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Cross country proves forecasters wrong
Dec 16, 2002 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
The newspaper told the story, why bother competing? Prior to the state meet to be held on November 9 in Carrollton, Ga., the Darlington boys were ranked eighth and the Darlington girls were ranked fifth. But print cannot always be trusted! Equipped with shoes shod with spikes of determination and convinced of a greater finish than the papers would allow, the Tigers arrived ready to race.
After the usual stretching, bathroom breaks, team rallying, and so forth, the boys race began led by captain Brightman Thomas. This year’s competition was perhaps the best double A has ever seen. Twenty-four teams were competing for four trophies. After a 17-minute storm of sweat, blood, speed, and sprinting, Brightman Thomas arrived at the finish line seventh in the state and a new member to the all-state cross-country team. Following Brightman were Max Hinton (twenty-first), then Clark Coleman McGehee (thirty-sixth) next Captain Patrick King (fortieth), Andrew Lawrence (forty-first), Benji White (fifty-first), and finally last for the Tigers but in no way least Bennett Brock (fifty-ninth). “Where did we finish?” and “Was it enough for a trophy?” were just a few of the questions posed to Coach Davis, who, looking befuddled like the rest, said “The competition was as thick as molasses, I couldn't tell a thing! We'll just have to wait for the results like everybody else.” Results were posted, the newspapers were wrong, the Tigers finished fourth! This was their best performance in two years. It was certainly better than last year’s tenth place.
Now the gun is up for the girls’ race. After a quick prayer led by Gordon Neville, associate headmaster and dean of students, and cheer from parents, coaches, and spectators, the Lady Tigers took the course. Like the boys’ race the girls’ race was fraught with competition. Led by team captain Kirby Cross the team got off to a strong start. Throughout the race team position was a nagging question. With so many girls the team finish was impossible to predict. At the finish, Cross was fourth in the state and a member once again of the All State Cross Country Team. Following Cross was Collins Davidson (thirty-third), Fatema Bandukwala (thirty-fourth), Rachel Wiggins (thirty-eighth), Courtney Williams (forty-first) and Kristi Buice (forty-fourth). Running in a pack, their season trademark, the girls raced fast, but was it enough? Again with anxious eyes looking to Davis who replied, “Who knows where they finished only the results will tell.” After minutes that passed like hours, the results were posted. “Tigers 3rd!” “Hurray!” and “Alright!” were just a few of the exclamations heard from the throng.
After the awards presentations the teams gathered for a group picture that would give proof that prediction and prophecy mean little when matched against hard work and determination. As the tents were taken down and bags were packed, stories were swapped, and congratulations given, the coaches returned to camp to give final instructions. “Great job gang! Let’s go home,” Coach Davis was heard to say before a tidal wave of ice and chilled water poured over his head. As always the runners would have the final word. The runners had their vengeance for all of the hills and hard runs Davis inflicted throughout the long season.
Exhausted but satisfied the bunch loaded up to head for home. What a way to finish Darlington's fortieth season of cross-country. The boys are region champions, fourth in the state, with 26 wins and sixes losses in the regular season. The girls are region champions, third in the state, running undefeated in regular season competition.
After the usual stretching, bathroom breaks, team rallying, and so forth, the boys race began led by captain Brightman Thomas. This year’s competition was perhaps the best double A has ever seen. Twenty-four teams were competing for four trophies. After a 17-minute storm of sweat, blood, speed, and sprinting, Brightman Thomas arrived at the finish line seventh in the state and a new member to the all-state cross-country team. Following Brightman were Max Hinton (twenty-first), then Clark Coleman McGehee (thirty-sixth) next Captain Patrick King (fortieth), Andrew Lawrence (forty-first), Benji White (fifty-first), and finally last for the Tigers but in no way least Bennett Brock (fifty-ninth). “Where did we finish?” and “Was it enough for a trophy?” were just a few of the questions posed to Coach Davis, who, looking befuddled like the rest, said “The competition was as thick as molasses, I couldn't tell a thing! We'll just have to wait for the results like everybody else.” Results were posted, the newspapers were wrong, the Tigers finished fourth! This was their best performance in two years. It was certainly better than last year’s tenth place.
Now the gun is up for the girls’ race. After a quick prayer led by Gordon Neville, associate headmaster and dean of students, and cheer from parents, coaches, and spectators, the Lady Tigers took the course. Like the boys’ race the girls’ race was fraught with competition. Led by team captain Kirby Cross the team got off to a strong start. Throughout the race team position was a nagging question. With so many girls the team finish was impossible to predict. At the finish, Cross was fourth in the state and a member once again of the All State Cross Country Team. Following Cross was Collins Davidson (thirty-third), Fatema Bandukwala (thirty-fourth), Rachel Wiggins (thirty-eighth), Courtney Williams (forty-first) and Kristi Buice (forty-fourth). Running in a pack, their season trademark, the girls raced fast, but was it enough? Again with anxious eyes looking to Davis who replied, “Who knows where they finished only the results will tell.” After minutes that passed like hours, the results were posted. “Tigers 3rd!” “Hurray!” and “Alright!” were just a few of the exclamations heard from the throng.
After the awards presentations the teams gathered for a group picture that would give proof that prediction and prophecy mean little when matched against hard work and determination. As the tents were taken down and bags were packed, stories were swapped, and congratulations given, the coaches returned to camp to give final instructions. “Great job gang! Let’s go home,” Coach Davis was heard to say before a tidal wave of ice and chilled water poured over his head. As always the runners would have the final word. The runners had their vengeance for all of the hills and hard runs Davis inflicted throughout the long season.
Exhausted but satisfied the bunch loaded up to head for home. What a way to finish Darlington's fortieth season of cross-country. The boys are region champions, fourth in the state, with 26 wins and sixes losses in the regular season. The girls are region champions, third in the state, running undefeated in regular season competition.
