Athlete Spotlight: Andrew Gordon

Freshman Aspires to Enter the Naval Academy
By Tayiana Kishoiyian
Staff Writer  
 
Freshman Andrew Gordon is not only a remarkable athlete who plays for the Woodlynde Varsity Soccer and Lacrosse teams, he is also an outstanding worker
outside of school.

Andrew participates in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, where he oversees a division of cadets. He also was in the Junior Olympics for water polo, a sport he practices four times a week at The Haverford School.
Andrew hopes to return this summer for the Junior Olympics in California.
 
How hard is water polo for someone who’s never played?
“If you can swim, you’re fine. If you can’t, don't bother playing. Swimming is 90 percent of the sport.”
 
How many goals have you scored?
“Around 100” this year.
 
Is it a physical game?
“Yes, very. I almost drowned a kid when I got mad.”
 
Your team is trying to make the Junior
Olympics?
“Yes, we went last year, bombed our games, so we are going back [to California this summer] to try again.”
 
     After he graduates from high school, Andrew is planning to enroll in the Naval Academy, then enter the Navy.
 
What program are you in?
“U.S. Naval Sea Cadets,” which, according to its website, is “a national youth leadership development organization that promotes interest and skill in naval disciplines while instilling strong moral character and life skills through leadership and technical programs modeled after the Navy's professional development system.”
 
What do you do?
“Basically, when you go to drills in your home unit, you have some classes, you do it, and you get awards.”
“I'm the leading petty officer of the division, so I oversee the other cadets there. We are all different ranks, so it's fun getting new recruits.”
“In the program, there are a wide variety of trainings you can do around the country. But first you go through basic training.”
 
How often do you attend?
“Two times every month.”
 
What inspired you to be in the Navy?
“My Russian heritage and Steve Garrett in Hawaii Five-0. Every man in the Russian country is required to go into the military, so I am basically carrying out that fine tradition.”
 
What is something that you enjoy about the Navy?
“The teamwork and knowing you have people who have your back 24/7.”
 
Is the training hard?
“Yes, lots of training and tests. The test that we have to take is about 80 to 90 questions and they talk about things I haven't even learned, so I must learn things on my own. And during training, it takes time, money, and hair,” because participants need to get their head shaved.
 

A Coach’s Praise
 
Mr. Fletcher, Andrew’s Varsity Basketball coach, said:
“Honestly, I think that the military fits him. You can tell how passionate he is about it, and I say that because he is more about other people than he is about himself, and … that's not something you hear a lot, especially from a kid that is in ninth grade.

“Andrew has a never quit attitude. Andrew is probably 5’6” or 5’8”, but he can bench press over 165 pounds, so I think that he would be a perfect fit for the military.”
 
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Woodlynde School is a private, co-ed college prep day school located in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that serves intelligent, talented students with learning differences in grades K - 12. Woodlynde provides a comprehensive, evidence-based Kindergartenelementarymiddle and high school program in a challenging yet nurturing environment for students with average to above average cognitive abilities (IQ) who have language- or math-based learning differences (such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia or Dyscalculia), Executive Function Challenges, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or Auditory Processing Disorder. Even for those students without a diagnosed learning disability (LD), Woodlynde offers expert and caring teachers in small classroom settings that support academic success. Woodlynde School also offers a post-graduate (PG) program in partnership with Rosemont College as well as a regional Summer Camp for students who learn differently.