Last but Not Least; Finishing Strong

Joshua Moon

The sky was grey, and rain trickled down on a Wednesday morning. Nevertheless, the seniors were ecstatic to run, jump, and smile their way out of their last Track and Field day at Dalat.

            As the buses headed for the USM stadium, students began to worry about the dark clouds hovering over their heads. The disappointments of a few students lead others to feel depressed as if it was a virus. The team spirit that teachers emphasized had died off by the time students arrived, and the roaring of team chants was nowhere to be found. To make matters worse, the schedule that placed the high school 100m dash first, early in the morning, left many disgruntled and unmotivated. As for the seniors, the hope of experiencing the best and last Track and Field was fading.

Crack! The race started with the clashing of the clappers, and so did the senior’s final Track and Field. Legs were working hard to push bodies closer to the finish line, and every jerk or a tumble on the track was just another opportunity for the opponent. The event carried on its competitive nature and everyone started leaning towards the races to take a better look. The students began to wave their team flags and jump out of their seats to congratulate the victors and encourage the underdogs. But, just when the day seemed to enthuse the students, rain began to trickle down on the athletes.

The clouds turned pitch black. The rain started to pour. The grins of the students in the stands began to alter. However, the athletes on the track, sandpit, and even those above the beams, continued with their competition. Despite the weather’s crime, the competitors of all teams, ages, and gender never lost hope for a great day. While running through puddles of water and jumping towards damp mud, the athletes gave it their all. By noon, the clouds cleared out as if to say, “I cannot compete with your determination.” The day continued to maintain its spirit and joy throughout, especially during the highlight: the relay race.

“The relay race is my favorite event of track and field. I get a chance to run with my friends and develop teamwork,” exclaimed Sheng Ting.

 All students either ran (or skipped or danced if you were a senior girl) the relay or stood by the tracks to cheer on their friends. As the last runner of the last race sprinted his way across the finish line, the students, especially the seniors, seemed to be satisfied with the day’s results. Many students took away a significant part in the Dalat community that day: spirit. Whether it be rain, snow, hail, tornadoes, or earthquakes, the students and teachers of Dalat International School would compete and encourage one another to never give up. As for the seniors, they possibly took away the most memorable track and field of their lifetimes.