Middle School Mania

They tell us there are still creatures in the very depths of the oceans we have yet to discover. And, there are creatures among us we have yet to define; Michael Jackson for instance.

We have many sub-cultures in our society. Each year there is one or two of these terminally dysfunctional sub-cultures who metastasize themselves to mainstream America and add to the decline of our quality of life. Can you explain the disturbing images of the newly resurrected Women’s Roller Derby League? Scary stuff…

However, the sub-culture known as “middle schoolers” continues from the beginning of time to be our most lethal sub-culture always at the ready to baffle and befuddle their beleaguered parents, teachers, coaches, siblings, small animals and nature itself. You cannot predict when it will happen, but it will happen…without warning… it’s called puberty! It is like watching Webster turn into a flesh-eating Mike Tyson overnight. You cannot stop it. You cannot escape it. They run in packs. They multiply on the weekends. I get equally lost trying to understand my son’s pre-pubescent language as I do trying to find my way through his bedroom (the Atlanta Zoo would condemn his room). I have never walked into his bathroom; I am too weak of character. Can I get a witness?

Just when I think this species belongs in sealed containers at the CDC they show flashes of courage, commitment and the heart of a champion. There are those rare moments you get to glimpse the greatness of the man or women that lies within. I got that glimpse on a clear, crisp day last Saturday as Booth Middle School hosted the PTC Invitational Middle School Track Meet at Fayette County High. Sixteen middle schools sweeping the Southern Crescent from Carrollton to Eagle’s Landing gathered to compete against one another (like I said, they multiply on the weekends). I’d guess 300 athletes participated in the 15 track and field events staggered throughout day. I was impressed.

Jere Key was the Meet Director. Great job Jere! If I were in charge, I’d have replaced those starter guns with real guns by about 11 a.m. Jere and the entire meet staff did an outstanding job. I thought the organization and management at all levels of the event were flawless. Coach Roth was amazing. She proves dynamite comes in small packages. Give her a challenge and get the heck out of the way!

Again, 300 plus middle schoolers all in one place for an entire day – no armed guards – and I’ve lived through it thanks to the great staff and the grace of God.

Now for the sub-culture. When was the last time you took a good long look at this age group? I graduated from high school in 1975. The middle schoolers today are as big as my senior class back in the day…and maybe more savvy. Case in point, I enjoyed seeing Joey Giamfortone at the meet. He threw the shot and discus Saturday. Joey is an 8th grader at Booth and attended my football camp at Velocity Sports Performance last summer. He was big then and he is bigger now. He’s one of those big, smart kids that loves the offensive line. He’ll get tagged with a cool nickname like “Biscuit” before his playing days are over. He said he really liked the new football coach at McIntosh. See? Savvy!

However, the story of the day was Mary Roberts of Whitewater Middle School. Wow. No, double wow.

Mary likes to run. It makes no sense to me, none whatsoever. First of all, I was told two years ago if I wanted to compete in the PTC Triathlon I’d be assigned to the “Clydesdale” Division. Needless to say, I declined. Those of us who shop at the big and tall outlets have no interest in running unless it’s out to dinner with friends. Mary, however, has a much “bigger” (pardon the deliberate pun) challenge to overcome. I’m just fat and happy and hate running, Mary has severe asthma. She keeps a closer watch on her inhaler than she does her baton. But, Mary loves to run. And run. And run. She is an inspiration. She caught my eye early in the day. She has a pretty smile, gentle spirit and is very personable. You can’t help but notice her in a crowd. I met her dad at the meet. Cool guy; but no doubt she got the pretty smile from her mom.

Mary’s first event was the 1,600 meter run. She won by a mile (pardon me again). It was impressive. She was in a class by herself. During one of our breaks in the meet I chatted at length with her dad…also a runner. I knew from her winning time in the 1,600 that she had to be ranked nationally. Presently, she is considered one of the top 50 long distance runners in her age group in the nation. This is a child with severe asthma! I asked Mary’s dad if it was ok if I chatted with her about her passion and giftedness for running. He let her know I wanted do a quick interview. She jogged over, smile and all. I asked her why she liked to run when it made no sense to do so as a severe asthmatic. She simply said, “I love the freedom it gives me when I’m out there running all by myself. There is nothing else like it.”
That was all I needed to ask…end of interview.

A little later in the afternoon I asked her track coach at Whitewater, Coach (get-er-done) Roth, to tell me about Mary. We were interrupted and did not get to chat again until later. In the meantime, as the meet wore on, Mary lined up to run the 3,200 (two miles). She had lapped half the field before she hit the halfway mark in the race. I began to understand what she meant by, “running all by myself.” She was being literal. She won the event. Notice I did not say race. There may have been a race for second place but not for first; watching Mary is an event all by itself.

And then it happened; just after the finish of the 3,200. Mary, still breathing hard, was laboring to get her spikes off and her running shoes on when she was asked if she could do the impossible; Coach Roth asked Mary if she would step in and run the final leg of the 4 x 400 meter relay…which had already started. Taking in a deep breath she looked up and said, “Help me get my spikes back on.” Coach Roth looked at me and said, “You wanted to know something about Mary? You just got your answer.”

Indeed.

Mary was able to tie her spikes, jump up from the infield, take the baton, and run the most vicious race in all track and field…the 400 meter run. When she took the baton her team was in last place and had no chance of gaining on the competition. She ran the final leg of the race. She ran wide-open the entire lap, then collapsed. It was a demonstration of love of sport, a demonstration of personal courage, and a demonstration of what we all need reminded of from time to time; nothing is impossible if we choose to pursue our dreams rather than fear our limits.

Mary Roberts believes that with every breath she takes.

Godspeed Mary.

Well bless your heart!

Submitted by thenotoriousrip on Mon, 04/03/2006 - 12:40pm.

Hi there Ted,
It really warms our hearts that you would mention us as a frightening new subculture, even though us causing a "decline of our quality of life" might be a little overstated. I mean, ouch! But all press is good press, we like to say. If you wanted to be put on the guest list for our April 9th Bout, you should've just hollered! We would've obliged. So we got you down as a plus one for April 9th's Spring Slaughter, is that right? Hope to see you there! And thanks again for the mention!

The Notorious R.I.P., #9mm
Atlanta Rollergirls, Dirty South Derby

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