Saturday, September 29, 2012

Number One

Not only did our hometown team get a shout-out on national television last weekend during the OSU-UCLA game, but we rather soundly beat the number one-ranked team in our league (West Albany) to take the number one spot in the STATE!  
Gooooo Silverton Foxes
Foxes are ranked #1!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

O’Fest Road Race Series: Race #1--Sibling Submission



            We’ve always been a competitive and athletic family, so when the 2007 Oktoberfest rolled around, those of us with accommodating schedules signed up for the 5K Road Race. The morning was way too early following a hearty Friday night, but we somehow managed to make it to the starting line in time.  Gabe and Greg were still in high school and therefore in top physical condition, despite having played a tough road football game 12 hours prior.  Paddy was still a collegiate decathlete and therefore also in top condition.  I (Tony) was less than a year removed from Special Forces training, which set the stage for a high octane ultra-competitive event…
            Unfortunately for me, the running edge went to the other three boys, regardless of my valiant initial surge to the front.  The not-so-slow yet still steady pace of the other boys soon overrode my misguided effort and I found myself at the back of the only pack that mattered that day.  I matched their pace, but soon found myself falling back despite “encouraging” commentary from each Fennimore boy who passed me.  As I lost sight of them over the last rise which rounded Abbey Hill, I was determined to give a better effort in the second half of the race.
            Down the slope of College St as it enters town, my legs generated new energy and I looked into the distance for the other boys. Despite my vantage point at the beginning of a long straightaway, there was no Fennimores to be seen.  Somewhat crushed at the vanishing prospect of finishing ahead of them, I nevertheless finished my race at a high level in order to salvage at least a little pride.  As I huffed and puffed my way across the finish line, I looked around and couldn’t find the boys anywhere. Minutes later, Gabe led Paddy across the finish with Greg only seconds behind them. After everyone finished catching their breath, it was determined that these three boys had mistakenly turned back down Alder St too soon (where we had begun the race) and sprinted to the finish from the wrong direction, thus adding hundreds of meters to their 5K! They had to turn back the way they came and muster enough energy to finish 2nd, 3rd and 4th behind the inaugural champion, Yours Truly.  After stories were swapped and excuses were made, some minor bragging ensued, which prompted splashing with ice-cold water from water bottles, resulting in a high speed chase and water fight around the field, while exhausted racers gawked in disbelief at the reserves of energy which were on display.  This “controversial” victory spawned a series of races over the next several years.
            The result of this race demonstrates that strength alone is not enough to win the day; a true warrior must use his most valuable weapon: his brain. So stay in school, kids!

*Submitted by #14