State Track Championship The pit of my stomach felt like it was being eaten away by gnawing insects inside. These were not just ordinary butterflies, but evil stinging insects. I stood impatiently on the track, sliding quickly to the inside as the incoming runner completed her transfer. Shouting encouragement, I waited for Rachel to come down the final stretch. We successfully completed our stick exchange and I left. We arrived at Dutch Clark Stadium in Pueblo, Colorado, two hours earlier than usual on a dark and rainy Friday morning. Our team carried the large tarp, blue tent, coolers full of energy food, and plenty of cases of water to keep us hydrated throughout the day. The sight of the huge red rubber caterpillar made me feel that familiar tingle in my stomach. “It’s the same size as any other track, but we just run in the opposite direction,” I heard Coach Dirst joke with the ever-gullible Erin. Shortly after setting up camp, I heard the familiar words: “Get out of here!” come from Coach Dirst. Our team descended the mountain of unevenly spaced concrete stairs to the runway. After completing our usual warm-up consisting of a two-lap jog, stretching and fitness run, the team spread out, some preparing for their event, others just hoping to catch a few more z's. As I returned to camp, I noticed that everyone had t-shirts and sweatshirts stained red from stretching on the wet trail, not realizing that these stains would over time become memories that I will never forget. good start. The medley relay advanced to the finals and Kendal became a two-time high jump state champion, capturing the team's first ten points. The rest of the day went just as well. After placing the fourth in the middle of the paper......powerful! Hearing Coach Dirst say that made the whole experience even more special. All the hard work we had put in throughout the year had finally paid off when it mattered most. As we ran our final victory lap of the 2002 track season, we realized we had accomplished what every team dreams of. After sharing many hugs and tears, happy ones of course, I returned to camp to gather my things. I then slowly walked towards the parking lot, wanting to savor this incredible feeling. As I looked up at the pitch black sky, a drop of rain fell on my forehead. Before I knew it, I found myself in the middle of a downpour and took it all in, thinking, “This is as good as it gets!” All the emotions, the triumph, the thrill and excitement I felt acted like bug bomb for the evil biting insects that were at one point gnawing at the pit of my stomach..