For most of my life, football has dominated my life. Every Friday night after elementary school, I would go to Danvers Arena and play with my friends. This experience lasted until my sophomore year of high school when I met a man who changed everything. When the 10th grade fall football season ended, I realized I was grotesquely out of shape and needed to do something productive in the off-season. Many of my friends ran cross country and encouraged me to do indoor track with them. With a little encouragement from my parents, I was enrolled. The first day I met the head coach, Steve Sawyer. As he listed the events, I decided I wanted to run the 300 meter and never do the hurdles. As a result, Sawyer looked at my long legs and pointed to the obstacles, I walked towards me with fear in my stomach. The 6'5" hurdles captain, August Kawski, welcomed me with open arms and got me started straight away. It was hard work, hurdle racing required great flexibility and I was as flexible as a rebar But with help from Sawyers combined with encouragement....