Wake Schepman skates with the big boys

Wake Schepman received his first pair of inline skates as a Christmas gift when he was just 5 years old.

Seven years later Schepman, of Sweet Valley, placed fourth in the 16 years old and up category in the 2009 American Inline League (AIL) World Championships held Oct. 24 in Tehachapi, Calif. Because he placed in the top 10 in his category, the 12-year-old is now considered an AIL Elite.

Despite being just 12, Schepman was allowed to compete in the 16 years old and up category because the categories are based on skill and not age.

In 2007 and 2008, Schepman competed in the AIL World Championships in the ages 10 to 15 category.

He was surprised to do so well this year at his first attempt in an advanced category.

“This was the first year I went into the 16 and over advanced,” he said. “I thought maybe, just maybe, I’d make it in the top 10.”

Schepman was introduced to inline skating at age 5 when he first saw a television show called “Rocket Power,” a Nickelodeon animated cartoon about friends who took part in various sports, including inline skating.

At the same age, Schepman went to see the X Games in Philadelphia with his father, Wes. The annual sports event features extreme action sports, sparking his interest in inline skating.

Schepman and his family were living in Clermont, Fla. at the time and he taught himself to skate at a local skate park in the town.

“Over the years you see people skate,”he said. “You try to do tricks the older guys do.”

The Schepmans soon moved to Clarks Summit but, because there are no skate parks in the area, his parents drove him to indoor skate parks in Hackettstown and Flemington, both in New Jersey.

About six months ago, the Schepmans relocated again to Sweet Valley. Wes built a skate park in the backyard so Wake can practice daily at the house when the weather permits but Wes and his wife, April, still drive their son to skate parks in New Jersey about once a week.

Schepman has also been attending Camp Woodward, located in Woodward, outside of State College, for six years. Camp Woodward is a residential action sports, gymnastics and cheerleading camp for children ages 7 to 18.

It is uncommon for a 12-year-old American inline skater to be sponsored, but Schepman was first sponsored at age 9 by Denial Clothing. He is currently sponsored by Denial Clothing, Neglected Truth Skate Shop, Razor Skates, Denim Jeans and H-Town Skate Park.

Some of Schepman’s mentors include Cameron Card, Chris Haffey, Richie Velasquez and Montre Livingston – all recognized professional inline skaters.

“We’re pretty lucky,” Wes Schepman said. “All of the people we know in the industry are really supportive of him.”

Schepman is now in the pro circuit in the World Rolling Series, making him eligible to take part in competitions all over the world. He plans to make it to those held in the United States.

April Schepman has been homeschooling Wake for three years, admitting she home schools him out of necessity because of his practice. The couple’s other sons, Skyler, 10, and Gavin, 8, attend Ross Elementary School.

“It started becoming a problem at school where the teachers were saying he’s tired at school; he’s having trouble staying awake,” April said.

When he is not skating or doing his school work, Schepman enjoys the activities of many other 12-year-olds, including snowboarding, basketball and video games. He is also a member of Boy Scout Troop 165 in Trucksville.