Athlete spotlight: James Wood wrestler Jimmy Woznak

February 14, 2012

Jimmy Woznak

James Wood High School 15-year-old freshman

Sport:Wrestling

Position:106-pound weight class

Parents:Patrick and Shelly Woznak

Hometown:Winchester

When did you start wrestling: I've been wrestling since I was five. My dad, who wrestled in high school, started me out at Willie Walters Wrestling Club and I've stuck with it from there.

What you love about wrestling:I like that it's an individual and a team sport. It's just you out there on the mat, but then you also have a team supporting you.

Biggest strength and weakness in wrestling:I think my biggest weakness is just being new to the whole high school thing. It's completely different from club wrestling, it's a big step up. And I think my biggest strength is the people in the room that I get to work with. They help me get better every day. Sports you always wanted to try:I'd like to play lacrosse. It looks like a fun sport, but we don't really get to play it in Winchester.

Most memorable moment in wrestling:We had our holiday tournament over Christmas break (the Willie Walters/Jaye Copp Wrestling Tournament) and my finals match was pretty big. It was a triple-overtime win and it was really tough.

Most embarrassing moment in wrestling:In middle school I tripped over the mat while running out for a match. I just got up and had my head down as I walked to the center (he did end up winning the match).

Favorite athlete:[Olympic gold-medalist wrestler] Rulon Gardner. I remember watching him in the Olympics when I was little and he was great.

Favorite sports team:Washington Redskins

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive:My grandpa on my dad's side, Leroy Woznak, [Tour de France winner] Lance Armstrong and [Olympic gold-medalist swimmer] Michael Phelps. My grandpa passed away when I was five so I never really got to know him.

Favorite Quote:The Spartans used to say "carry your shield or come home on it." It was go into battle and win or come home dead on your shield.

Favorite subject in school:Probably history. I like learning about stuff that has happened and I like my teacher.

What's on the iPod:I love 70s and 80s music. Some Boston, Eagles, The Doors, old-school stuff.

Plans after high school: I want to do something in neurology, I'm not sure what but something along those lines. It would be cool to wrestle in college, my top three would be Penn State, Cornell and Iowa, they're the big powerhouses.