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Until his senior year in high school, Alex Henery had focused on nothing else but soccer.
Since he was 4 years old, he was on the field, chasing after the balls. After all, wouldn't it be boring to kick an oddly shaped ball that's just sitting there?
But during his last year of high school at Omaha Burke, something changed.
After taking his junior high gym teacher's advice, Henery had tried out and made the Burke football team his freshman year. Six years later the stakes have risen on the football field for Henery.
He's kicking for Nebraska.
"Up until my senior year, (soccer) was really all I thought about doing because I was the 'star' soccer player, I guess you could say," Henery said. "I didn't really realize I could play football until I got looked at by a lot of people."
The idea of playing football starting looking better as his senior year wore on. Even though he was burnt out on soccer, Henery took his time deciding, since he was choosing between not just two schools, but two sports.
He had a scholarship offer from Creighton and a walk-on spot with the Cornhuskers. His dad, Guy Henery, said he and his wife, Mary, didn't want to interfere with their son's decision, so they left it completely up to him.
"He wasn't one to reveal his feelings one way or the other - he was pretty hard to read," Guy said. "But if he was playing soccer or (football), we've enjoyed watching him in every sport."
The decision has paid off for Henery. Seeing playing time earlier than he expected, he's collected three field goals on three attempts, with his longest a 37-yarder in the second quarter of Nebraska's loss to USC on Saturday.
What won Henery the top field goal-kicking spot for the Huskers was not just his range or the strength of his leg, but his personality, said NU Assistant Coach Bill Busch.
With his calm demeanor and steady focus, it seems Henery was made for the job.
"You know, what I can say about Alex is he brings all of his talent that he has to practice every single day," Busch said. "He's so steady. He never has an up-and-down day whatsoever."
This consistency is something that builds trust, Henery said.
With little emotion and lots of stability, he hopes his coaches and teammates will never worry about calling his number for a game-winning kick. He's never been in that position before, but Henery said he thinks it would be fun, even though it's just like every other kick.
"I was reading an article (Wednesday) that said I don't get excited," Henery said. "But with kicking you have to be on the same level. It's a lot of mental (work). You can't let your emotions get in the way."
Besides his personality, Henery certainly has talent. He said his longest field goal was a 57-yarder during fall camp, but added that he's confident in anything ahead of the 50-yard line.
With Henery's athleticism and strong, fast leg, Busch said he has remained impressed.
"It's like golf and club swing," Busch said. "You have a guy with great club speed and 'Bam.' He can just snap the ball. It's the same thing. That's what Alex does really well."
katelynkerkhove@dailynebraskan.com
