prince George County, MD just outside of Washington D.C. He made a trip to Michigan for a family wedding in Detroit (his mom was a bridesmaid) and to attend an overnight soccer camp at UofM in Ann Arbor. Rome had to overcome an injury two months prior, but was able to do the hustle with cousins at the wedding and then shine on the pitch for the next four days.
Austy and his dad saw UofM play at Maryland last October not far from their home. After the game he met UofM freshman sensation Abdou Samake, and dad spoke with head coach Chaka Daley who invited AR to attend the summer soccer camp in Ann Arbor. Both parents are alums of UofM.
Rome accidentally got kicked in the foot during tryouts for a club team on Mother's Day, fracturing one of the growth plates in his right foot. The recovery would take 6-8 weeks. He was already signed up for the UofM camp in July. His right foot in a boot would cast doubt on him being healthy in time.
Austy got the doctor's ok to play again at the end of June. Since he was not able to finish tryouts in May, AR belonged to no team. His dad would have two weeks to get him back in shape for camp.
When Rome arrived in Detroit for the wedding time would be limited. He had a chance to see his grandparents and Saturday morning got to workout with cousin Courtnie who is a trainer. After a good time at the wedding there was no time to hang out. Up early Sunday morning and down the road to Ann Arbor to move in to the dorm.
AR learned a lot at the camp. Campers follow a strict itinerary starting the long day at 7am with breakfast. They hear speakers and attend class in the morning, then hit the field after lunch for conditioning and drills in the afternoon heat, followed by games in the evening. Rome said he enjoyed learning in the film sessions.
Austy will have to figure out which team to play for when he returns home. Taking the lessons learned from camp should make him a better player, along with some maturity. Some team will be fortunate to pick him up in the middle of the summer.
