Tribute to James Wernke: Dons’ fallen ace

   About the proudest thing a parent can experience is watching their son excel. Watching a boy grow into a man, right before your eyes. James Wernke was that man.
   The promising college baseball career of the Santa Ana Dons left-handed pitcher came to a sudden end before it could flourish, when Wernke was reported missing on Dec. 12, 2009, soon after taking his girlfriend’s dog out for a walk. After several days of searching, his body was found along a creek in Fullerton. He was 21.
   "Let me tell you about James," Bob Wernke says. He sighs, then begins to share stories about his only son. "He was a sports fan for as long as I can remember. When he was about six he would come in after playing outdoors all day, plant himself on the couch and watch SportsCenter." Sheri Wernke, James’ mother, laughs softly and adds, "We don’t know where he picked that up from."
   Bob and Sheri recall a time when James was about 4 or 5 years old. They would drop him off at his grandparents’ house so they could run errands. James and his grandfather would play catch in the living room, the entire time his parents were gone.
   Eventually James gravitated toward baseball. At the age of five, too young to play little league baseball, he was allowed to join a softball team of 6- and 7-year-old girls. Nearly two decades later, he found himself in the pitching rotation of the winningest community college baseball program in the state.
   "For James the biggest thing was finally getting things right. The unfortunate thing was the timing. We expected big things out of him," said Dons Head Coach Don Sneddon adding, "He still is a part of this team, we still expect him to walk out of center field."
   While attending Troy High School in Fullerton, James was drafted in the 41st round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Oakland A’s, but he turned down their offer. He wanted to continue his education and become a registered nurse.
   James had a scholarship lined up to play at Cal State Long Beach after the 2010 season with the Dons.
   Bob and Sheri said he was well grounded with family and friends and knew how to make you feel special. Bob found it endearing when James insited on his sister, Kristina, taking his beanie with her on a trip to Mammoth so she could keep warm.
   Those who knew him will associate his smile with his love for life and the positive attitude he brought to his teammates. His coaches praise him for his commitment as an athlete.
   "He was a happy-go-lucky-guy. Loved people. Loved being out here," said Coach Sneddon, "Every day we honor him."