Jake Mehlman: Master on the Mats

Jake Mehlman, 17, is in the top 11 percent in his class. He is in his senior year at the and has an exciting year ahead of him. He is the captain of the varsity wrestling team at the high school and has been wrestling since he was in the third grade.

During his freshman year in high school, he also played lacrosse and football, but stopped other sports to focus and specialize in wrestling.

Mehlman's guidance counselor, Megan Francis, recognizes him as "a team player, often volunteering to wrestle above his weight limit if he feels it will benefit the team as a whole."

Mehlman's most memorable and proud moment in his high school career is winning states in wrestling last year. He credits his success in wrestling to head coach, Dave Castricone. Castricone has had the most wins out of any high school in New England for any sport.

"Having a coach like that makes the team successful and fun because we are one of the top teams in the state for wrestling," Mehlman said.

Winning the State Tournament in wrestling has long since been on Mehlman's mind.

"This has been a goal for me since the seventh grade," Mehlman said. "North Andover won the states in 2006, and it inspired me to have that goal and bring the team to states."

Aside from Mehlman's success in wrestling, he has an interest in hiking and has hiked all 48 mountains over 4000 feet in New Hampshire. He began hiking at age five. He has also worked in a summer camp in New Hampshire for the past two years, after being a camper there for eight years. He plans on hiking the Appalachian Trail in the future and has been thinking of taking next year off to do this.

Mehlman was also on honor roll for all three trimesters last year and so far this year. He is currently enrolled in physics, AP English, AP German, and calculus. Mehlman has been balancing his homework with wrestling year round as well. He seems to manage all of this with relative ease.

"Jake has a true interest in learning and an avid curiosity of the world around him," Francis said.

Mehlman is applying early decision to Colorado College. He likes the location of the school but is not certain of where he will end up quite yet. He is considering taking philosophy courses, teaching or writing. He is certain, however, that he wants to travel.

Mehlman is the only student so far this year to be enrolled in a specific trip to Germany from March 24 through June 5. Last year, he went to Germany for two weeks in the exchange program. "It was a great experience. It was cool to experience another culture and a different way of living. It really helped with vocabulary and fluency after immersing yourself into another culture and having to speak the language," says Mehlman. He is taking German 5 this year. While in Germany this spring, Mehlman will be taking the classes necessary for graduation.

Mehlman is trying to enjoy his senior year as much as he can. He is motivated through others, learns what he can from them and applies it to his life.

"Jake really understands himself, and seeks opportunities to help further his quest for becoming a better version of himself," Francis said. "He chooses classes based on his interests, regardless of how they look or who is enrolled."

Mehlman keeps a positive attitude, and says, "Just enjoy your senior year."