Horace Mann athlete Owen Romatoski follows heart as tackler, teammate

WAUSAU, Wis. — At 13 years old and heading into eighth grade at Horace Mann Middle School in Wausau, Owen Romatoski is already building a reputation on the gridiron. With six years of football under his belt, along with four years of basketball and two years of track, Owen is focused, competitive and driven by a simple goal.

“I want to be the best I can be every game,” said Owen. “It would be awesome to make it to the NFL.”

Football is as much mental as it is physical, according to Owen.

“The biggest challenge is your mind, if you let it take over, you won’t play well,” he said.

He combats this by focusing on his breathing and reminding himself to stay in the moment. His father’s advice often echoes in his ears, ‘Watch the quarterback’s eyes so you know where the play is going.’ This is a tip Owen uses to sharpen his defensive instincts.

He also remembers advice from his coach, who once told him, ‘Get low and hold on to them when you tackle.’

What does Owen love most about football? He likes the chance to tackle other players, to grow stronger and to contribute to a team.

“I don’t really have a pre‑game ritual, but before each game I always say to myself, ‘I got this.’” said Owen.

Off of the field Owen tries to maintain a competitive edge, whether shooting hoops, running sprints or spending time with friends and family. Through his time as a teammate, he’s learned what it means to work and communicate with others and how those skills carry into life beyond sports.

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