A week later, athletes and teachers from the participating schools came to Ring Lake Middle School. The students in different events would be practicing together several times a week leading up to the Olympic Fest.
Mrs. Fitch started the outdoor events first. When she had the runners and cyclists all set up, she headed over to Kyle and the rest of the track-and-field athletes.
Kyle glanced at the other athletes. He recognized one boy, Sam, from his math class. Kyle waved and made his way over.
“Hey, how’s it going?” Sam asked.
“Okay,” Kyle replied. He studied the items lying on the ground. There was a round, heavy-looking ball; a long spear; what looked like a metal Frisbee; and a ball attached to a wire and handle.
How hard can it be? Kyle thought.
“Okay, everyone,” Mrs. Fitch said. “I’ll be coaching your group. You get to participate in my favorite events from the Summer Olympics. The throwing challenges are extremely tough.”
Mrs. Fitch hefted the handle for one of the throwing instruments. It looked like a steel softball attached to a metal wire.
“This is the hammer,” Mrs. Fitch explained. “Make sure no one is standing around you before you get ready to throw.”
Mrs. Fitch motioned for the students to back up. Once they were clear, she spun the hammer around her head twice, then spun herself around three times really quickly.
With a yell, Mrs. Fitch let go of the hammer. The group gasped as the hammer flew from her hands. It flew out into the field before landing and kicking up a swatch of dirt.
“Wow,” Kyle said. “That looks tough.”
A big guy smirked. “Yeah, right. Maybe for you,” he said.
Sam shook his head. “That’s Trevor,” he whispered. “Just ignore him. I’ve heard he’s really competitive.”
“Yeah,” Kyle said. “I guess.”
Mrs. Fitch had each athlete come up and try the hammer throw. It was difficult for almost everyone. One student got tangled up and fell down. Another threw it about four yards. Trevor threw it the farthest, as if it were easy.
“Your turn, Kyle,” Mrs. Fitch said, handing him the hammer.
Kyle took a deep breath and twirled the ball around his head. Remembering how Mrs. Fitch had done it, he lowered it so that his whole body spun around.
“That’s it,” Mrs. Fitch called.
Kyle suddenly felt dizzy. He tried to concentrate on letting go at the right time. He released the handle. Then he heard the rest of the track-and-field athletes gasp.