A Boy Called Twister by Anne Schraff

Author:Anne Schraff
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, JUV011010, JUV039000
Publisher: Saddleback Educational Publishing
Published: 2014-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Kevin Walker’s first event on Tuesday was the 100 meters. He saw all the friendly Tubman faces wishing him well. Marko Lane was watching him too. Marko did not care if Kevin racked up points for Tubman High. Marko just wanted to do better than Kevin.

Kevin had broken speed records in this event back in Spurville, and he felt confident as he left the blocks. The boy from Lincoln jumped into the lead early. He had a magnificent effortless stride. Kevin had never run against such an obviously talented competitor. As they neared the halfway mark, Kevin surged forward, really flying toward the end, leaving the Lincoln boy two yards back.

A wild cheer went up from the stands where the Tubman fans sat. Kevin had beaten his own time, finishing the race in 10.5 seconds. Quickly though, the Lincoln track team moved ahead in points with some stellar performances, especially in the pole vault. When it was time for the relay race, the two teams were tied for points. The winner of the relay would win the meet.

Matson Malloy looked like someone going to his own execution as he got ready. It chilled Kevin to the bone to see the desperation on the boy’s face. No doubt Marko’s ugly words were replaying in his brain. Kevin was almost sorry that Matson was in the relay. No matter how much he had practiced, the emotional baggage from Marko’s threats had to have undermined all his efforts.

Suddenly Matson was off, charging from the blocks, his arms pumping up and down. He looked good. He was breathing right. In the first lap Matson made superb time, but Marko waited to receive the baton—and that prospect had to send terror into Matson’s soul. Still, the moment of the passing of the baton was so smooth and quick that it was scarcely visible. Kevin drew a sigh of relief as Marko sprinted through the second lap, doing well. At this point, the Tubman Titans’ time was tied with the Lincoln team’s. Marko successfully passed the baton to Trevor, and Trevor ran well, passing the baton with ease to Kevin for the anchor run.

Once more, the win depended on Kevin. He sprinted into overdrive, never looking back. When he sailed over the finish line, he was 2 seconds ahead of the Lincoln sprinter. Kevin had led the Titans to their first track meet victory in anybody’s memory.

Coach Curry rushed to high-five and embrace his athletes. He told them all they had been awesome. The Tubman fans were going crazy in the stands. The chant went up, “Twist-er! Twist-er! Tubman Titans rule!”

From the corner of his eye, Kevin saw a girl leave the stands and come racing toward him. Carissa Polson flew into Kevin’s arms, screaming, “You were amazing! You’re wonderful, Twister!” Kevin smiled at the girl but he was surprised. He thought Marko’s tickets to the Mo-Pain concert had put her in his camp.

Carissa stood on tiptoe and planted a wet kiss on Kevin’s cheek. “My hero!” she sang out.

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