CANNONNNNN BAAAAALL!!!

When I was in High School we had four Houses that competed against each other (yes, just like Harry Potter :P) in the annual Athletics and Swimming competitions. Somehow (don't ask me, I don't know how) I was actually elected House Captain two years running. Actually I think I know how: because nobody else was stupid enough to accept the nomination.

Being House Captain meant I had to inspire the troops, so to speak, which really meant when people were asked if they wanted to run the 100m, or the 200m, or do the High Jump, the Shot Putt, the Discus, etc, and nobody was willing to volunteer, I had to do it. There were a few people who actually volunteered to compete in all of the events, but they were the athletic-types who were actually good at doing that sort of thing. Such as one of the 100m Sprinters who turned up with his Track Spikes, then made the starting official (one of the teachers) wait while he hammered down his starting blocks for when he Took His Mark! and Got Set!

During the Swimming competition when there was again a lack of volunteers, I was once more called on to take part in just about every swimming event, including the diving. My diving repertoire consisted of a pike (which I screwed up trying to do a full tuck), a back somersault, and a forward somersault. Lucky we only got three dives or I'd have been out of tricks. Actually I have one more dive in my stable but it wouldn't have scored very highly.

Bone, I agree, if I were on the Dive Team in the Olympics, and if I knew I was totally out of the running, I would absolutely consider doing a Cannonball, but with my own special twist that I call The Stomper. It starts out just like a Cannonball, but just before entry you straighten out and stomp the surface of the water as hard as you can. Apparently it creates a very loud splatting sound and generates a lot more splash than a standard Cannonball. It never seemed that impressive when my friends did it, then again, everyone else said nobody did The Stomper quite like me...credit probably goes to my big feet :P

So I did the Diving for my House and messed up with the Pike. I think I came fourth out of about 10 competitors. I also did the butterfly, breaststroke, freestyle, and backstroke events, as well as the backstroke leg of the 4x50 relay for my House. During either the Butterfly or Breaststroke both myself and several other competitors were DQ'd for kicking the wrong way, and I think only two swimmers had legitimate finishes. So I botched the diving, and the butterfly or breaststroke, but my unsung hero moment came during the 4x50 relay.

Just as we'd had a Ringer turn up at the Athletic competition with Track Spikes and Starting Blocks, we had a couple of Ringers at the Swimming competition, too. They looked impressive, in their Speedos with matching caps & goggles, and I had the honor of starting against one of them for the opening Backstroke leg of the 4x50 relay. We were neck and neck down the pool, until I gave it everything I had and pulled just a tiny bit ahead to tap the wall ahead of my opponent. I'm not saying I beat him decisively, but I hit the wall first and he hit it second, and he knew it.

Some of our greatest accomplishments in life receive no recognition, no ribbons or medals. We know what we've done, and sometimes that's enough.

"Someone beat me," said my opponent, as he clambered out of the pool. "Someone beat me! Who beat me?"
(Sometimes other people know what we've done, too.)

Amused by his shock and disbelief I remained quiet, and nobody else volunteered my name. If anything, everyone seemed puzzled that he was making such a big deal out of not hitting the wall first. It would be nice to think my opponent learned a lesson in humility, a lesson which he carries with him to this very day, one which has helped him achieve success in the rest of his life.

Never underestimate your opponent, even if he is wearing knee-length baggy, board shorts. He just might kick your arse ;)