I'm a JV Superstar
by Kelley Irvine
I'm a JV superstar.
Surprisingly enough, four years running junior varsity cross country has taught me a lot.
For one thing, if you don't run during the summer, you aren't gonna make it through that first practice without having to get someone to drag you behind them on a self-made cart of grass, twigs, and insulation found on a curb of 72nd Street.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I didn't run this summer. I actually ran a lot . . .during commercials to get Cheetos . . .in the Burger King parking lot to ensure myself that last Croissanwich before 11AM . . .and you have to be quick on your feet to beat those little kids to the ice cream truck. I was so ready for that first practice.
August 16. 7 AM. My idealism about my final year as a cross country athlete leaked out with my wheezing breath as, one by one, freshmen passed me, nearly knocking me into the street with their zealousness.
A blur of color coordinated sports bras, spandex shorts, and Betsy bows with bobbing ponytails got smaller and smaller in the horizon. I'm on JV this season, and I'm a senior . . .but I'm still a superstar.
As the season goes on, I'm learning to appreciate the little things: the sun on my face, running with the same friends that had known me for four years and still liked me, and the feeling that you are going to die and hope they clear a spot in the Marian cornfield so you can rest in peace.
So even if I'm not in the top seven, or that the office thinks I'm skipping when I leave for meets, I'm still running and loving it.
So here's to me and all the other freshmen, reserve, and JV athletes: we're superstars because we try, and sometimes we fail, and sometimes we win.
I know that when I receive my varsity letter for running all four years here at Marian, I 'll be proud to admit that I'm a JV superstar.