The school sports season is about to begin in earnest and The Sun’s new sports reporter is ready to cover everything.

Roman West started a week ago and has been getting settled into the position and the community.

West, a Somerset native and recent graduate of the University of Kentucky, said he has always been a sports fan. Journalism offers a way to enjoy sports and writing.

“I started as an engineering major,” he said. “I did one semester and I hated it. I didn’t start journalism until my second year of college. I already enjoyed English and creative writing. I thought it would be cool to go to a UK game for free and talk to the players.”

West spent two years working at UK’s campus newspaper covering sports.

“I ended up being the beat writer for the women’s basketball team,” he said. “I ended up covering all the UK sports.”

Covering the women’s team, he said, gave him an opportunity to interact with the players and coaches that’s not always possible with higher-profile programs, like the men’s basketball team.

“When you go to the men’s game, there’s 50 people covering it,” he said. “When you go to the women’s game, it’s more intimate. You get to sit down and connect with the players.”

West said he looks forward to getting to know Clark County’s athletes and coaches as the year progresses.

With football season starting in a couple weeks and a new field, West said he is excited to see how the season goes.

West said he is a big basketball fan, between UK and the NBA.

“I really like the Golden State Warriors because It’s the best basketball I’ve seen,” he said. “I’ve gotten to cover the UK-Louisville men’s basketball, which was cool, but I think the NBA finals would be even cooler than that.”

West lives in Lexington with his girlfriend and their cat, Merlin.