In+It+to+Win+It

Michelle Ip  In It To Win It

“Don’t forget, this is all or nothing!” Coach Jensen hollered at me. “You’re in it to win it!” He continued, every word echoing and busting my eardrums. “This is the championship!” I smiled nervously. Our team has gotten second for 6 years in a row now, but Coach Jensen was certain we’d win since I was team captain this year. I scurried off to the prep-room, my ears still ringing. Ten feet away, I could smell the sweat and stench of too many people squished into a small room. I scanned the sea of people for my friend Kylie, but she was nowhere in sight. I made my path through the bustling crowd, getting pushed and shoved the entire time. I snatched my beat-up bag, the bright golden emblem on the side now a dirty blond. I struggled as I tried to put on my elbow-pads. While I was adjusting my shin guards, someone poked me on the shoulder. A sudden squeal burst out of my mouth as I tossed my hand glove in the air and shifted into a defensive stance. “Relax, Melanie, it’s only me,” Kylie said, giggling. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you!” I replied, slightly annoyed. “I got here late-just 5 minutes ago. I almost didn’t make it!” We both laughed hollowly, as if we had other things on our minds. “We should head out soon,” she added, turning solemn once more. “The tournament starts in less than an hour.” I pulled the ends of my crisp new black belt one more time, enjoying the satisfying snapping noise it made. I joined the crowd as I was carried out of the prep-room, boiling over in my sparring gear. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail, then put on my helmet. I split off from the crowd to find Coach Jensen to help me tie on my chest plate, which I could never do myself. I looked at all the people running by, getting pep talks, getting threatened to win or else. I wondered if any of them were as nervous as I was. I chewed on my thumbnail, praying that I wouldn’t have to fight in the first match. Knowing my luck, I probably was. As I was looking through my 3 by 1 inch eyehole in my helmet, I finally spotted him. Coach Jensen saw me too, and beckoned me over. Coach Jensen and 3 other coaches were standing around a table, talking about their star-sparrers. I hope I’m not one of them, I thought. But, of course, I was. “Melanie, meet the other coaches,” Coach Jensen said. “I’ve told them all about you,” he bellowed proudly. I smiled the best I could with a mouth guard. “She may not be the biggest, tallest, or oldest of my lineup but she is definitely the best. I feel sorry for whoever has to fight her.” If all the other coaches weren’t standing right there, I would have smacked my hand against my forehead. I wasn’t that good! I sighed. Now I had way more pressure to win than ever. If I wasn’t so worried about dirtying my new uniform, I would be seeing my lunch again for sure now. The crackling voice over the loudspeaker instructed us to take our seats. Once everyone was sitting down, I was able to scope out all my possible opponents. None of them looked too threatening, until I laid eyes on someone who looked vaguely familiar. Then it hit me, and I practically toppled off my chair. That someone was Mitchell, and he was my partner in gym. I stared at him, and he turned around and gave me the deer-in-the-headlights look. I could feel my face grow hot. A blinding light broke our stare as four spotlights traveled from the corners of the room and shined on the podium in the center ring. Sitting atop the podium was a gold band with a large diamond in the middle, the first place trophy. I felt a sudden urge to win, to impress everyone, to have that ring. I felt invincible for a split-second. So much power and longing surged through me that I was scared. How far would I go to win? I looked out at the stands that held hundreds of people. I swung my legs nervously, wishing I could get it over with already. The suspense was killing me! Finally, the faint buzzing of the scoreboard shuffling names for matches silenced everyone. All you could hear was the tick of the marble clock in the corner and beeping. I craned my neck upward to try to read it, and saw my name flash by twice. I could feel the tension in the room peaking as everyone stared in apprehension. The first and last matches were always the highlights. Eventually, the beeping slowed and I watched in horror as my name popped up. I almost screamed in terror when I found out I was sparring Mitchell. The buzzing stopped, and all heads turned to look at Mitchell and me. I felt dizzy and faint. This was the championship, and we’ve never won before. My whole team and Coach Jensen was counting on me. But Mitchell was my friend-probably one of my closest. Yesterday, we were laughing and joking in gym, and today we’re pitted against each other and out to kill. What to do? What to do? were the only thoughts racing through my mind as I stumbled up to the ring as if in a dream. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Coach Jensen give me the thumbs up. I gave a grimace in reply. I turned my attention back towards my opponent. He gave me a smile as he pulled on his helmet, and I tried to look confident as I smiled back. I lowered my facemask and reminded myself what will happen will happen. 