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JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Focus on . . . Jack Mewhort
Friday, June 26, 2009
Each day leading up to and continuing through the inaugural Junior World Championship football tournament, Plain Dealer sports writer Tim Rogers will introduce you to one of the participants.


Name: Jack Mewhort.

Team: USA Football.

Hometown: Toledo.

High School: St. John's.

College: Ohio State.

Height: 6-6. Weight: 285.

Position: Center.

The lowdown: An All-Ohio center, he also alternated between tackle and guard. He was included in Super Prep Midwest's Top 25.

Q: Who are the greatest influences in your life?

A: My parents, Don and Gail.

Q: What is the greatest game you've ever played in?

A: A first-round playoff game my junior year. We played North Canton Hoover and the game went five overtimes and it rained the whole game. We lost, but it was an awesome game.

Q: What's your favorite spot in Toledo?

A: Probably the Toledo Zoo. It's nationally known.

Q: Hamburger or hot dog?

A: Hamburger.

Q: Steak or lobster?

A: Steak.

Q: Mexican or Chinese?

A: Mexican.

Q: What's on your iPod?

A: Mostly rock, like AC/DC and Ozzy Osbourne. But I also have stuff like Lil Wayne, just in case the mood strikes me.

Q: If you could be a rock star, who would you be?

A: Mick Jagger.

Q: What's your greatest fear?

A: Heights.

Q: Gatorade or Powerade?

A: Gatorade, lemon-lime.

Q: Have you ever given flowers to a girl?

A: No.

Q: If you could have dinner with any three people, who would you choose?

A: The guy who invented the wheel, Jesus and Browns lineman Joe Thomas.

Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want with you?

A: A recliner, plenty of sunscreen and my springer spaniels, Maggie and Lilly.

Q: How well do you adapt to change?

A: Not so good at first, but I usually adjust later on.

Q: What is your first football memory?

A: Playing tackle football in the fourth grade.

Q: Were you thinking about a college scholarship when you began playing?

A: No. I played because my dad made me. I was a fat, little kid.

Q: Who is the best teammate you ever had?

A: Tim Kynard at St. John's. He's at Illinois now.

Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is that "USA" across the front of your jersey?

A: 11

Player profile: Ohio State University recruit Jack Mewhort of Toledo - cleveland.com