Practice is underway for USA Football's Junior National Team. The team has completed its first days of practice in preparation for the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship beginning Saturday, June 27. Incoming Ohio State freshmen Storm Klein and Jack Mewhort will be checking in periodically in the days leading up to the championships.  

Members of the team arrived at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, Saturday from 22 states, each soon to enter one of 33 college football programs. The team conducted its first practice Sunday afternoon, led by head coach Chuck Kyle of Cleveland St. Ignatius High School.

For more information visit USAFootball.com. 

Jack Mewhort
Q: Is practice what you expected, so far?
A: Practice is awesome -- it's a lot of fun just bonding with the other offensive linemen. I play against Storm and it’s really competitive, but we’re having fun.

Q: Describe the level of competition out here.
A: Oh, it’s crazy. The defense is one of the fastest I’ve ever seen, the quarterbacks are great, the offensive line is really nasty so hopefully we’ll come out with the gold.

Q: What does it mean to you to represent your country?
A: It’s awesome, I’ve never had the opportunity to represent my country before, so this is great.

Q: Have you played up to your personal expectations in camp thus far?
A: I’ve struggled a little bit, just because I’m rusty in my pass protection and stuff like that. Once I get the hang of it again I will be just as competitive and start knocking people down.

Q: What are you learning from this experience?
A: I’m learning a lot of technique from all of these awesome coaches. It’s really great.

Storm Klein
Q: Can you describe your game?
A: I feel that I am an aggressive player, I move downhill and I go fast. I also play with power. To make tackles you've got to be aggressive and ready to hit.

Q: Is this experience what you expected so far, playing for USA Football?
A: Well when I was getting ready to come here for camp I was wondering if I was going to get along with the other linebackers, and the rest of the guys, but everyone here is really cool. The guys are all the same and we're all here for the same reason -- to win and play for our country.

Q: How's the competition out here on the practice field?
A: The competition is great -- you're out here with the best incoming freshmen in the nation. You really have to push yourself to stay on top of your game. Everything turns into a competition out here, with that you make a lot of great team bonds too, between both blue (defense) and white (offense) teams.