This is Sparta

By DJ Yost

Wednesday X-Block, August 20th. It was just supposed to be a normal CrossFit workout (hopefully not even Death-by-Burpees). But after a quick greeting, Mr. Brian Brewster rounded up the kids and took them outside. Bystanders outside curiously watched as students and staff alike began army crawling on the Lower Field, jumping over the basketball bleachers, pulling sleds, and taking over the playground monkey bars. 

So what was going on here? 

They were becoming Spartans- legendary warriors from Ancient Greece known for their athleticism and physique. 

On October 28th and 29th, there will be a Spartan race held in Kuala Lumpur: an elite test of endurance and strength that is notoriously known for its grueling obstacles and unfavorable conditions specifically designed to turn modern-day athletes into heroes of renown. Many Dalat students part of the CrossFit Club and parents up for the challenge signed up for this competition.  

In preparation for this event, Mr. Brewster has laid out a “Spartan Lap” around Dalat’s Lower Campus, in order to give the students who signed up (and those who didn’t) a simulation of what the race will look and feel like on race day. Every Wednesday, students and staff have the option to run and complete as many of these Spartan Laps as they can. 

Isaac Beaman (12) described the experience quite fittingly: “I had fasted for two days before running the Spartan Laps, and I almost threw up afterward. I had to take a three-hour nap to fully recover.” 

Kyle Tang (12) said, “As so many people I know have done the Spartan Race, the movements looked really easy but eventually, I realized it was harder than it looked. I want to test my abilities and try to accomplish something not a lot of people have the mentality for.”

Although Dalat’s motto is “Education for Life,” part of that education is fitness and athleticism. So turning a little bit of Dalat into a little bit of Sparta will benefit the students, staff, and parents involved not only for the present but for the rest of their lives as well. This is Sparta!