Jared+Football

Jordan Melander December, 1, 2010 English 103 Hartman One Love ** The butterflies fluttering around in your stomach. The perspiration dripping drop by drop off of your heated face. Nothing else traveling through your mind besides that exact moment in time. The dirt smudged across your face, arms, and legs. The pounding thump thump of your heart racing uncontrollably. The urge of extreme adrenaline flowing like a flood throughout every inch of your body. To an athlete, nothing feels more exhilarating than when all of these sensations build together. The true beautifulness of the passion and heart of an athlete. **   The evolution of an athlete is an amazing process. There are many athletes to admire and notice their growth and accomplishments, but there is one outstanding athlete that has truly impacted my life. This outstanding young man is my twin brother. Jared Melander was born 1991 in Mishawaka, IN to the proud parents of Dave and Louise Melander. From day one has always been something special. The fact that our parents were not suppose to reproduce, and he was so small that major efforts were done to make sure he lived on healthy as a bird is amazing in itself. As soon as he could walk he always would be carrying and throwing some sort of ball around. He was bound to be an extraordinary athlete from day one.                     Recipe For an Athlete: ¾ cup of Courage 7/8stick of Passion 3 heaping cups of Desire An oven to start the fire A pinch of Humbleness and Pride A FULL measure of HEART. Mix together firmly with hard work and do not give up on the final product. The outcome will be a true athlete. Childhood is where all the glory of sports begins. Being outside playing every possible second before Mom would call, “time for dinner!” was the occurrence of every single day. The day backyard football began behind the house, it never ended. Although Jared was one of the smallest and weakest boys out there he had something they didn’t. From day one of playing, Jared had this special twinkle in his eyes whenever he had the chance to touch a football. He wasn’t always picked first, sometimes even last, but this didn’t take anything away from him wanting to be out there. The one thing that has never been altered or perished is his love for the game. DREAM The day that would never be forgotten in our family happened in the third grade. All four of us went to Bittersweet Elementary School where hundreds of rambunctious overly-enthused boys were running around the gymnasium. Weigh-ins, measurements, health information, and emergency contacts were all taken. This day was the day of Granger Rocket Football sign-ups. Looking back now and remembering that four and a half foot, eighty-six pounder, shocks me that he ever even wanted to be out there getting tackled by kids twice his size! Jared started playing on the Panthers who went his first season without winning a single game. Jared was the “B” team quarterback, but started most of the games as a defensive back. The starting QB was in sixth grade, but Jared never got down on himself. Through all the practices and hard work, by Jared’s sixth grade and last year he led his team into play-offs as the starting quarterback with an undefeated season. They ended up taking and upsetting defeat first round, but looking back they truly were winners. Starting three years before without a win to never giving up and winning all but one game was the most immense of triumphs anyone could ask for. This day a dream was planted into an amazing little guy’s head.     Belief fuels enthusiasm, Enthusiasm explodes into passion, It fires our souls, and lifts our spirits. Schmucker Middle School was the building and forming of Jared’s true football skills. Middle School is really where you figured out what position you truly were meant to be. You were never guaranteed a time to play anymore, so working and sweating more than the guy next to you was not even a question. For the two years he played Jared started both ways playing outside linebacker and safety on defense, and as could be predicted was the quarterback on offense. This is where the boys were starting to grow up, and it wasn’t just fun and games anymore. The ones who didn’t take it seriously were left out to dry. This is where the true passion began, and the fire to win was without a question lit. J ust do it     A ll heart R eal passion E xplosive on the field D edicated to team play Wow did the year’s just zoom by. Freshman year football was about to begin. Would Jared get the job with all these other hundreds of boys entering the well known Penn power house? The courage to step up and be a leader is all Penn ever needed, and Jared took the high risk and filled these big shoes. Junior Varsity and Varsity is what it all was built up for all these years. Jared was not the quickest of the strongest still, and it seemed as if the coaches were always trying someone else to take his position. Seems like anyone would feel self defeat without having those surrounding them believing them. No, Jared never once gave up. To those who don’t know this young man truly have no idea what inner strength means to its fullest potential. Another player started in his spot for a few games, but the leadership and drive that Jared contained just wasn’t on the field when he wasn’t. His junior year he was the second string quarterback so he started on JV. The second game the Kingsmen were playing one of the best teams in the entire state of Indiana. Penn was down three touchdowns to none, when the coaches knew they needed to make a change. The crowd watched as number eleven ran onto the field to replace the starter. The first drive Melander was in, he hooked up on a pass with one of the running backs for a touchdown. The crowd went absolutely berserk as it seemed there was no hope. He completed most of his passes and brought back his team to only losing by single digits. After coming in and putting on a show, Jared started the rest of the year. PASSION  The fact of the matter was that nothing could keep this kid down in the dumps. He went out there on the field with everything he had and left it all out on the field. His junior year he led the Kingsmen all the way to semi-finals where he was knocked out and taken in an ambulance to the Carmel Hospital. Leaving many people in tears and fear was quite an awful way to end such a successful season in the hospital. Some psychologists would be shocked due to an almost horrific incident that anyone would want to step back on a football field. Jared didn’t even second guess it and was back in the gym preparing for his senior season just weeks later. Go PENN Go!

 Commander Melander #11 Senior year, starting quarterback for a team that was at one point ranked number one seems to be quite the fantasy. No, this was reality. Once again, the coaches tried to get someone to feel the Kid’s shoes, but it just could not be done. The scrimmage before the season opener was underway. Helmets and shoulder pads pounding into each other. These boys were out and ready for blood. Penn pulled away with an easy win, but also with a loss at the same time. During the scrimmage senior leader, Jared, tore his right labrum located in his shoulder. Could any other obstacle be thrown at this amazing athlete? He suffered through pain every day, but this was senior year of high school. This is what all the kids in Rocket Football dream of to be one day like he had once himself. Jared and the Penn Kingsmen ended up losing sectionals that year and to their biggest rival, which was quite a devastating blow. People around the town put down and were rude to many of the players, but all of these players said that Jared would be one of the first to be there to pick them up. They were a family, a brotherhood, a team. These losses were a huge blow, but many people forget the accomplishments the made. They started off the season beating some of the best teams in the state, which Penn usually never does. They beat a top ranked team on our field that has never occurred in history. The 2010 Kingsmen were ranked number one in the state for a few weeks. They only lost two games all year and both losses were to the same team. This to all those hardworking young men and my brother, is nothing what so ever to hang your head about. PRIDE

The Boys of Fall by Kenny Chesney (Lyrics) When I feel that chill and smell that wet cut grass I’m back in my helmet cleats and shoulder pads Standin in the huddle listenin to the call Fans going crazy for the boys of fall They didn’t let just anybody in that club Took every ounce of heart sweat and blood To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall King of the school man we’re The Boys of Fall Well it’s turnin’ to face the stars and stripes It’s fighting back them butterflies It’s call it in the air alright, yes sir we want the ball And it’s knockin heads and talkin trash It’s slinging mud and dirt and grass It’s I got your number, I got your back When your backs against the wall You mess with one man you got us all The boys of Fall In little towns like mine it’s all they got Newspaper clippings fill the coffee shops The old men will always think how they know it all Young girls will dream of The Boys of Fall Well it’s turnin’ to face the stars and stripes It’s fighting back them butterflies It’s call it in the air alright, yes sir we want the ball And it’s knockin heads and talkin trash It’s slinging mud and dirt and grass It’s I got your number, I got your back When your backs against the wall You mess with one man you got us all The boys of Fall Well it’s turnin’ to face the stars and stripes It’s fighting back them butterflies It’s call it in the air alright, yes sir we want the ball And it’s knockin heads and talkin trash It’s slinging mud and dirt and grass It’s I got your number, I got your back When your backs against the wall You mess with one man you got us all The boys of Fall The boys of fall (The boys of fall, the boys of fall..) We’re the boys of fall

Rituals:  · Watching Remember the Titans every Thursday night before games  · Same under shirt every game  · Prayer at church every Friday morning with Josh <span style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Silence walking through the halls on game day <span style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Ankles taped <span style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Didn’t eat anything within 4 hours of game-time <span style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Always taped left wrist <span style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Ran near the back of the team <span style="font-family: 'Segoe Script','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Diary Entry: Friday Night Emotions <span style="font-family: 'Segoe Script','sans-serif';"> Waking up on a Friday morning during the fall of my high school career brought about emotions never felt in any other circumstance. Throughout the day of school I wander through the halls basically non-existent. I rarely speak any words and if I do they are few, and far between. I focus on the task ahead the upcoming night. As game time approaches I eventually move my solitude into the locker room. While some people get their emotions raging to play a game. I on the other hand stay calm and just focus. I let everyone else let their emotions roar, and I just let my brain do the work. Running on the field and hearing the roar of the crowd is indescribable. I would give anything in the world to feel the emotion of running out onto the field one more time. <span style="font-family: 'Segoe Script','sans-serif';"> By: Jared Melander <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%;"> A little backyard football is where it begins Then turns into a dream. Then the beginning of a firing passion. Dig deep for courage, and drive never to quit. The glory, and the pride that comes with it…Amazing.. The intensity and determination to push through pain of injury. The humbling experience of now watching from the stands… Newspaper Article : Newspaper Article : By MATT KOPSEA South Bend Tribune Staff Writer VALPARAISO — Penn's “Wild Bunch” took no prisoners Friday night. Penn trounced Valparaiso 21-0 Friday night on Valpo's home turf. Linebacker Sam Burden had an interception to go with a touchdown saving tackle in the third quarter to help Penn preserve a 21-0 blanking of No. 7 (Class 5-A) Valparaiso in high school football action at a soggy Viking Field. Senior running back Gary Downey's 13-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter proved to be all the offense the Kingsmen (1-0) needed as the Penn defense limited Valpo (0-1) to zero first downs and 15 total yards in the first half. “With all the talent they have at the skill positions, we knew we had to get a lot of pressure on them,” said Penn coach Cory Yeoman. “I thought we did a good job of containing them by blitzing a little more and getting hard after them. We've still got a ways to go, but beating a great opponent like Valparaiso sure helps a lot.” A bad snap to Valpo punter Michael Perkins in the late stages of the opening period paved the way for Penn to tally its first score. Nick Mills came up with the tackle of Perkins putting the Kingsmen in good shape at the Valpo 13. Downey, who finished with 24 carries for 105 yards, quickly took care of business. “Both of our backs (Downey and sophomore Emerson Marenyi) ran well, but a lot of the credit goes to our offensive line,” Yeoman said. “Even when (senior guard) Steve Denman went down (left leg injury in the first quarter), our guys never missed a beat. Ryan Anglemyer and Nick Johnson are two seniors that stepped in and kept us moving in the right direction.” Although the Kingsmen missed a 35-yard field goal on the opening play of the second quarter, they would bounce back on their next possession. Quarterback Jared Melander hooked up with Alex Hendershot on a 44-yard strike to the Valpo 6. Three plays later, the senior signal caller would cap off the 50-yard march with the first of two one-yard scores. Melander finished 2-of-3 passing for 45 yards and had six carries for two yards. Marenyi ended up with 12 carries for 66 yards. “Jared did a great job of managing the game, which is all we asked of him,” Yeoman said. “He made some good decisions and let the guys around him help him out.” A fumble recovery by Tyler Yeoman of a muffed punt by Perkins set the stage for Melander's second score with 41.4 seconds left in the half. In all Penn held the ball for more than 10 minutes in the second period. Jared will tell you how putting on that black and gold jersey was not to be taken for granted. Being part of it was a privilege, and I don’t know anyone more than Jared who showed the glory and pride that comes along with Penn football. Jared played the entire season with a torn labrum and slight fractures in the shoulder bone still throwing impressive passes when his coaches would allow him to throw. Just because he was hurt he did not try to get out of any of the hard work, he was always there next to one of his buds pushing him and himself to their fullest potential. He didn’t necessarily always make big plays, but he prevented from making stupid ones. Being the star wasn’t top priority to him, he just made the plays happen for the team’s success. Some games he only got the play calls to throw three times total, but let me tell you those passes would be on target. Jared’s drive isn’t something you can teach someone. It is something you are born with. Jared Melander exemplified the meaning of true passion of an athlete. Jared never lost love for the game as he always played with his heart no matter what. This passion for football will never die and the game will always be a part of him. ** <span style="font-family: 'Agency FB','sans-serif'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races, one after the other.” – Walter Elliot ** Accomplishments: Granger Rocket Football League: Most Valuable Player Undefeated Season Schmucker Middle School: Iron Man Award 2 Year Letter Winner Penn High School: Freshman Undefeated Season 3 Year Letter Winner 2 Year Northern Indiana Conference - Honorable Mention Co-Captain 20-4 as a Varsity Starter Threw for over 2000 yards at nearly 60% completion rate - 1 interception Sr. year Burger King Outstanding Student Athlete of the Week WSBT / South Bend Tribune - Sports Fest Metro All Star Granger Rocket Football LEAGUE - Scholarship Recipient ** <span style="font-family: 'Agency FB','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Jared’s favorite quote: ** **  "Fans like to take the elevator to the penthouse, but men, we have to climb the stairs." - Coach Cory **<span style="font-family: 'Agency FB','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Agency FB','sans-serif'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> HEART