This week’s Wendy’s of Santa Clarita and SCVTV Student Athlete of the Week is Andrew Eichten of West Ranch. Andrew has a 4.39 GPA and he scored 2250 on the SAT. He’s not sure what he wants to study in college, but he DOES know what he goes NOT want to study.

“I’m not a math or science guy,” Andrew said.

And when it comes to a career, Andrew hasn’t yet zeroed in on that either.

“Anything that allows me to make enough money to support my family,” the senior defensive lineman said. “(I want to) have a nice family and ‘live the dream,’ as Coach Collins always says.”

Despite not knowing the specifics of his future dreams, there is one college he has his eye on.

“My dream school would be Columbia,” he said. “But I’d love to go to Cal, I’d love to go to UCLA or USC. All those schools would be great places to attend.”

Andrew turns to an interesting person when it comes to mentors.

“My older brother has always been a good guy,” said Andrew, who prefers to go by Ace. “When I was a freshman there were some seniors I looked up to, like Brady Stuart and Tyler Killingsworth. They were just always nice guys, even though they were seniors they would always say hi to me, a freshman. So I try to do that now.

All athletes have to find the balance between the rigorous demands of their sport AND academics. For Andrew the two work well together.

“They actually work in a pretty good relationship because when you’re on the field you can just think about football,” he said. “You don’t have to think about school or your social life at all. When I do get home I’m ready to study and I’m ready to relax a little bit, if you can call studying relaxing.

Andrew knows the quality of his education ultimately effects no one but him.

“My parents don’t get on me like some parents would,” Andrew said. “They’ve always said if you want to do well in school that’s something you’re going to have to do yourself. I take pride in knowing that a lot of my good grades… is because it’s what I want. It’s not what my parents want, it’s not what anyone else wants. It’s what I want.”

Congratulations to Andrew Eichten of West Ranch High School, the Wendy’s of Santa Clarita and SCVTV Student Athlete of the Week.