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Springstead High senior Scott Wern inks with Campbellsville University to wrestle collegiately beginning next fall. Attending the signing was, left to right, Scott Wern Sr., Elizabeth Wern and Springstead Head Coach Eric Swensen.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: March 27, 2009

Listen up all you Wii generation kids.
Hey, skateboard dudes there's hope.
Just because you're not athletic and on a first-name basis with the drive-through gal at the local fast-food joint, don't worry you too could turn out to be a late bloomer.
Just ask F.W. Springstead senior Scott Oscar Wern.
This week, the self-described "fat and non-athletic kid", who was molded into a state runner-up this winter by the Head Coach Eric Swensen, assistant coach Sal Basile and the rest of the Eagle mat crew, signed of all things - an athletic scholarship to wrestle at NAIA Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, KY.
 
Wern 101

The 17-year-old Scott is the oldest of three children to Spring Hill's Scott and Elizabeth Ann Wern.
Wern, who was born in New Pot Richey, has resided in the Sunshine his entire life.
But unlike several of the gifted athletes currently in Hernando County, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Wern does not consider himself a member of that exclusive fraternity.
Prior matriculating to Springstead High, Wern attended Spring Hill Christian Academy - a non-member of the Florida High School Athletic Association.
According to Wern, "Yeah, we had a basketball team. But anyone who has seen me knows no way can I play."
Once at Springstead's Mariner Blvd. campus, Wern did play one season of jayvee football before finding his niche on the mats. Still, that wasn't easy either
In his only freshman JV match, he was pinned.
Yet, he stuck it out for three more varsity campaigns.
Why?
"I love the fact that it's an individual sport," he declared. "I like the individual recognition. You don't have to rely on teammates. You can't get help once you're out there and they can't hold you back."
What's his least favorite part of wrestling?
It's pretty easy to imagine.
"I hate running," quipped the stockily-built Wern. "I weigh 200 pounds. I'm just not real aero dynamic. Running really doesn't suit me."

Upward Climb

Despite his inauspicious start and lack of self confidence, Wern slowly became a force on the mats for the Eagles.
As a sophomore, Wern finished 6-9 overall and placed third at districts. The following week he was shown the state series door after going 0-2.
As a junior, Wern posted his initial winning record at 23-17 overall. His season was highlighted by defeating Dunedin's talented Danny Miller for the district title, 9-7.
The win over Miller was his first in an open bracketed tourney and it seemed to carry his momentum forward.
The magic continued in regionals as Wern went 4-1 at Poinciana to finish third and earn a tip to the coveted FHSAA Finals in Lakeland. His defining moment was defeating Brandon High's David Austin, who had defeated him previously at the Ippolito Tournament.
In Polk County, Wern's state dreams, however, evaporated after a 0-2 stay.
Looking back, Wern recalled, "Beating the Brandon kid after I had lost to him earlier was sweet. But when I went to states, my head was not in the right place. I think I peaked out too early. I was kinda satisfied with reaching my goal of getting to states."
As a senior, Wern took his growth on the mats to the next level.
He opened the season by capturing 10-of-11 matches.
In all, he placed in the top four in 9-of-10 tourneys.
He earned a gold medal at Ocala Forest, went 6-0 at the Gulf Duals before repeating as district champion.
In regionals, Wern stepped it up a notch capturing 2A-II Meet at 19 pounds by smothering George Jenkins' Trevor Brown, 16-5. In the process, he earned his second trip to The Lakeland Center but with a different approach - a will to win.
He won his first three matches to reach the 2A Finals before 11,000 fans in a rematch against Brandon's Mike Ettore. Wern liked his chance. He had folded Ettore during regionals, 10-2.
Wern also entered the state finale with momentum - carrying a career-best 13-match win streak.
Yet, Ettore pulled off the upset with 10-5 decision.
Wern's best-ever season closed at 41-7 overall and 70-33 lifetime.
To this day, Wern hasn't gotten over the loss to Ettore.
"Every time I look at my mom's photos of the match I get sick," said Wern. "The loss still stings. It messes with my head a lot. That guy was lucky.
"I wanted it (gold medal) more than anything else I've ever wanted," insisted Wern, who doubles as solid student carrying a 3.2 grade point average at SHS. "Hopefully, this (silver medal) makes me hungrier to wrestle in college."

Why the Campbellsville Tigers?

"When I went to the school I fell in love with the place," he recalled. "The wrestling program there has its own gym. And the school offer smaller class sizes."
What's Wern's area of academic concentration?
"They have courses on Homeland Security and criminal justice," said Wern. "I like ballistics and I'm real good in physics. Really in all my science classes, so I'll go into criminal justice or maybe the FBI or maybe become a federal agent."
What about leaving the nest?
"I'm very close to my family," said Wern. "And my dad said he can't wait for me to leave. He says the family will save hundreds of dollars in grocery bills."
The future?
"I'm looking forward to the fall," he replied. "I'm looking to meeting new people, getting a degree and wresting, too. Campbellsville is a private Christian school where you go to chapel once a week. It kinda fits me."
What will he miss most about Spring Hill?
"I'm gonna really miss some of my teammates, like Thad (Klenovich) and Dustin (Soto)," he said. "And all coaches. The coaching I received here speaks volumes of our program. They were able to take kid who is fat and non athletic and turn him into a state runner-up. They're real good here about motivating us to work harder."
Are you listening skater, dudes?

By the Numbers: Scott Wern (2006-09)
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO

YEAR  W L .PCT Pins
2006-07 6 9 .400 0
2007-08* 23 17 .575 6
2008-09+ 41 7 .854 25
TOTALS 70 33 .680 31
+ Denotes state runner-up
* Denotes state qualifier
 

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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