I thought I had escaped high school sports when we packed the kids and the car and left for a five-day trip to the Twin Lakes, an annual August family ritual.
We were backing out the boat owned by my uncle-in-law (is that a correct term?) Wednesday morning, when over my shoulder, I heard a whistle.
Hordes of boys were sprinting off the beach at into the water. Football practice for the Manson-Northwest Webster Cougars had gone aquatic.
I watched as we circled the lake. It appeared as if they were getting a …

We’ve published our list of finalists for the 2009 Gazette Athletes of the Year.
Winners will be announced Sunday.
Who are your picks, 1 through 5? And why?
MALE FINALISTS
Drew Clark, Marion
Keenan Davis, Cedar Rapids Washington
Matt Morrison, Solon
Scott Schebler, Cedar Rapids Prairie
Brett Van Sloten, Decorah
FEMALE FINALISTS
Katie Eiben, Springville
Jade Grimm, Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Shelby Kintzel, Mount Vernon
Missy Miller, Tipton
Sara Stoakes, North Tama