Interview with SHS Soccer Player Jase Edmonson

 Welcome back to Off the Reels! To finish off the fall sports season, I interviewed a senior on the soccer team whose dedication and hard work haven’t gone unnoticed. Even after facing a season-ending injury, this athlete has been committed to supporting his team and getting back to 100% in every way possible.

Meet SHS Soccer Player Jase Edmonson…

Soccer story:

Jase first got an interest in soccer by watching his older brother play. He started out by playing in the SAY rec league and he fell in love. At the time he was playing baseball as well, but he enjoyed soccer because it was constant and fast-paced. Soccer has become a way that Jase and his brothers can bond and do something together that they all enjoy. 

Awards and accomplishments:

Jase has been on the varsity team for the past 3 years. All 4 years Jase earned “All-Academic Team” for his success in the classroom. In his junior year, he earned All-Conference Second Team and “Most Improved Player”. This past season he was a captain and provided strong leadership for his teammates.

Most memorable game:

One of Jase’s most memorable games from his soccer career at SHS was from his junior year when they faced Beavercreek. This was the first game he played right back which later became his new position. Jase and his teammates defeated the Beavers for the first time in program history. His team also advanced to beat Carroll in the District Semi-Finals. “It was a really special season for me and my team.”

Jase’s injury:

On August 18th, Jase had a normal pre-season training session. He was shooting with the inside of his right foot and once he landed, he heard 2 large pops in his knee. “Even before I hit the ground and heard my knee pop, I knew that was it.” He went to the doctor and they confirmed that he had torn his ACL and his meniscus. “To have everything taken away from me after all of the work I had been putting in was really tough.” At first, it was really difficult for Jase to come to terms with his injury and not being able to play for his senior season. He didn’t want to do anything and struggled with staying motivated. Despite this, he’s not done playing soccer and he wants to continue to improve despite the circumstances. “I’ve realized that this is just another obstacle, and by working hard I can come back stronger both mentally and physically.”

Recovery process:

Currently, Jase goes to physical therapy at Premier Health once a week to work on getting his range of motion back. As of right now, it’s still painful for him to fully straighten his leg. He’s doing everything he can to improve his mobility in hopes of having a quicker recovery. “All of my friends, family, and teammates have also had a huge impact on me during my recovery process.” Jase’s best friend Ian Wadsworth has helped him stay motivated and engaged. They have been going to the gym together since the end of junior year and Jase has not let his injury get in the way of that. “He’s one of the main reasons why I don’t sit around at home all day, and he and the rest of my teammates make going to practice enjoyable.”

Jase’s plans after graduation:

Jase has applied to his dream school Case Western and is hoping to go there and major in pre-med with a specialization in anesthesiology. His dream is to play soccer there; but, if not, he plans on still playing club or intramural. 

Favorite memory:

One of Jase’s favorite memories was beating St. Xavier in the District final and Mason in the Regional semi-final this past season. “Even though I couldn’t contribute on the field like I had hoped, it felt really good to be out there with the team celebrating.”

Advice for other athletes who experience injuries:

“It’s going to be incredibly tough at first and throw off all of your original plans. You just have to realize that if you work hard and do everything you can to get back in shape, you’ll come back even stronger.”

Congratulations to Jase and the rest of the soccer team for making it all the way to the Regional Finals this past season. Good luck to Jase throughout the rest of his recovery and his future after high school!