Hedrick 1

Graham Hedrick
Mr. Turley
English I Honors
28 September 2016
Championship Lacrosse
My second season as a Hilltopper started off great with a second place victory in Virginia
Beach last weekend. I had no idea what was going to happen this weekend. All I could hope for
was that we were going to win the tournament. Usually I get really stressed out and anxious
about games, but my teammates Justin, Brian, Zack and I have played alongside each other for a
while now and that is reassuring. Hopefully, our practice and dedication will pay off.
As I walked on to the blazing hot turf, I thought to myself, What a great day for lacrosse.
My team and I walked to the mid field line to meet the other team. I adjusted my right hand to fit
in the cuff of my glove so I could shake hands with the enemy. One of the defenders hobbled
over to me, looked down and said Good luck. I replied You too and walked to my position
on the field. I have been guarded by large defenders before but this guy was 67. Though he was
taller than me he did not look very coordinated. I had to admit; however, that his size was
intimidating.
The referee said Down.Setand he blew his whistle. Justin clamped the ball and
started down the field, straight for me. I ran hastily over to the left side of the field ready for a
fast break. Justin skipped the ball to me; I caught the ball and switched to my left hand. I passed

Hedrick 2

the ball as quickly as I could down to Zack. He caught the ball and ripped a shot at the goal. The
sound of metal reverberated through the stadium.
Twenty minutes had passed and I was playing middie. I was running as fast as I could down
the endline. Two defenders were chasing me and I couldnt shake them, but all I needed to do
was cross the midline. Adrenaline surged through my body and I ran faster than ever speeding
over the midline. Zack and Brian had already set up for a fast break. I passed the ball down to
Brian. He caught it and yelled out Indiana, Indiana! and ran behind the cage.
Indiana is a play where whomever has the ball runs behind the cage and tries to beat their
defender. Everybody else clears out of his way so he has room to dodge. Brian, as usual, proves
he is our best player by making his defender fall. After that it was a piece of cake getting the ball
past the goalie. We all high fived and got ready for the next play to start. This time Justin was
struggling with the face off. A player from the other team swooped in and picked up the ball and
I was released from the box. The guy who picked up the ball was on my side of the field so I
sprinted up to the midline and swung to check his stick just as he passed over. The ball went
flying in the air. I ran towards the ball and viciously picked it up. Zack and Brian were both
calling for the ball, but I just keep running. The clock was winding down so I swung my stick
back, tightened every muscle in my body, and flung the ball straight into the top left corner of the
goal. My teammates, filled with joy rushed over to me. After a quick celebration we huddled up
and chanted Ra-Ra Sharks then lined up to shake hands. I was second in line behind the goalie.
I love being in the front of the line so I can get water first.

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Once we finished shaking the other team's hands, we jogged over to our coach. After a
brief talk he lined us up to hold a sign saying we were champions. All of the moms sprinted over
with their cameras and phones to take pictures. Afterwards I walked over to a cooler and pulled
out an icy blue gatorade. I took a few sips but was interrupted by my mom lifting me up for a
huge hug. When the hug was over I picked up my bag, walked to my car and got in. As soon as
my head hit the warm leather seat, I fell right to sleep.