Team Manager CHAMP!
Chapter 5
“IT’S FUN to hang out with a former student,” Ardith said. “I feel like I can relax a little.”
“I hope so. Bartley is a nice town but it does gossip.” They’d chosen to meet at Becky’s Café in County Seat for a mid-afternoon cup of coffee. PJ’s in Bartley was a favorite teen hangout in Bartley.
“How is college going?”
“Oh, pretty well. Dennis and I are at about the same point now that he’s accelerated his studies. It’s nice to have him there, and the girls love him, of course,” Brenda said.
“The girlfriends?”
“Oh, yeah. But I mean the DMACC basketball team. Coach Dearborn had him teach a clinic Friday morning. You wouldn’t believe how much our free throws improved in just one session.”
“I forget how far ahead you are in college than we are in high school training. We can’t start any basketball until November,” Ardith said. “Which is okay, because I’ve been pretty busy with cross country.” It was nearly October and the Bartley team had run in four meets. The girls had amassed a first, third, and fourth in the three meets. The boys had surprisingly come in third and thirteenth in the two team meets for boys. Dennis had placed fifth the day before and first a week ago.
“We have scrimmages starting in two weeks. Officially the season doesn’t start until November five. But it was nice to start practice this week. Even though it’s really just workouts.”
“I wish I could start working with the girls now.”
“Don’t worry. They’ll be in great shape and ready to play when you see them for tryouts. Dennis has them all working on drills,” Brenda laughed.
“I hope that’s legal. Technically, we’ve given him a coaching position. But he’s a student, so we don’t monitor what he’s doing in the off-season. It’s complicated,” Ardith said.
“On their own time and off school grounds,” Brenda laughed. “Tori’s barn is getting a workout.”
“I couldn’t believe the setup there when I visited on Labor Day. It was… really nice to be included,” Ardith said.
“We’d like to include you a lot more, Ardith,” Brenda said, reaching across to touch her former coach’s hand. Ardith smiled at her.
“Own time and off school grounds doesn’t quite comply with teacher-student relationships.”
“Are you um… exploring things with Coach Lyle and his family?” Brenda asked. Her whole point of having coffee with Ardith was ascertaining how interested she was in Dennis and the girls.
“No. They’re really nice and we hit it off well. But they are definitely not looking to expand their family. And I’m really much too young for them. We’re just good friends.”
“Are we too young for you?” Brenda asked.
“Brenda, that’s getting close to a subject I have to be really careful of. I like you girls and Dennis a lot. There’s not that much difference between your age and mine. Soon we’ll both be in our twenties. When I’m with you guys, I feel younger than ever, but I have to maintain an aura of maturity as a teacher. If I were a college instructor, it would be a different ballgame entirely.”
“We might hold you to that,” Brenda laughed. “Believe me, we’re very fond of you. But we’ll try not to tempt you into anything any of us could get in trouble for. Just know that… Well, those of us who are definitely long term in this relationship really like you. As more than a teacher and a coach.”
The main point of the conversation had been achieved, but the two women didn’t just break it off and go home. After coffee, they went window shopping and somehow, Brenda’s hand found its way into Ardith’s. When they got back to their cars to go home, they paused for a sweet and gentle kiss.
The Angelines snapped a nine-match losing streak in volleyball Tuesday night that had included being blanked six times in the Timberwolves Tourney the previous week. The good part about the long string of losses was that no one was being too hard on the football team, who lost their fifth straight at homecoming Friday night. The team was predominantly freshmen and sophomores, so there was a good chance they’d strengthen the next year.
The senior boys who would have rounded out the team were running cross country and had a big meet on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, everyone was a little off Saturday, though. Dennis came in eighth of thirty-six runners and the team placed last. Janice took third place in the girls’ event, but the other girls just didn’t have the juice to place well and the team came in third of five.
Everyone was tired when they showed up for the homecoming dance Saturday night.
“What happened at the meet this morning?” Chris asked when she and Donnie joined the crew for a bit at the dance. Donnie had placed thirteenth, about fifty seconds behind Dennis.
“It was a slog,” Dennis said. “I think my feet are still stuck in the mud out there somewhere. Janice usually beats the time I posted today.”
“But not today,” Janice added. “Two minutes off what I’ve been running all week! The only reason I got third was because three girls running almost beside me slipped in the mud and fell. They looked a real mess when they crossed the finish line. Not that any of us weren’t spattered up to our waists.”
“We were wiping mud off each other all the way back to school,” Diane said. “I’ve run this race five minutes faster than what I clocked today. Twenty-ninth out of forty-one, with Carrie and Bobbie right behind me.”
“Points are points. The team still came in third,” Janice said.
“Better than our fourth of four,” Donnie said. “There were four other teams who didn’t even have full teams there. They all took one look at the weather and bailed.”
“The rain didn’t help the football team last night, either,” Drew said. “I really felt bad for those guys—getting blanked by the Wildcats.”
“They’ll get better,” Dennis said. “I talked to Coach Lyle and he’s really working with them on body building. They just don’t have the strength yet to stand their ground. The Wildcats’ left tackle was almost as big as Coach! Did you see him?”
“They could have just given him the ball and no one would have been able to bring him down.”
“He did score on that recovered fumble. Three guys were hanging off him when he crossed the goal line.”
“Hey, boyfriend. Take me out to dance,” Lana said, grabbing hold of Dennis.
“I wasn’t sure you were going to make it tonight,” he said as they moved together for a slow dance.
“I’ve got so much homework, I can’t see straight,” she moaned.
“You must be taking a huge load. No study hall even?”
“Can’t do what I want to do without the classes,” she said.
“What is it you want to do?” Dennis asked.
“Be with you,” she whispered, hugging him tightly.
Bartley had its first home cross country meet on Tuesday. It was officially their only home meet, but they were hosting the conference meet the next week. Conditions were good and everyone was really charged up. They were running anyone who wanted to run as either varsity or JV.
Dennis dropped his time back to 17:00, a season best, but only good enough for third place. The cluster of Bartley’s other runners brought them into fourth place of six teams. The Angelines brought it on strong and even though Janice’s 19:29 put her in third place individually, the rest of the team placed in the top twenty of fifty-three runners and took their second meet victory of the season.
The next week saw a repeat with Dennis placing first in the conference and his team getting third of seven. Janice got another third to lead the team to first place in the conference. The runners felt like they were gaining momentum, and looked forward to the state qualifier meet the next week.
The next night, the football team ended its season with a loss in the first round of the state competition to end their season one and seven. The volleyball team survived its first round in the regional tournament, but fell to the Timberwolves in the quarterfinal on Wednesday. Dennis and Brenda were struggling through midterms, but Dennis was ready for the qualifier on Thursday.
Six full teams were in the girls’ race with eight other schools represented with partials or individual runners. Janice ran a solid 19:42, good for third place. But with Liz in sixth, Diane in twelfth, and Carrie in sixteenth, the girls nailed another first place team finish and would all be headed for the state championship.
Twelve boys’ teams gathered for the Thursday afternoon meet plus representatives of four other schools. Ninety-six runners took off and Dennis’s 17:05 was good for fifth place and a slot in the finals. The guys turned it on in this race and all came in under twenty minutes. They were sixteen points out of second place, though, and the team would not progress to the finals.
“Dennis, we’re headed over to the new athletic pavilion for an official tour,” Ardith said. “Come and join us.”
“Thanks, Coach. I’ve been looking forward to this all fall,” he said, closing his laptop and grabbing his bag.
“We all have. This is going to mean some big changes in our program. Not the least of which is an inaugural season in our new facility.” They walked side-by-side behind the other coaches, the principal, and the school board. Dennis was acutely aware of Ardith next to him as she occasionally brushed against his shoulder with hers.
Brenda had said Ardith was interested, but no one could do anything until after graduation. That was still seven months away. So, he quietly enjoyed the slight touches without giving any outward signs.
“So, the plan is to have all the coaches lined up to my right with the school board, guests from AgCentral, Administration, and other teachers on my left,” Superintendent Jones said. “The student body has chosen a representative from each class to cut the ribbon. Ahem… I should clarify. Dennis, since you are officially representing the coaches, you were ineligible for the voting for representative in cutting the ribbon. So, there will be a lot of photos taken before the ribbon is cut. The ribbon will be held by the CEO of AgCentral on one side and Coach Griffiths as Athletic Director on the other side.”
“What day is this on?” Dennis asked.
“This will be after school—early out that day—on Monday, November 1. That’s the first day of the second term. And the first official events in the facility will be basketball and wrestling tryouts. After the ribbon cutting, there will be tours of the new facility and the boosters are arranging to serve refreshments,” Jones concluded.
The coaches and administrators wandered through the building, poking into the new locker rooms, weight room, fitness center, and gymnasium.
“It’s pretty impressive, isn’t it?” Ardith asked.
“I hope it’s worth all the compromises the community went through to get it,” Dennis said. “I was embarrassed when we hosted the conference race. Running down along the river, the smell of the pigs was choking.”
“I heard some comments,” Ardith said. “And that’s only the beginning of their production over there. At least the gymnasium has an air filtration system. They’re required by the state now. I understand even the school buildings are going to be refit with filtration systems to help fight pollution and disease.”
“I suppose it’s a good idea. I should write something about that for my blog.”
First term finals at Bartley started on Monday. Dennis had only two classes, so after his finals in statistics and biology, he was free to work with available team managers to begin organizing and moving equipment from the high school to the new athletic pavilion. Professional movers were taking care of the fitness equipment that was being moved, but students were helping as time permitted to sort and move everything in the equipment cages and in storage. There was a tunnel from the school building to the athletic pavilion so students wouldn’t need to go outside for practice and training.
Gym classes would continue to be held in the old facility and the locker rooms were slated for renovation over the winter break. Fitness and conditioning sessions led by Dennis would also be in the old building to provide access for the community until the facilities had been properly organized. Teams would traipse back through the tunnel for practice in the new facility. They all expected a measure of chaos to surround the move and everyone was looking forward to the traditional boys’ varsity vs. girls’ varsity basketball game the day before Thanksgiving break. A week later, they would host the first official game in the new gym.
“What are all of these?” Thoms asked, holding up an unopened box. “Jump ropes?”
“I didn’t know those had even arrived!” Dennis said. “I ordered them last spring and then forgot about them. Coach Byers was really going on a spree of buying equipment. I plan to work them into our fitness routines on occasion.”
“Huh. I used to be able to do that,” Thoms said. “I just jumped on my left leg instead of the right.”
“Bet you could still do it. I’ll work with you if you want.”
“Look!” Shelby said. “This entire closet is full of unopened basketballs!”
Following his directive from the boosters, Coach Byers had ordered any piece of sports equipment he could think of. Both the softball and baseball teams had all new equipment and there was an inflatable landing pad for the high jump amidst other track equipment. Not only that, but the junior high equipment cages were packed full as well. Junior high sports and gym would continue to be held in the old gym, but they’d benefit from having increased storage for their equipment in the former high school cages.
Then Coach Byers resigned in the wake of the scandal and brawl between the Wolverines and the Bulldogs. When the investigations revealed payoffs to the Bulldogs to put pressure on the Wolverines to lose games and meets, the state athletic association, IaHSAA, had suspended all Bulldog boys’ varsity sports for a year. The Wolverines had been lucky with only a few individual suspensions, and those were mostly seniors.
So, no Bulldog boys’ varsity teams appeared on any school’s schedule for the year. There were ways around it, though. The Bulldogs had moved their varsity players to the junior varsity for football and basketball. They had only managed to get half a dozen games scheduled, though, as most schools refused to play them. Interscholastic sports are a tight community and coaches talk together frequently. By and large Bartley had been seen to act nobly, including Coach Byers’ resignation. The Bulldogs coach had refused to resign, declaring none of it was his fault. He was fired. That last act by Coach Byers had cemented a favorable view of Bartley sports.
While the restitution of the Wolverines by all running cross country to make up for their behavior under Coach Andy had resulted in a positive cross country season, it had unquestionably damaged the football team. It remained to be seen how many of the seniors returning to varsity sports would try out for basketball. Si Goodman had already declared that he would be trying out for wrestling under Coach Lyle rather than playing basketball. If others joined him, that could damage the prospects of the varsity basketball team.
Dennis stretched out on the floor of the Armors’ family room and sighed. The Bartley term had ended and there was no school on Friday. The crew all decided to make Natalie’s house the destination for the night as they all took a breather.
“What’s on your mind, lover,” Natalie asked as she stretched out next to him.
“Oh, just how this season might pan out. I mean after I win the state cross country race Saturday,” he laughed.
“Good, positive thinking,” Diane said, sitting beside him. “We are definitely bringing home the gold in the girls’ race. I might not be the fastest runner, but we’ll be the top finishers as a team.”
“That’s the kind of positive thinking we need out there. You’ve all done remarkably well this year,” Dennis said. “It really shows how devoted you’ve been.”
“Well, it pays,” Diane said. “I’ve been recruited.”
“Really? That’s great!” Natalie said.
“The Iowa Northwestern Red Raiders. I’ll be playing ball up in Orange City.”
“Hooray! You won’t be so far away. We’ll be able to see you!” Rosie said. “Where is Orange City?”
“Um… It’s 200 miles from here. Up north of Sioux City. I’m afraid I won’t be all that close. We’re going to have a signing at the first team meeting with parents next Friday.”
“Still, you’re in the state. You might meet any of the rest of us on the court,” Natalie said.
“Speaking of which, where are you going, Natalie?” Brenda asked.
“Same as you,” Natalie said.
“You’re going to DMACC?” Leanne asked. “That’s insane.”
“No. Brenda needs to transfer to a four year program and we’re waiting to hear where Dennis is going before we declare,” Natalie said. “Sorry to put it all on your shoulders, honey, but we’re going with you.”
“Um… Yeah. And I’m really glad. You all know for me that being close enough to support Peg and Mom is important. So is the financial package,” Dennis said. “I’ve got several apps out and we’ve told you all about them. I guess we’ve been accepted at three different colleges so far, but no decision.”
“Aren’t you afraid you’ll lose your spot?” Amy asked.
“No, not really. Ardith told us not to be in too much of a hurry to sign. She says our worth will show up more during basketball season. I mean, if there’s a great opportunity for Natalie and Brenda, I’d choose that college. We just need to see,” Dennis said.
“I’m not letting the championship slip through my fingers this year. Right, girls?” Natalie declared.
“Right!”
“It’s going to be interesting,” Dennis said. “We play almost the exact same schedule this year as the boys’ team, but we’re ranked differently. Girls’ basketball will continue to have five classes, but boys’ basketball will only have four this year. So, the Angelines will be playing in the class 2A tournament and the Wolverines will play in the class 1A tournament.”
“I hope that doesn’t mean they’re putting us up against all the little schools again this year,” Judith growled.
“No. I’ve looked at the schedule and the majority of our games are against other 2A schools. We only have two games against 1A schools and three against 3A schools. We’ll have to work for everything this year.” Dennis sighed again. “I guess that was what was on my mind when I stretched out here. We played a lot of smaller and weaker schools last year. I’m afraid that might have contributed to the Wolverines’ winning season. I’m worried they’ll get discouraged and fall back into the ‘we can’t win anything’ mold of the old days. Especially following the results of the football season.”
“That was pretty brutal. But you said yourself that it was mostly a difference because of being young and inexperienced,” Lana said. “I wish we could transfer some of our skill and experience to them.”
“Sadly, it doesn’t work that way. At least they’ll be in good condition, though. That should take them part of the way there.”
Saturday morning was cold. Temperatures hit freezing during the night and everyone dressed warmly for the bus ride up to Fort Dodge. Since there were only eight runners making the trip with their two coaches, the cheerleaders and a few fans rode the same bus. Those few fans included all the non-competing girlfriends and a couple of the guys from the team who had caught the spirit during the season—or who had girlfriends among the cheerleaders or on the team. Tori, Diane, and Dennis were the only seniors running. Judith and Janice were the juniors. Liz and Bobbie were sophomores and Carrie was a freshman who showed the kind of promise Janice had as a freshman.
Everyone got back on the bus as soon as they were registered for their races and stayed there until time to go out and warm up. At twelve-thirty, when the girls’ race started, the temperature was just fifty-five degrees with a wind from the north at six to eight miles per hour. They were off at a good pace and their small cheering section was joined by a few parents who had made it up for the race. There were 152 runners competing and Janice had a little difficulty getting clear so she could stretch out to catch the frontrunners.
She caught the first four quickly, but though she closed the distance, she couldn’t quite capture the third place runner, even with her best time of the season at 19:20. The Spartan runner who came in first was a freshman who ran a blistering 18:20. As disappointed as Janice was in not having broken free earlier, the fact none of the top three places ran with teams meant she got first place points for the team competition. Diane and Liz ran almost step-for-step and crossed the line in seventeenth and eighteenth for the team competition, even though their individual placements were in the thirties. When the points were tallied with Carrie and Judith’s positions, the team won the state 1A title. Everyone crossed the finish line within two and a half minutes of Janice.
There wasn’t much time before Dennis had to line up for the boys’ championship race. Some of the schools had some seriously good runners with a lot of depth on their teams. Once the sixteen school teams were lined up, the 157 runners lined up in seeded order in the outside lanes. Dennis had just 200 meters to get free of the scrum before the course narrowed. After that it would be hard to get past anyone. They were off at 1:15 and by 1:30 they were heading into the final stretch for the chute. Dennis had staved off challenges from four other runners but still couldn’t catch the runners from the Cardinals, Chargers, and Wolves ahead of him. He settled for seventh place with a career best of 16:48.
The Cardinals had the opposite results that the Angelines had. They captured the first two places in a blistering 16:06 and 16:18. But the rest of their team was far back in twenty-first, fortieth, and seventieth, giving their team third overall. The Chargers took away the boys’ team honors.
It was a positive and upbeat team that boarded the bus home with medals and a trophy that would become the first new trophy displayed in the new athletic pavilion.
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