Friday, August 20, 1999
Summit's Cummings is city's top player
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
In some ways, Jack Cummings is just an ordinary teen-ager, working a summer job while looking forward to graduation from high school and going on to college.
But in another way, the 17-year-old Madeira resident and senior at Summit Country Day High School is special.
On the ordinary side, Cummings is a caddy at Kenwood Country Club, putting aside sports in an effort to cover some of the expenses related to travel and equipment.
“Jack travels so much, he couldn't hold a regular part-time job,” said Cummings' mother, Nancy. “That's why he's involved in caddying because he can work whenever he's in town.”
Cummings also has responsibilities at home before and after every trip.
“I love to caddy because I need the money,” Cummings said after going 18 holes Sunday. “It's cheaper to rent a cart, but a lot of golfers like to walk when the weather is cooler. When it's hot, they ride.”
This behavior seems uncharacteristic of an outstanding athlete who is recognized as one of the best teen-age soccer players in the United States and a possible Olympian someday.
Considered the premier high school player in Cincinnati, it would be easy for Cummings to skip the high school season to train for a second consecutive tryout for the U-18 Region II Team in Cocoa Beach, Fla., in late November.
“I made the Region II Team last year, and we played in Brazil,” Cummings said. “There's only 15 players on the national team but in order to be selected, you must first make the region team.”
A six-foot-one, 165-pounder, Cummings has played every position, but he's best known for his ability to score and pass.
Every coach asked to list the top male player in Cincinnati put Cummings first. Teammate Jamal Shtwiewi, also a senior striker, was in the top three in all responses.
Other highly acclaimed players are Pat Murphy from Moeller, Grayson Sugarman and Kevin Kummerle from Seven Hills, Craig Salvati and Casey Fisher from Lakota East and Scott Tilford and Josh Miller from McNicholas.
The resume compiled by Cummings is outstanding.
Besides playing for the Region II team, Cummings was named an All-American by adidas while earning all-state honors. He was also selected to be involved in two videos demonstrating the sport.
At Summit, Cummings is more than just a soccer player. He also played for the varsity basketball team last season and earned All-Southwest District and Division IV all-state honors.
Track and baseball are other sports that Cummings plays at Summit Country Day.
“I started playing soccer when I was five,” Cummings said. “I've been pretty lucky because I've had some great coaching and avoided injuries.”
Cummings knows that the national recognition makes him a marked player.
“I don't worry about injuries,” Cummings said. “If someone wants to hurt you, they can do it. I'm not out to hurt anyone, and I can only hope that no one tries to hurt me.”
As for the future, Cummings isn't sure which college to attend and won't start the search until the season is over.
“My goal is to win state,” Cummings said. “That would be the perfect way to end my high school career.”
BOYS SOCCER: DIVISION I PREVIEW
BOYS SOCCER: DIVISION II PREVIEW
BOYS SOCCER: KENTUCKY PREVIEW
GIRLS SOCCER: KENTUCKY PREVIEW
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: KENTUCKY PREVIEW
THURSDAY'S HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
Sports Stories
REDS 1, PIRATES 0
Box, runs
REDS NOTEBOOK
Scouting report: Expos at Reds
Cameron deal pays off
Konerko gets chance with ChiSox
Brewers 6, Astros 5
Huggins kicks Land off team
Xavier, Princeton start series
First-string 'O' debuts tonight
BENGALS NOTEBOOK
TRAINING CAMP INSIDER
