Introducing U: Lexi Castellano
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – St. Andrew’s School graduate Lexi Castellano is one of three freshmen on the University of Miami soccer team from the Sunshine State.
A midfielder from Boca Raton, Fla., Castellano talked with HurricaneSports.com about how it was her goal to play at Miami, reuniting with a past teammate and a lot more . . .
Q: You’ve been at Miami for two weeks now. How would you describe what it’s been like so far?
A: Amazing. The friendships I’ve created so far have been so cool. It’s so cool to be around all athletes all the time. I can’t wait for what it’s going to be like in the fall, though, with other students [also in school] to create those kinds of friendships, as well.
Q: How much does it help getting acclimated to school when you’re not that far from home, that you can go home on a weekend or your friends or parents can come down and visit you?
A: It’s pretty cool, but at the same time, you don’t want your parents coming all the time or you don’t want to visit all the time. So, I like that I have that opportunity, and other kids don’t. Like, Lauren [Markwith] has to go to California. That’s a long plane ride, like six hours, when I have an hour car ride.
Q: Did you grow a Miami fan and was it always your dream to come to the University of Miami?
A: Yeah, it was always my goal to get here. My major goal was to play for UM, and now I’m here so I’m super excited and I can’t wait to start.
Q: When that opportunity became reality, when you committed to come here and it was what you had dreamed of doing, what was that moment like for you?
A: It was crazy. I was super excited. And then when I senior year came around, I was like, “Wow this is actually going to happen. I have a year.” And then a few months came and I was like, “[Sigh, Laughter] Getting nervous now.” And then I got here and I [thought], “This is amazing.” This is exactly what I thought it would be like and I’m so ready for college.
Q: Other than it being your childhood favorite, what about Miami or about the UM soccer program made you want to come here?
A: I love how all the athletic teams are so close together. We’re all friends and they’re just so cheerful and happy about everything. Other teams come to other sports games and stuff like that. They’re all like family, kind of, and I really like that aspect about Miami, and how close-knit the athletes are to each other.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about the season?
A: Scoring some goals and winning some games.
Q: There aren’t that many upperclassmen here right now, but from your experiences and communications with them throughout time, how much has that helped you to kind of get adjusted and know what to expect in coming to UM?
A: They always are there for us no matter what. We have questions, they answer them. We want to run, they’ll run with us. They’re always there for us. They always try to include us in their plans, also. A couple other older teammates of mine who play for UM right now, they are already on the pre-med track, so they said if I have any questions, just go to them. That’s really cool to have that kind of friend or teammate who’s also interested in the same thing you are.
Q: You’ll also be reuniting with a former high school teammate, Catalina Perez. How cool is that, four years later to be teammates with her again?
A: It’s super cool. I remember freshman year of high school and I was just talking to her. I was like, “Does this go by quickly? Are you excited for Miami?” Just asking these questions [of her, and she told me], “High school is going to fly by, so be ready. And, I can’t wait to go to Miami and I’ll be so close to home.” I was just like, “Wow, that’s so cool. Maybe I want to go to a big school, too. So, we’ll see. I really want to go to Miami, but I don’t know.” A couple years later—because I committed [verbally around the] end of sophomore year, beginning of junior year—she was just like, “I can’t believe you’re coming here, that’s amazing.” It was just a super exciting moment. We’re really good friends. Back at home we train together with the same trainer. We hang out all the time. So, I can’t wait to see what it’s like playing college ball with her.
Q: How would you describe the type of player you are?
A: I would say I’m a very skillful player. I use my feet a lot, doing moves and stuff like that. Other than that, I like taking shots from far out and I’m just very powerful in anything that I do. I’m very quick off the ball.
To learn more about the University of Miami soccer program, follow @CanesFutbol.
