Asking him was reflexive. "Want to join!?" came out of my mouth faster than I could think of the pros and cons. He looked surprised that I asked him. "O-okay!?" he said very nervously. That was our team down. I wrote it on the paper and sighed. "How about the 4x400!? Is everyone okay with sticking together?" I asked. They all agreed. I wrote out team down for that race too. Lucas went to the other sophomores. "Looks like Robert jumped ship. I can take his place." They agreed to form a team together. I passed over the sign in sheet. We had our 4 teams. James and Ethan were going to sit these ones out. That was totally fine as they were freshmen. They would get lots of other chances. With four teams, it would be a single race. The last team to have their anchor cross the finish line was cut. That made me like my chances. I just did not have to come in last. After everyone was done signing up for what they wanted, it was time for practice to begin. Since we had the meet coming up we had to do hurdles and relays. Passing the baton out of bounds disqualified your team. I had to get it right to win.
Friday was the last day to practice. Because of all the events the whole thing would take Saturday and Sunday to complete. Saturday was for all the track races. Sunday was for the field events. I was walking home with Leo and the triplets after studying. "What do you think about the meet tomorrow?" I asked. "We're going to take first place at the relay races, hands down." Oliver said confidently. "We're going to sweep the discus throw. I know it!" a very excited Noel said. Paul added "Same thing with the 200 meter dash." Leo just shrugged and said "I think I'll do my best with the 800 meter race. Other than the relay races, I don't know." I pat him on the shoulder and looked at him. I said "It's okay to brag among friends when we ask." Leo nodded and cracked a smile. "Nobody on the team come close to me in the 800 meters. I'm taking home the gold here and in the island tournament too!" he proclaimed boldly. "Wow Leo. You're that good!? I'll be sure to watch that." I said. It was nice to see him so animated. After dropping them off, it was time to go to my home and just wait for it to start.
When my alarm went off, I made my way over to the park. There was a mini festival going on. Everyone in the district that was interested in high school track and field were here. There was an Olympic sized track in the park, but we could not use it. The rights to the track went to the school that won the island tournament the year before. B'mow Island First High had the track on lockdown for the past 9 years that was over an era for a high school. It was more like 2 eras. All of the schools would do this whole thing one week after another. The last 2 weeks were for the first 2 schools. Next week was for the fourth. We got there and the anthem of the kingdom played from a speaker. Then we got started with the events. Because all 18 of us wanted to win, we all put our name down for the 100 meter dash. It was the first contest. Due to the overwhelming numbers, we needed qualifying heats. Aaron was the fastest senior so he was paired up with all the freshmen and Benjamin. Jackson and Noah were against the sophomores and Leo. The triplets and I were up against Lucas and Andrew.
