Jake Adelmann could be a four-sport athlete at Natick High but to achieve that Herculean feat he’s got to clear a second hurdle. The Natick High junior, who was a genuine three-sport athlete last year, plays football, wrestles and competes in outdoor track. When the covid-19 pandemic forced officials to move football to a Fall 2 season starting in February, Adelmann decided to try out for soccer. He hadn’t played that sport for two years but he earned a berth as a midfielder on the junior-varsity squad, finishing with 2 goals and 3 assists. After a season of soccer, the 5-foot-6, 175-pound Adelmann seemed like he was on his way to becoming a four-sport athlete with wrestling, football and track still on the menu. Last month, however, one state agency (Energy and Environmental Affairs) ruled that close contact in wrestling was too risky, so varsity competition was banned. The Mass. Interscholastic Athletic Association, which serves as the governing body for high school sports, was expected to follow the lead of the EEA. Adelmann isn’t the type to remain idle for the winter. So, he’ll try out for basketball, a sport he hasn’t played for three years. If he earns a roster spot on either the jayvees or the varsity, then he’s on his way to becoming a four-sport athlete because football is poised to get the green light in February and outdoor track will follow. “If I get the opportunity to play four sports, I’ll definitely give it a shot,’’ said Adelmann. “I don’t think it’ll interfere with academics or create fatigue. I love to compete and it would be a privilege and an honor to play four sports. But I’m also aware that the opportunity exists because of a terrible illness that’s caused so many deaths.’’ Consider what Adelmann achieved as a sophomore. He finished third in the Sectional and State tourneys in wrestling and was selected as a Bay State Conference all-star. What was more dynamic was becoming the first sophomore in Natick’s long and spectacular wrestling history to be selected as a captain. As a sophomore on the gridiron, all the personable Adelmann did was start the first six games at middle linebacker and make his first game very memorable. He had seven tackles, three sacks and an interception in Natick’s 42-0 triumph over Needham and was chosen the Boston Globe’s player of the week. Adelmann was unable to compete in track last spring because the coronavirus forced cancellation of all sports. But, as a freshman, he threw the javelin 104 feet and managed to reach nine feet in the pole vault. “I’m cautiously optimistic about playing jayvee basketball,’’ he said. “I’ll work hard to be a capable point guard. I like to pass and play defense and I rely on speed and hustle.’’ Playing jayvee soccer may not sound like a major achievement but it was because Adelmann, who played youth soccer starting in Kindergarten, stopped competing after eighth grade to pursue football. “Since football was moved to the fall 2 season, I decided to play soccer again,’’ he said. “It’s a sport that builds endurance and that’ll be a plus for football.’’ Because he’s been away from soccer for two years, Adelmann was assigned to the jayvees. He started at midfield. “Playing midfield was a challenge,’’ he said. “It’s a position where you have to be quick in transition. Soccer is fun because the sport requires speed and good instincts. My strengths are fast feet and an aggressive style.’’ Those assets no doubt will be beneficial for Adelmann whenever wrestling resumes. He’s got other strengths that make him dynamic on the mat. He competes in the 145-pound class and his record last year as a sophomore was 51-10. “I’d like to think that I’m mentally tough and have strength, speed and balance,’’ he noted. “I really like wrestling because it combines an individual mentality with a team concept. If I win my bout, I’m successful as an individual but I’m also scoring points so the team can win. I’m disappointed there’s no wrestling this year.’’ As the youngest captain in the program’s history, Adelmann is acutely aware of that honor. “I feel immense pride to have been a captain as a sophomore,’’ he said. “I hope to fulfill my role as a leader. My style combines being vocal, supportive and able to lead by example.’’ Football is Adelmann’s favorite sport and his coach, Mark Mortarelli, admires what he brings to the table. “Jake is quick, fast, strong and a terrific tackler,’’ he emphasized. “Besides linebacker, he also played on special teams. A natural athlete, he’s instinctive and tough as nails. He’s only played football since his freshman year.’’ Adelmann thrives at linebacker, labeling the job “reserved craziness.’’ “A linebacker has to be instinctive and know whether the play is a pass or run,’’ he said. “Once you figure that out, you have to react and be ready to move laterally and hit a 250-pound opponent.’’ Football seems like it’ll be on the fall 2 menu and Adelmann is eager for that time to arrive. “I can hardly wait to put on the pads,’’ he said. “Basketball will keep me in shape for football because it builds endurance and strengthens hand-eye coordination. I’d like to either wrestle or play football in college.’’ Relying on a philosophy that focuses on reaching his potential, Adelmann says: “I want to win and be the best athlete on the field.’’ When the wrestling and football seasons get squared away, Adelmann’s goals are set for both. “I want to win sectional and state titles in wrestling, place at the allstate meet and be a BSC all-star again,’’ he said. “To win a state title is my team goal. For football, I’d like to win a Super Bowl if there are playoffs. If not, then the BSC title would be the goal. Individual objectives are to be a league all-star and lead the team in sacks and defensive touchdowns.’’ A high-honors student, Adelmann, who’s president of his class, hopes to study law and he’s got his sights set on Harvard, Georgetown or Boston College. Calling his parents (Christine and John) role models, Adelmann is one of six children. Some of his siblings also were Natick athletes. His older brother (Dermot) played soccer at Natick and was captain in track and volleyball before attending and graduating from Boston College. His sister Julia plays soccer and softball at Bowdoin and younger sister Lea is a Natick freshman who ran cross-country this fall. When outdoor track was shelved last spring because of the virus, Adelmann felt the void. “I was bored,’’ he said. “I wanted to practice.’’ Football and track remain on Adelmann’s radar. But basketball now is in the picture since wrestling has been shelved. If he gets the opportunity to play four sports, he’ll be in a very unusual category. A relentless desire to compete, succeed and play four sports makes Jake Adelmann a rare-breed athlete.