The Penn Relays

The atmosphere at Franklin Field was electric. The grandstands were packed, the crowd buzzing with anticipation. Jess stood at the edge of the track, trying to shake off the nerves that had been building since she arrived. She had trained for this. She was ready.

Back home, her friends had gathered in the apartment, the television tuned into the live broadcast of the Penn Relays. Kevin, Ryan, Leanna, Olivia, and Hannah had set up snacks, banners, and even a homemade sign that read: GO JESS! BRING HOME THE GOLD!

"I can't believe she's actually competing at Penn," Olivia said, bouncing excitedly on the couch.

"I can," Ryan replied confidently. "She’s been working her ass off for this."

Kevin leaned back with his arms crossed. "Yeah, yeah. She better not choke."

Leanna smirked. "You know she won’t."

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College Women’s Pole Vault

Jess adjusted her grip on the pole, taking a deep breath as she eyed the bar set at her personal best height. She had already cleared her previous attempts, but the competition was fierce. She was up against some of the best collegiate vaulters in the country.

She took off, sprinting with everything she had, planting the pole and launching herself into the air. For a moment, she felt weightless, the bar just inches below her. But as she reached the peak, her foot clipped the bar ever so slightly. It wobbled, then fell.

Jess landed on the mat, staring up at the sky as the reality settled in.

4th place.

She had beaten her personal best, but it wasn’t enough for a medal. Still, she reminded herself, she had come a long way. Months ago, she had struggled just to clear the bar. Now she had placed fourth at Penn Relays. That meant something.

She shook off her disappointment and refocused. The real event was still ahead.

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College Women’s 4x400 Relay

The relay team gathered near the starting line, nerves and adrenaline coursing through them. Jess was running anchor—the final leg—and Emma was handing off to her.

"We need to make up ground," Emma muttered as they stretched. "Think you can pull us through?"

Jess smirked. "Just get me the baton. I'll handle the rest."

The gun went off, and the first three runners launched from the blocks. Jess watched intently as her teammates battled for position. When Emma took the baton for the third leg, they were in third place.

Jess’s heart pounded as Emma sprinted the curve, closing the gap. As Emma approached, she extended the baton forward, and Jess snatched it without breaking stride.

Then she ran. Everything around her faded—the roaring crowd, the announcer’s voice, even the burning in her legs. All that mattered was the finish line. She pushed harder, gaining on the second-place runner, passing her in the backstretch.

The leader was just ahead. Digging deep, Jess forced herself to go faster. Her arms pumped, her legs burned, but she didn’t slow down. Inch by inch, she closed the gap until, in the final stretch, she lunged forward at the finish line.

The stadium erupted. Jess stumbled to a stop, chest heaving, eyes darting to the scoreboard.

1ST PLACE – COLLEGE WOMEN’S 4X400 RELAY

They had won.

Emma tackled Jess in a hug, their teammates piling on, screaming in triumph. They had done it. They were Penn Relays Champions.

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Back home, the apartment exploded in cheers. Kevin jumped up, nearly knocking over the snack table. Olivia and Hannah screamed, and Ryan pumped his fist in the air.

"She did it!" Ryan shouted.

Leanna smiled, nodding. "Told you."

Kevin grinned, shaking his head. "Alright. Fine. That was badass."

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Jess stood on the podium, gold medal around her neck, the cheers of the crowd still ringing in her ears. She had come to Penn as an underdog, but she was leaving as a champion.

And for the first time in a long time, she knew she belonged here.