BRICK – Jason Lajara, a native of Brick Township, was named to the 12-athlete roster for USA Football’s 17U U.S. Boys’ Flag National Team.
Lajara earned his spot on the Junior National Team after completing the USA Football’s training camp in Charlotte, North Carolina, in June.
“I started playing at about 7 years old. It really started to become a passion for me when was I was 9 because that was my first tournament, and I just loved the competitiveness and exciting energy that it brought,” Lajara told The Brick Times.
Lajara, who will be a junior at Brick Memorial High School, plays quarterback. Before joining the National Team, he played for Shore Savages, NY Playmakers and THT Flag Football.
“This is my second year trying out for the U.S. national team. I made the team last year it was an amazing experience and we won the gold medal!” Lajara said. “I think that the most challenging part of the USA Football training camp was staying confident in myself. Trying not to be overwhelmed with everything and to not doubt myself. There is a lot of great talent from all over the country but your mindset should be that you are there for the right reason and have earned your spot.”
USA Football’s 17U U.S. Boys’ Flag National Team is set to complete in Los Angeles July 9 through 12 in the Junior International Cup. They’ll be up against flag football teams from Canada, Japan, Mexico and Panama.
“I feel truly blessed and honored for the opportunity to represent USA and also the state of New Jersey,” Lajara said. “I’m really excited and anxious to be heading to California for the Junior International Cup. My teammates and I are ready to compete and bring home the gold for the second year in a row.”
According to USA Football, flag football has become one of the world’s fastest growing sports, played by millions of people worldwide across 100 countries.
“I think its great flag football will debut in the 2028 Olympics! It’s a huge milestone as it shows how much that the game is growing as a whole. The fact that flag is growing in so many other countries, has given me the opportunity to meet people from all around the world. I believe that it is just getting started,” Lajara said.
Lajara expressed his goal to continue his path in flag football, with ambitions to play college football in the future.
“After this year I still have one more year of eligibility left to try out and hopefully play for USA Footballs, US national team again next year. I would love to do that and maybe even someday compete in the Olympics,” Lajara said. “Outside of flag, my ultimate goal is to play college football. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid and I’m going to work my hardest to achieve that goal.”