This is the JV soccer Middletown, MD team in 1988. Jon's 5th from the left in the back. Mr. Rojewski is 2nd from the left in the back. (That's me in the front 3rd from the right.)

The Rojewski family had just moved to the area to have Jon play ball for Middletown. (I think before that he played for Brunswick, a staunch rival of Middletown.) I grew to admire Jon quickly with his immense natural soccer talent, as well as Mr. Rojewski. 

This team was the best soccer team I was ever on, period: Mr. Sheffler coaching, Mr. Rojewski coaching, Brian Dalrymple playing keeper... man, it's hard to believe it was 1988. We lost one game that season... Jon was a key component of that success. Everyone knew it was something special. Seriously.

I will never forget Jon, how we came to be friends, playing soccer together. You didn't have to try with Jon. He was friends with everyone.  It was one of the best times of my life. I'm not surprised Jon went on to be such a success. 

This is what I think of when I think of Jon, his enthusiastic and competitive spirit. He and I would often play the center halfback position together and when you gave Jon the ball, he was more than entirely committed. He would always have that look you see here, with that hair following behind him (LOL), and he was just such an intense and devoted player. (People would get us confused too because we looked similar and had similar hair. LOL)

You knew Jon would be a success. His positive can-do spirit was readily apparent in nearly every picture he's in. Everyone respected and admired him, most certainly me.