HeB次元官网网址檚 the top-ranked B.C. high school football player in his position, number two in Canada and now Jake Ounsted is taking his game to the gridiron of the University of Massachusetts.
The Central Saanich student, who attends Mt. Doug Secondary and plays defensive tackle for the storied Rams football program, signed his commitment letter of intent to play for the Minutemen on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at school. It was National Signing Day for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States.
B次元官网网址淭here were some of my teammates, coaches and principal there,B次元官网网址� he said of the ceremonial signing.
He actually made official his intent to play that at the college in Amherst, Mass. last weekend, when the family visited there. Mom Cathie (a former District of Central Saanich councillor) and dad Chris, were there when he made his decision.
B次元官网网址淭he players and coaches there were super welcoming,B次元官网网址� Jake said in an interview, adding he liked what he saw at the school and in its sports facilities.
Already, the UMass football team (4-8 in 2017) has given Jake a workout regimen to follow. He said heB次元官网网址檒l be bigger, faster and stronger by the time he travels to Amherst to join the team.
ThatB次元官网网址檒l happen after he graduates from Mt. Doug in the spring. He said heB次元官网网址檚 been getting straight-As in school and is looking at enrolling in business courses at UMass, to possibly attain his CPA. Jake added the Minutemen will already be in training camp by the time he arrives but he plans on working out five times a week in order to be ready. UMassB次元官网网址� first scheduled game of the 2018 season is August 25 against the Duquesne Dukes.
Jake has played football at Mt. Doug for four years and he credits his coaches, particularly Mark Townsend, with helping him develop his game.
B次元官网网址淭he coaches are really committed there,B次元官网网址� he said of the Rams.
HeB次元官网网址檚 been playing football for around eight years, starting with the Peninsula Wildcats and going to Mt. Doug after his Grade 8 year on the Peninsula.
B次元官网网址淚 realized if I kept working hard, I could do well,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really paid off so far.B次元官网网址�
Jake played for Team BC last summer, representing the province in Halifax at the nationals, where they surprised many people after a long hiatus from the event, finishing fifth.
His goal is to reach the pros B次元官网网址� either the CFL or the NFL. HeB次元官网网址檚 followed the career of Christian Covington, a B.C. player in his position who went to Rice University in Houston, Texas in 2011. Covington was drafted by the Houston Texans of the NFL in the fifth round in 2015. Jake said his example showed him that itB次元官网网址檚 possible to reach a very high level in the sport.
For now, Jake said heB次元官网网址檚 concentrating on finishing high school and training for the next level.
Asked if his parents are proud of him and ready to see him go, he said they were a little upset that UMass is so far away.
B次元官网网址淏ut theyB次元官网网址檙e pretty proud of how far IB次元官网网址檝e come.B次元官网网址�
editor@peninsulanewsreview.com
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