This continued as I reached my adolescence when I was played Varsity Basketball in High School, my school was decent and we won a couple of championships. I had a few offers to play Division III, but my heart was D-1 or bust. I had no problems walking away from competitive athletics when matriculating into my undergraduate institution. As I went through my first semester of classes at Bucknell, something felt out of place, although I had more idle time on my hands, it was weird not to have practice or a pick-up game to play. My competitive spirit yearned for competition to prove your worth.
Granted with all the idle time on my hands, I did find other things to occupy my time besides studying. Those who know me, know I tend to act a tad bit 'goofy', 'silly' or even play the occasional practical joke. Well one day, I may have taken it bit too far with one of my good friends to this day DT. I saw DT coming around the corner of our frosh hall. DT, god bless her, she is one of the most well rounded athletes I have ever been around, heptathlete, (sprints like a 8.0 60, shot puts really far), you get the picture, she more than holds her own with anybody. (Beautiful Spirit and awesome friend!) Pretty much at that time, I was not as healthy as I am now, maybe 155 soaking wet. I had a strong aversion to lifting weights for some reason (another story for another time)
So back to the story...I see DT coming around the corner with books in tow on her way to class. I jump out at her and surprise the hell out of her which causes her books to fly...(I know that was mean, but hey, still funny!) I'm rolling on the floor laughing out loud, saying Gotcha! to DT. As I am rolling around on the floor, I slowly notice that DT's facial expression changes from shock to realization to anger. So I did what any smart dude did in this situation...
I ran like I was Usain Bolt.....(Yeah, I ran from a girl, so what! See my description of me earlier)
The girl was a highly trained thrower and athlete. If she caught me it would have been a wrap! (Think Baby Dee vs. Day-Day in Next Friday) So I balled out in my flip flops to my room, locked the door, turned on the PS2...(I know PS2 a throwback) and let her beat on my door like she was Fred Flintstone.
So at dinner we caught up, I apologized. I was like that joke was too good to pass up. She laughed and said you should come out for Track. I was like, I'm not fast, I'm a baller. I dunk and shoot J's. She insisted that I come out and the rest as you say is history.... I traded in my hooping shorts and Jordans for a one piece unitard and track spikes...
This is me in action at the Patriot League Indoor Championships at Navy (2006)
Commentary - M. Contino (aka The Mayor)
Brief Bio...compiled from College Days
2004-05: [Indoors] -- Scored a sixth-place finish in the triple jump at the Patriot League Championships with a personal-best leap of 43'10 1/2" ... jumped a season-best mark of 20'6 1/2" in the long jump to finish 10th at the PL meet ... highest individual finish was a fourth-place performance in the triple jump at the Doug Raymond Invitational at Kent State. [Outdoors] -- Finished fourth in the triple jump at the PL Championships with a season-best jump of 44' 3/4" ... jumped a season-best in the long jump at the Lehigh Games(20'9 1/2") ... took top honors in the triple jump at the Lehigh Games (41'10").
2003-04: [Indoors] -- Best performance in the triple jump was 43'2 1/4" at the Gulden Relays...top mark in the long jump was 21'1 1/2' at the Bucknell Winter Classic. [Outdoors] -- Placed sixth in both the long (22' 3/4") and triple jumps (44'8") at the Patriot League Championships...also recored personal bests in both events at the meet.
2002-03: [Indoors] -- Jumped a season-best of 40'8 3/4" in the triple jump at both the Bucknell Octagonal and the Bison Open. [Outdoors] -- Ran personal best time in the 100m at the Big Dawg Invitational (12.23)...best mark in the triple jump was 41'2" at the Susquehanna Invitation.
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