Danielle Romanello knew growing up she wanted to play softball for the University of Florida. Coming from a family of Gators, Romanello made it her mission to get recruited by Florida. Having what her mom described as a "laser focus" for the Gators, Romanello fulfilled her life-long dream when she committed as an eighth grader to Tim Walton's squad.

We caught up with the 2017 Gold Coast Hurricane at the Rising Stars Fall Showcase this weekend to get to know a little bit more about this future Gator. 

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You're a rare left-handed catcher. What drew you to the position?
I started playing first base when I was young because I was a lefty. My dad told me, 'there will always be someone who hits better than you who plays first, so you need a backup position.' So during a little league game when we were just starting to use catchers, my coach asked if anyone wanted to catch and I volunteered. I've loved it ever since. When I was eight I asked for catchers gear -- it was all red!

Describe your recruiting process with Florida.
Both my parents went to Florida so it's kind of in my blood. I went to watch a Gators game when I was 10 and that really sparked my interest. I attended a camp when I was 12 and I was just amazed with Florida after the camp. That's when I became very focused on Florida. Coach Walton noticed me at that camp and we stayed in contact. I took my unofficial visit in March of 2013 as an eighth grader and committed on that visit.

I heard Coach Walton say this weekend that he likes left-handed first baseman. Have you been recruited to catch or play first?
I'll probably play some of both, but I was recruited for my hitting. Coach Walton says, 'If you can hit, you're in and you play.' 



What do you think the Gators need to do to three-peat this year, then four-peat your freshman year?
Just what they've been doing. Coach Walton is a great coach. He focuses on more than the softball -- the physical, mental, and team aspects. For him, it's not just about the player, it's about the team. One of my favorite sayings of his is, 'it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.'

What's been your favorite softball experience so far?
Winning back-to-back state championships with my high school, the Canterbury School of Florida, my eighth and ninth grade year.

Who is your favorite softball player?
Lauren Chamberlain! I'm obsessed with her. Even though I'm going to Florida, my mom got me an Oklahoma sweatshirt with her name on the back. 

Do you play any other sports?
Yes, I run cross country and play basketball. I'm not very good in cross country, but I do it to stay in shape. My cross country coach tells me, 'you're the fastest softball catcher in cross country' to encourage me. 


A true lefty behind the plate and at the plate, Romanello was recruited for her hitting and will most likely catch and play first for the Gators

What's playing on your iPod pre-grame?
No Role Modelz by J. Cole

When you're not on the field, where can we find you?
I do a lot of charity work through my church and with the Ronald McDonald House. I also just started helping coach a 10U team. 

Tell us one thing about yourself that other people may not know?
I have a black belt in American Taekwondo. The black belt process was so intense I had to take a year off from softball when I was younger in order to test for it.