This is a completely different level of competition. The running, the screening, the way they defend -- everything is a step harder. You play just the best teams. And it's fun, because this place is huge.

I just tried to hold my ground. If he bumped into me, I wasn't going to give him any room. Fortunately, that was his fifth foul.

Competition always keeps your head on straight. He knows Dimitri (Linton) is a good running back. He knows we're bringing in one of the better running backs in the country. That's the beauty of competition, right? It keeps everybody pressing on.

We believe we are the people who represent the top echelon of marathon running. This is about competition. We believe this is the most exciting thing to happen in our sport in quite some time.

Winning isn't about finishing in first place. It isn't about beating the others. It is about overcoming yourself. Overcoming your body, your limitations, and your fears. Winning means surpassing yourself and turning your dreams into reality.

The numbers have brought great concern to the (School) District.