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St. Rita's Tommy Mister Pumped to Play for Team USA

By Justin Breen | January 31, 2014 7:37am
 St. Rita quarterback Tommy Mister was selected to the 2014 U.S. Under-19 National Team, which will face Team Canada on Feb. 7 at Maverick Stadium at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Tommy Mister
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ASHBURN — Tommy Mister made a monumental mark in his one season at St. Rita High School.

In 14 games, the Mustangs' quarterback accounted for a whopping 38 touchdowns, 1,610 rushing yards and 1,434 more through the air in leading St. Rita to a 12-2 record in 2013. As a comparison, in 16 games, the entire Chicago Bears roster accounted for 51 touchdowns.

"My stats were amazing," said Mister, who transferred to the Southwest Side Catholic high school from Richards. "It was just an overall great year."

His high school career isn't officially over as Mister, an Indiana recruit, was selected to play for Team USA's under-19 squad, which faces Team Canada on Feb. 7 in Arlington, Texas, in the 2014 International Bowl.

"It's a great honor to see Tommy represent our country and continue his so-called high school career before college," said St. Rita head coach Todd Kuska, who will attend the game with Mustangs assistant coach John Gutrich.

"It will be nice to cheer on one of my guys, and hopefully he will have a large role in a USA victory."

Kuska, who's been St. Rita's head coach for 14 seasons and on the Mustangs' staff for 16, said Mister's 2013 campaign was unprecedented in his tenure at the school.

"That’s one of the best high school seasons I’ve seen an offensive player have, whether it’s for me or for someone else in the state," Kuska said.

Mister leaves Friday night for Texas. He'll spend next week practicing with his new teammates, plus participating in a variety of activities, including visiting children in hospitals.

He's most excited to suit up with some of the country's top football players.

"I can't wait to just go out there and compete and see who is the best. It will give me a taste of a faster-paced game with all Division I players," Mister said. "I'm going to enjoy the things that I worked so hard for."

A 6-foot, 198-pound point-scoring machine, he will play running back for the Hoosiers. Mister, who had originally committed to Iowa State, is officially signing with IU on Feb. 5, National Signing Day.

He chose Indiana over several Big Ten schools, including Illinois and Michigan State, plus Notre Dame.

Kuska believes Mister can have an "immediate impact" in Bloomington, Ind.

"I see him being a kid who can make contributions as a running back or just another guy to get the ball to," Kuska said.

Canada and Team USA have split two previous meetings, with the Canadians prevailing most recently in 2012. Notable alumni of the game include former Mt. Carmel quarterback Jordan Lynch, who went on to star at Northern Illinois, plus reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston from Florida State.

Mister joins Mt. Carmel defensive end Enoch Smith, who's committed to Michigan State, on Team USA's roster. Smith's Caravan squad was the only team to beat St. Rita in 2013, once in the regular season and again in the second round of the IHSA Class 7A playoffs.

"Even though we lost to Mt. Carmel, there's no shame because they're a stacked team," Mister said. "I was really pleased with the accomplishments that I made and the team made as a whole."