“STICK!”

My teammate yelled to indicate a baton exchange. It is the Track and Field State Championships on June 4, 2022. I am the anchor leg for my 4x200 meter relay. I will be racing against 9 of the fastest people in the state, but I’m only worried about 2 of them. Ryder Smith from Oconomowoc is the reigning state champion in the 200 meter dash. Ether Turbeville from New Richmond is the favorite to win the event this year. I find myself tied with them on the final leg, trapped between 2 of the fastest sprinters in Wisconsin. 

I launch my hand back to receive the baton. It’s a great exchange. Turbeville is on my right, just ahead of me. Smith is on my left. Both have good exchanges. Smith quickly makes up the curve and I am making no progress on Turbeville. That's fine. I just have to stay with them until the straight. That’s where I can gain on them. I know I am faster than both of them on the straightaway, but my inexperience paired with my running style means my curve is very poor compared to them. My teammates and I have already gone over this situation. We expected this to happen. We have raced Oconomowoc in every meet this year, and we have yet to beat them. In every race it came down to me and Smith racing on the final leg, and in every race I have ran out of room to chase him down. This time is different. He’s running his 5th race in the last 2 days, but my legs are still fresh from only 1 race. 

We speed around the curve, now staring directly at the finish line. For Smith, an opportunity to run well in front of his future college teammates and coaches. For Turbeville, a chance to score his team's first points of the meet. And for me, a moment to prove to my coaches that I belong on this relay despite my inexperience, as well as to secure a team state championship with the 10 points that are rewarded from 1st place in an event. 

Chin down, knees up, no side-to-side sway in my arms. Those are my cues as we enter the straightaway. I know that doing these 3 things can preserve my form and ensure a faster time. The crowd roars as we race to the finish line. I am very slowly gaining on Smith, and Turbeville is just behind him. Just before I start to get fatigued and lose my speed, I see Smith lose his. With only 20 meters to go, I know this is my opportunity. I surge ahead, saving no energy for future races. Just before the line, we lean our chests forward in an attempt to cross the line first. Turbeville is the clear 3rd place, but from the naked eye it is difficult to tell if my team or Smith’s will be victorious. 

My teammates gathered around me to watch the results board in what felt like forever, but was really only a few seconds. We see our red and white “A” logo shoot up to the top of the board. With a time of 1:28:55, we had won the race.