The Real Winner is US

The major event in Angell County was the annual swim meet in which both county high schools competed for the coveted Perkins Trophy which went to the best swimmer in this competition. Polk High School normally won and this year was the favorite with Gabriel Torres, a/k/a (also known as) barracuda. Mitchell High School had Tim who was a strong swimmer but he had no nickname. Along with the trophy came bragging rights and $1,000.00 donated by the Widow Perkins to the winning school’s sports program. The winning coach also received recognition and an all expenses paid trip to Baja California.

Polk’s coach, Lenny Gantwell, had made the Baja Trip 11 times before and had already made his reservations for this year. After all nobody could beat The Barracuda.

Two days before the swim meet Mr. Epperson, the president of the school district announced that this year there would be three schools competing. Walden High School would be allowed to participate. Mr. Gantwell objected saying that Walden was a school for retards and this would break Angell County tradition. Mr. Epperson advised that Walden had had a “Special Olympics” and had selected Matthew Files to be their champion, and that Matthew would be allowed to compete. Matthew had been born with downs syndrome and could swim but he was far behind Tim and Gabriel in swimming ability, and his heart was as big as the Nations Park Pool. Everyone who knew Matthew loved him even though his measurable IQ was about 60 and his coordination was far below that of a typical 15 year old.

Mr. Gantwell objected again saying that Matthew’s entry in this annual event would “cheapen it”. He was overruled.

May 15th was here. It seemed that the entire town was at the Nations Park Pool. Mitchell and Polk had their bands alternating songs as the students cheered and sang. Walden had Jessica Phillips, Matthew’s teacher, read a poem that the class had composed for this event.

Gantwell who was very upset about the Walden entry had secretly enlisted Bary Jones, Polk’s “Most Popular”, to lead the students in a strategic attack on “the retard”. Jones was elated that he was recruited to this end.

10:00 AM, the Star Spangled Banner was played, Mrs. Leechman led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and Reverend Leechman said an opening prayer. He prayed that the Lord would let the best man win the contest.

The contestants were at the north end of the pool doing stretching exercises and warming up, two of the contestants that is. Matthew was just standing there looking into the crowd smiling his sweet smile and waving to his class with his right hand. They were all cheering their loving hero. Gantwell was glaring.

“Swimmers get on your mark!!” screamed the starter. The three boys moved to their assigned positions. The crowd all stood. “Get set!!” A hush enveloped the crowd. “BANNNG!!” went the starter’s pistol. The Barracuda dove into the water like a glistening saber cutting the water like surgeon; Tim followed close behind. Matthew was confused and failed to dive in at the gun. The crowd screamed, "Dive in, Matthew, dive in!!” He got the message but was a quarter pool length behind already.

The Barracuda was two body lengths ahead of Tim, both were swimming with every bit of strength they could muster. On the return lap they passed Matthew as he reached the half way point of his first lap. It was evident that Matthew was putting his whole heart in the swim also, and his class was cheering his name over and over. His face beamed as he heard their cheers.

After Matthew’s first turn-around, Bary Jones began his job. He began cheering Matthew’s name and then changed the cheer to “Matthew - Retard, Matthew - Retard!!” He was soon joined by several of his henchmen and their chant stifled Matthew’s small class in their cheering.

Barracuda and Tim made the second turn, and glided with power towards Matthew who by now was struggling. His face was missing its normal smile as he made the second turn. Tim heard the chanting and slowed down as Barracuda flashed onward. The pernicious chants grew as a few others in the crowd thought it was funny. Matthew struggled further, it was obvious he was crying as he reached the third turn where he caught up to Tim.

Tim told Matthew, “You’re in second place Matthew, keep on going you’re a champion.” Bary Jones began a chant ridiculing Tim along with maintaining the hurtful verbal darts aimed at Matthew.

Gantwell was so excited about Barracuda’s lead that he forgot where he was and he began to SCREAM, “MATTHEW - RETARD, MATTHEW - RETARD!!” louder than anyone.

Fourth turn, last lap, Barracuda is far ahead. Barracuda heard his coach’s screams about Matthew. All of a sudden Barracuda began to slow down. His coach noticed immediately and began screaming at him to pick it up. Gabriel slowed more; his coach screamed profanity. Matthew was catching up, Tim was close behind. Barry Jones grabbed a pile of towels and threw them on Matthew who panicked. Tim swam up to the towels that covered Matthew and cleared them away.

Half a lap to the finish, Matthew caught up and passed Gabriel. At two feet from the finish Matthew stopped. He looked over his shoulder and saw Gabriel and Tim treading water closely behind him. He grabbed their hands and with his they all touched the finish together. The crowd went crazy cheering with great joy, having seen the greatest race of all.

Gantwell was screaming at Gabriel, that he lost the race, that he was a loser, that he was a worthless greaser.

The Widow Perkins interrupted Gantwell’s insane antics and advised him and the crowd that this year there were no losers just winners and announced that all three schools were the winners.

Mr. Epperson then stood up and announced that there was in fact a loser. Right on the spot he fired Gantwell and said the Baja Trip for Polk this year would be going to a new swimming coach, Mario Aguilar.

By the way, Bary Jones, was never “Most Popular” anywhere again and died at 18 of a heroin overdose. Comeuppance.