Marley stood at the end of the track, his belly doing jumping jacks.

It was his first meet and he was very nervous

“What if I do not do well or worse what if I fall” said Marley to Jake his best friend

“You won’t, you will do great” said Jake

“ Marley everyone is nervous sometimes when they try new things. You just know that we are proud of whatever you do and your team has your back.”

“But what if I let everyone down”, he sighed to coach Davis.

Coach Davis knelt beside Marley

Marley lines up for his first event, the 100 meters. 

His heart we pounding but he looked to the team and he calmed down

The gun went off and Marley pushed out the blocks.

“Runnnnn Marley”, Jake said cheering him on.

The race was over and Marley did not come first or second but fourth.

“I wasn’t fast enough to finish first”

“ You did great! You ran your best and that’s what matters”

Marley wasn’t so sure about that

This was the last event for Marley, the 4 x 100 meter relay.

The nerves came back but Jake was there to calm him a little.

The race was off, the first teammate passed the baton to Jake and he was running fast.

Jake passed the baton to Marley and yelled, “RUNNNNNNN MARLEYYYYYY!