Holling's Victorious Cross-Country Race

Holling had been training for weeks.  At the tryouts for the varsity team Holling clocked in with the fastest time of all grade seven and eight.  Holling was so swift; it was questionable if he was naturally that quick without mutated rats like Sycorax and Caliban chasing after him, or perhaps Holling being filled with such an adrenaline rush running as if he were on fire.  But regardless Holling had such an unbelievable time he would be representing the seventh grade in the varsity race.  Every week Coach Quatrini would hold practice, with the varsity team and every week Holling would run behind the eight graders and would never dare pass them.  As the team ran together the seventh graders, like Holling and Danny, would trail behind in fear of being spat on in the face by eight graders  The two boys would keep behind the pack because….they knew what was good for them.  Last time Holling tried to pull in front of the crowd of eight graders he found himself waddling with his shorts around his ankles and a cool breeze wafting through his body. Eighth graders were bullies that tried to intimidate everyone, especially the seventh graders.  These bullies were filled with rage, embarrassment and wrath when the younger runners were swifter and speedier than them.

After spring break, Coach Quatrini announced the Long Island Junior High School Cross-Country meet was on the upcoming Saturday.  Saturday morning Holling arrived at the school, the air cool and crisp, but Danny and Holling were pumped to finish the races ahead.  Danny's JV cross-country race was announced and everybody was cheering him on.  Everyone was watching Danny's position closely and on the 4^th lap Danny was first across the finish line with one more lap to run.  Around the last bend everyone was anticipating Danny to appear but instead there was a mischievous pack of eight graders.  One runner after the other Danny still had not been seen.  Finally Danny had limped from around the bend, all bloody and beaten, and his knees dripping with blood.  He crossed the finish line nearly last.  Danny's dad carried Danny off to a place for him to rest.  Then as Holling was lining up at the start line Danny's father returned to tell Holling a message from Danny, he remarked garbled "Beat those pied ninnies?" Holling knew what he had to do, he had to win the race and prove to the eighth graders that they do not impact or intimidate the seventh graders.  Holling knew he had to do this especially for his friend that lost the race because of the bullies; he wanted to vindicate Danny by beating those eighth graders.  Holling's race commenced and by the second bend, Holling was already trailing behind the pack of eight graders.  When the runners had headed into the woods for the last lap, Holling ran close behind the crowd.  From the sidelines Mrs. Baker hollered at Holling to pass those eighth graders!  Holling obeyed, he sprinted into the bush and brushes staying close to the trail and passed the pack of eighth graders.  He passed the finish line first!  Holling couldn't have accomplished this without the encouragement from his teacher and coaches, Meryl Lee waving a rose at the end of the finish line and Danny waving his shirt at the end of the finish line screaming and slurring words.

This cross-country meet reminds me of when our school girls' basketball team was playing against and opposing, aggressive team.  Our team was winning by a couple baskets and the game had been even in score the majority of the game.  One girl on the opposing team elbowed Leger's point guard in the face; it was obvious that this team was becoming more aggressive.  I thought it was inappropriate for her to be so aggressive towards our team because that gives us a disadvantage to win and play our best.  The injury might not have been intentional but it caused our player to have a throbbing face.  Our point guard had to sit out for the remainder of the game which caused our team to lose our lead.  We all searched deep within ourselves and gathered the strength to beat this team to advance to the next round.  We began to play more aggressively and wanted to show this team that they cannot intimidate us or literally push us around.  We won the game by a basket and conquered the team like Holling did with the eight graders.

CHRISTINA Z