Former Española Valley High School basketball star Kaitlyn Romero is ready to take the next step at Fort Lewis College.
The 2016 Northern New Mexico Female Athlete of the Year and junior-to-be has completed two up-and-down years on the Skyhawks’ women’s basketball team, but both her and her head coach, Jason Flores, believe Romero’s best years are ahead of her.
“The fruits of her labor are going to come in her junior and senior years, I really believe that,” Flores said. “She could have went other places and played more right off the bat, but she’s worked hard and always competes. If you had 16 kids like her on your team, you’d be in good shape.”
Romero had her biggest contributions during her freshman campaign, where she averaged 23 minutes of playing time and 5.5 points per game.
“When I first got there, everyone on the team was brand new, for the most part, and I fit in well,” she said.
Coach Flores explained that during Romero’s sophomore year, stronger recruits were brought in and the rotation tightened up.
“We had a larger senior class last year,” he said. “The timing of things is sometimes hard because we had a smaller rotation at guard her freshman year.”
Romero said she never got down once her minutes decreased because she had her sights set at competing at the highest level possible. Originally a commit to New Mexico Highlands University, she made the switch to Fort Lewis in hopes of competing for a conference championship and possible NCAA Division II tournament berth.
“When I was younger I looked up to my older brothers and they always pushed me to be the best player I could be,” she said. “Also, watching college basketball growing up, it’s just something I’ve always wanted to do. They (Fort Lewis) have always competed at a high level and even once for a national title. Getting to play at the highest level I could was what I wanted to do.”
The Skyhawks have gone 41-16 during Romero’s first two years, losing in the first round of the conference tournament both seasons.
Romero had her career-best performance against Eastern New Mexico on Nov. 12, 2016 as a freshman. She made five three-pointers for 15 total points.
“Besides adjusting to the pace of play, the biggest thing I’ve improved on is my three-point shooting,” Romero said about the progression of her game. “What I need to work on more is getting into the lane and driving and being able to set up my teammates.”
Flores said he expects Romero’s role will definitely increase, in similarity to her first season — and possibly more.
“There’s an opportunity for her to step up this coming year,” he said. “Being a junior will give her a leg-up and the guard rotation will be younger. It should give her a good chance.”
The SUN would like to know about any current collegiate athletes who have graduated from Española Valley, Pojoaque Valley, McCurdy Charter School, Escalante, Coronado, Mesa Vista and Dulce. Please contact us at dylan.bida@riograndesun.com. Contact us so the Sun can keep track of those players and their post-secondary careers. Just provide their name, what sport and what college they are currently attending for athletics.