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The old adage that youth is wasted on all the wrong people, doesn’t hold true when it comes to teenaged Tornado’s, especially in a race. We knew that they were coming for the last two seasons, but this spring they have really arrived. Here are just some of their names and recent race results: Matt Alves (16) - high school 1600 meters 4:51
These are recent races this spring, but these young harriers seem to run even harder in training. They all have that deep reservoir of Tornado pride. After one of the Tour de Bayou races I did a cool down with some of them in the Ho-Chi-Mihn trails. I listened as each one of them recounted how they had beaten one another on training runs, yes training runs! They could recount the exact spot on the trail where they had overtaken the others. Then a debate would set in as to the accuracy of the statement, often followed by another time that they had bettered the rest. During the midst of these stories, it hit me. They were not bragging, rather they just loved, really loved competition. It was not an uncomfortable word that had to be disguised as a fun run. To them all runs were fun competitions, something in which to give your all. Their purity of passion for running and winning was truly refreshing. If we truly look down deep within ourselves and are honest, we love competition too. Our newest generation of Tornados learned their love of competition from their elders. Unfortunately they run many road races with those that they should be honoring! Not being the fleetest of the elder Tornados, I was hoping that when they got their first car or more than one girl friend, their passion for training would be deflected. Not so, their Tornado hearts are big enough for all three. They got me a year ago, and just this spring they even got their parents. Where will it all end? They certainly will be fun to watch (from behind) in the months and years to come, and the whole club is cheering for them.! Submitted by Jack McClintic
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