Jake Schemper

Jake Schemper hoists the sectional-championship trophy Timothy Christian captured on its way to finishing second in Class 1A.
(For the Sun-TImes)

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Timothy Christian midfielder Jake Schemper is the Sun-Times Spotlight Player of the Week. Schemper has a Q&A session with Joe Trost. 

What was the feeling Sunday after finishing second at the boys soccer Class 1A state finals? I did have mixed emotions. I was initially upset because I never like to lose, but once that went away, I was very pleased with how far we went this season. It was bittersweet.

How many people gave Timothy a chance to beat Gibault — the three-time defending champion — in the semifinals? I don’t think many people gave Timothy a chance. Just saying that they won state for the past three years in a row can kind of shut someone down to even the possibility of winning. Thankfully, we came through on it. Our motto going in was, ‘‘To beat the best, you have got to be the best.’’

Who got you involved in soccer and at what age? My parents got me involved in soccer, and I was on my first team at the age of 4.

What did you like the most about playing high school soccer? The thing I liked most was hanging out with all my teammates. I was on varsity all four years, so I had the chance to meet and gel with four different teams, which was real fun.

What were some of your individual accomplishments that you’ll always remember from your high school career? I have done a lot of things in my four years: making the all-sectional team, the Pepsi Showdown all-tournament team, all-conference for three years and getting second in state. But the best thing is probably getting to state. It is what you dream of as a little kid, and getting there finally was just surreal.

They say games are won and lost in the midfield. What do you think?
I am a firm believer of that saying. The midfield determines the tempo of the game and also sustains the possession. If you don’t have those things, then you can be on your heels the whole game — and that is when things really get scary. Plus, it is a lot more fun to play in a game if you are playing with good tempo and possession.

What club do you play for in the offseason? This year I made the move from Downers Grove Roadrunners to Eclipse Select.

Do you have any superstitions? I am not a superstitious person. I used to be, but my take on superstition is it just gives you more to overcome mentally. I like to be a pretty relaxed player.

If you had not gone to Timothy Christian, what public high school would you have attended? If I didn’t go to Timothy, I would have gone to Oak Park.

What is in store for your soccer career from this point forward? I am pretty undecided. My top three schools are Hope College, Grinnell  and Wake Forest. If I go to Wake Forest, I would attempt to walk on.

What is on your iPod? U2, Coldplay, and Dave Matthews Band. I do have a collection of rap music that I listen to before games. My favorite pump-up song is probably the theme song from ‘‘Pirates of the Carribean,’’ because it really gets me focused and pumped.

Who is in your Fave Five? I don’t have a Fave Five because I have AT&T, but if I could have any five, they would be: my girlfriend, Arsene Wenger (coach of Arsenal FC), Cesc Fabregas (my favorite soccer player), Kaka and my brother Ben.