Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Declan O’Meara, New Trier football and rugby

Declan O’Meara is a senior in his third season as running back and a captain for the Trevians. He racked up more than 600 yards a season ago and also played linebacker for New Trier. O’Meara is also a standout for New Trier Rugby.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

Yes. Usually, I’ll have a C4 (Energy) on the bus over and then I like to stretch my hamstrings and calves. And my unique thing is I put Icy Hot on my face. It really wakes you up … right before we hit the field. I actually started it this one time I was very congested before a game and one of my friends said the Mexican national team rubs heat lotion on their face when they’re congested. I thought, ‘I’ll give it a shot.’

2. What do you hope to do next year?

I very much am hoping to play rugby at a service academy. I’m going (on visits) again this year and I’ll be shadowing the rugby team. … I’m really hoping I get a letter of interest after it. I’ve always really wanted to serve. It’s been my dream job, but parents told me I have to get a college degree before I go into the military, so what better place to do it than (a military academy).

3. Rugby or football?

Rugby. The way it works has really always interested me. It is constant carnage and action. The only time the game stops is for penalties or out of bounds. It’s a big team sport as well.

4. What are some of your earliest football memories?

I started in second grade, I’d say. I was a backup (defensive) tackle and was in fourth grade playing on the middle school junior team and … had like three plays in a row where I made tackles and that’s how I earned my place starting.

5. If you could try another sport, what would it be?

Probably hockey. My girlfriend plays hockey, and watching her games it looks really fun.

6. What is your favorite thing to do off the field?

I really like cooking. I gotta cook a lot to stay in shape so like meals that are healthy but still taste really good. That or learning about history. I’m like a history buff. Sometimes I combine the two; I make food from different time periods or events. The first time I ever tried it I made a meal for a Roman centurion — a lamb porridge-stew.

7. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

It probably would be Ireland. It’s my favorite place. I’ve been there two or three times.

8. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I’d buy Pedialyte and some Charleston Chews.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

That I like to read. People do not assume the rugby-football player likes to read. My dad just got me this book “Grit.” It’s pretty interesting, about which West Point (attendees) drop out and which succeed, based on their motivations.

10. What’s it going to take for New Trier football to get to where it wants to be this season?

Something we did very well last year was constant pursuit and effort, no mater what happened. Sometimes a sure touchdown only turned into 10 years because everyone was chasing. There were a lot of examples of that. Stop and contain. If we do that, I think we have the talent to make a good playoff run.

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