Small Town Hero

Mick and I rolled into Toledo with the intention of finding the breeding grounds of Team USA center and soon to be Ohio State Buckeye Jack Mewhort. With an interview scheduled with his high school head coach Doug Pearson of Saint John’s Jesuit High School for Wednesday, we decided to make a preliminary visit Tuesday afternoon. The high school had a completely different feel then Licking Valley High, the school we visited early in the day of fellow team USA member and OSU recruit Storm Klein.

Unlike Storm’s modest high school settled out in country and farm land of central Ohio, Mewhort Saint John’s High stands prominently in northern Toledo. With an incredible 54 acres of athletic facilities surrounding a massive and well kept school, it was immediate that St. John’s High breeds athletic and academic excellence.

Traveling north about 10 miles north we arrived in the quaint town of Sylvaina, the home of the All-American Mewhort. While Jack’s stature at 6’6’’ and 290 lbs is unmistakable and intimidating, his home town is anything but.  Sylvania is located just south of the Michigan border, with a flower garden and welcome sign greeting travelers. A true Main Street follows; directing the cars past a few older buildings before quickly leading them out of the 20,000 person town.

While Mewhort may come from a humble beginning, his play on the field is taking him to new and exciting places. From Saint John’s to Ohio State, and of course Canton for the Junior World Championship. Jack is on his way, soon to be putting Sylvaina on the map.

Till next time,

Matt