May the odds …
I set a goal for myself to read 20 books in 2025 (maybe I should change that to 25 books in ‘25?), and I am currently working on book number nine, so I feel pretty confident in my ability to reach my goal.
I started the year with book one of “The Hunger Games,” then launched into the “Throne of Glass” series of which I have read seven of the eight books, and I am currently reading “Sunrise on the Reaping,” which is a prequel to the Hunger Games series (please don’t judge me about the order of things).
In both of these series, the basic premise is a battle for survival. That is particularly true for the Hunger Games.
As I am reading about Haymitch Abernathy’s experience in the Capitol’s arena during the second Quarter Quell — or the 50th Hunger Games — I couldn’t help but start to make connections between the battle of the districts to emerge the victor of the games, and the battle of high school sports teams to bring home a state championship.
High school sports embody the spirit of competition and they remind us that every match is a tribute to resilience and teamwork. In their “arenas,” every athlete strives to rise to the occasion, proving that in the game, as in life, only the bold survive.
High school sports have emerged as a battleground where talent, training, and tenacity collide. Each competition pits teams from various districts — or schools — against one another for glory, pride and the ultimate victory. Each team comes to the arena armed with unique strengths and strategies, hoping to bring home the coveted title of State Champion. Tributes — or athletes — must emerge as leaders, utilize their strengths and skills, trust their teammates to play their part, and communicate effectively with one another to execute the game strategy to perfection.
The 3A Class in Wyoming has 16 districts — or teams — and among those, there are definitely schools that I would classify as “Careers.” They’ve been training from birth to win the games.
From the East Conference, Douglas and Buffalo would for sure emerge as Careers. They have firmly established traditions of winning, they have access to everything necessary to train to become the best, and they have the expectation of winning ingrained in them from childhood.
In the West, Cody would be the overall Career for most sports. Lovell and Lyman would level up in football, and Lander in boys swimming.
The remaining districts — schools — on both sides of the state will have their moments to shine, but the Career schools enjoy the greatest odds at victory.
In this scenario where only one team emerges triumphant, every contest becomes a testament to the relentless spirit of high school sports, turning ordinary communities into epic arenas where legends are born and stories are written.
As this spring season of Dogie sports unfolds, may the odds be ever in our little district’s favor.