- 1
- 2
- next
- | single page
Guard and middle linebacker Jason Thomen is strict about what he eats and drinks, and urges his teammates to do the same. (Sun photo by Christopher T. Assaf / October 17, 2007) |
Jason Thomen isn't shy about voicing his disapproval when he comes across a North Carroll football teammate gulping down soda. The senior is a strong believer that good nutrition leads to superior performance on the field - a notion he has often preached this season as a captain of the Carroll County power.
But as talented as he might be on the gridiron, where he stars as a guard and middle linebacker, Thomen is perhaps even more polished on the mat. As a wrestler last winter, he advanced to the Class 4A-3A state finals at 215 pounds.
He shows equal prowess in the classroom.
Thomen plans to attend the University of Maryland, not for its athletics, but rather for its engineering program. As for sports, he will be content to play at the club level but plans to leave the door open for a possible walk-on to either the football or wrestling teams.
As a junior, you were a first-team All-County wrestler and second-team All-County football player. Do you have a longer history in one of those sports?
I played football for two years when I was younger, then all throughout high school. I just started wrestling in high school.
Do you have a favorite? Is there one that you plan to continue at the college level?
I'm not sure about continuing right now, but I can't really choose a favorite. It seems like in each season, I say, "Oh, this is my favorite sport," then once it gets to the next season, I'll say, "Oh, I like wrestling better now."
I can only imagine that football must be quite a bit more fun this season, given the way you've started.
Oh yeah, it's been a lot better than previous years.
Has your success this season been a big surprise, considering that the program had only experienced one winning season over the past two decades?
No, I don't think so. The coaches and all the players knew that if we worked hard, and if we did the things we were supposed to do, that we could have a season like this. Things like working hard in the offseason, not getting into trouble and getting good grades.
As a team captain, what kind of a role have you personally played in that?
I'm starting to be more of a leader now. I definitely tried to get guys out in the summer, and got on them if they didn't show up.
Now that the team has experienced some success, how has that affected the students at school? Are they more excited about the program than they used to be?
We've had a lot more people getting excited about us and coming to games. In years past, we'd struggle to get fans out, but that's all changed.
The team is off to its best start since 1978. Now, you've really got the toughest part of your schedule to come over the final weeks of the regular season. What do you need to do to prepare for that?
We're going to keep on working, whereas I think some other teams kind of just level off in terms of getting better. We're going to keep working, lift weights and things like that, and try to put everything together to play full games.
On a personal note, you switched from nose guard to middle linebacker this season. How has that transition gone for you?
But as talented as he might be on the gridiron, where he stars as a guard and middle linebacker, Thomen is perhaps even more polished on the mat. As a wrestler last winter, he advanced to the Class 4A-3A state finals at 215 pounds.
He shows equal prowess in the classroom.
Thomen plans to attend the University of Maryland, not for its athletics, but rather for its engineering program. As for sports, he will be content to play at the club level but plans to leave the door open for a possible walk-on to either the football or wrestling teams.
As a junior, you were a first-team All-County wrestler and second-team All-County football player. Do you have a longer history in one of those sports?
I played football for two years when I was younger, then all throughout high school. I just started wrestling in high school.
Do you have a favorite? Is there one that you plan to continue at the college level?
I'm not sure about continuing right now, but I can't really choose a favorite. It seems like in each season, I say, "Oh, this is my favorite sport," then once it gets to the next season, I'll say, "Oh, I like wrestling better now."
I can only imagine that football must be quite a bit more fun this season, given the way you've started.
Oh yeah, it's been a lot better than previous years.
Has your success this season been a big surprise, considering that the program had only experienced one winning season over the past two decades?
No, I don't think so. The coaches and all the players knew that if we worked hard, and if we did the things we were supposed to do, that we could have a season like this. Things like working hard in the offseason, not getting into trouble and getting good grades.
As a team captain, what kind of a role have you personally played in that?
I'm starting to be more of a leader now. I definitely tried to get guys out in the summer, and got on them if they didn't show up.
Now that the team has experienced some success, how has that affected the students at school? Are they more excited about the program than they used to be?
We've had a lot more people getting excited about us and coming to games. In years past, we'd struggle to get fans out, but that's all changed.
The team is off to its best start since 1978. Now, you've really got the toughest part of your schedule to come over the final weeks of the regular season. What do you need to do to prepare for that?
We're going to keep on working, whereas I think some other teams kind of just level off in terms of getting better. We're going to keep working, lift weights and things like that, and try to put everything together to play full games.
On a personal note, you switched from nose guard to middle linebacker this season. How has that transition gone for you?
The Baltimore Sun's All-Metro selections in baseball, softball, boys and girls lacrosse, and boys and girls track and field. Other teams are listed below:
