Where did he get his start? A tryout with New Lenox Mustangs paved way for Jake Wieclaw's success, first at Lincoln-Way Central and now at the University of Miami.
- SCHOOLS
- Ken Ryan
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
During his 16 years as the coach of the New Lenox Mustangs 10-year-old football team, Pat Athans always would give the players a chance to kick field goals before the start of each season. Only one was ever successful. “Jake (Wieclaw) was the first player to kick a field goal for me, and he was the last one,” said Athans, whose final season with the Mustangs was last season. “It’s hard to find a kid at that age that can kick. He kicked a 26-yard field goal and I said, ‘Well, the rest of you guys better find something else to do because we have our kicker.’ It’s pretty cool to see what he’s doing now.” After a record-setting career at Lincoln-Way Central, Wieclaw is currently the starting place-kicker for the University of Miami football …
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Reliving the Glory Days: After record-setting high school career with the Knights, Jake Wieclaw is now the starting placekicker for the Miami Hurricanes. He dreams of one day playing in the NFL.
- SPORTS
- Ken Ryan
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Wednesday, October 5, 2011
After successfully kicking his first collegiate field goal Sept. 5 against Maryland, University of Miami junior placekicker Jake Wieclaw couldn’t help but think about his first attempt at Lincoln-Way Central. Wieclaw booted a pressure-packed 30-yard field goal to give the Hurricanes a 24-23 lead with 4:01 remaining in the fourth quarter. Maryland, however, scored nine points in the final 1:39 to pull out a 32-24 victory and spoil Wieclaw’s heroic moment. “Believe it or not, it reminded me of high school,” said the 2007 Lincoln-Way Central graduate. “My second game ever as a freshman we were in a similar situation. We were in field-goal range and they sent me out there with a minute to go. I made the kick, but Andrew ended up throwing a …
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Lincoln-Way Central High School
1801 E Lincoln Hwy, New Lenox, IL
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Sgt. USMC
11:36 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
That kid could make it to the NFL. I know the Eagles are looking for a kicker right about now. more ›