Read on Twitter
So the Chariot Races are an annual @SIHSSports and @SIHSCleveland tradition. @Shwyman_87 and I were pretty irreverent on the broadcast back in 2011. But here's what stood out when I rewatched: https://twitter.com/SIHSSports/status/1252975537716367360
Harrison Stadnik was the #1 Overall Seed. Why? In a race full of garbage cans and duct tape, he showed up with an expert paint job and shag rug carpeting. Needless to say that didn't win over the fans:
By the time we got into the races we had over 300 people watching. When it ended, over 1500. Wasn't sure at that time if I'd ever have more people attentive to what I was saying... what's more I was calling it with some of my best friends to this day.
We had a crash counter ... years later it would be sponsored by my parents as the "Panel Master Crash Counter". Hence, the need for a medical tent.
Father Vincent made hotdogs at "Cicero's Grill". But he didn't distribute. That was Brendan Crowley, one of the funniest, most eccentric people I've ever met. Dollar a dog.
@John_Fanta, not seen or heard, was quoted as saying he wanted one minutes earlier.
@John_Fanta, not seen or heard, was quoted as saying he wanted one minutes earlier.
Now for those who play Mario Kart, the worst thing you can throw on a race track is a banana. There were threats of retribution from Latin Department Chair Joseph Zebrak if any were tossed onto the track.
It took Jeremy Mannella, a grade school classmate of mine, less than thirty minutes to toss a peel. I was on his side however, "bet that banana was the most delicious thing he's ever eaten" as he is ejected.
I actually didn't understand the implications of this crash when I was 17 years old. Crash #69 late in the second period, an unexpected double crash. @Shwyman_87 is howling.
We got various teachers and athletes from every sports team to give their crash predictions. Mr. @Dave_Sabol said eighty, which he chided me at the time WAS an integer. Mr. @enolan42 gave me a number in the form of stoichiometry.
Now some of the races were actually pretty spectacular in context. And lessons were learned:
And the long necked Farrington pulled out an unreal last ditch win too against an infuriated Teddy Raddell.
Back to Stadnik... we thought he might be cheating...
"You want him to lose, but he just can't" And Stadnik's winning run continues - after all he is the "Duke or North Carolina of this tournament."
And truthfully, the sport coat he's wearing is not impressing our broadcast crew. He is being booed viciously as he sweeps his way to win after win.
In the end, even the greats fall sometimes. Harrison Stadnik loses, and that magic chariot, which I hope still exists somewhere, is out of the 2011 Chariot Races.
What happened to Harrison, just ask unkempt 2011 Mike Watts.
The NCAA got him...
The NCAA got him...
James Sheehan, a star linebacker on the football team ended up winning the 2011 Chariot Races Championship. The course is extended in the final, but it ended up being one big victory lap.
And James has the audacity to claim he is going to defend his title the following year. Did he? Truthfully I have zero idea.
But the final thoughts from @Shwyman_87, who summed the entire event up perfectly.
What do the Chariot Races actually teach you about Latin?
What do the Chariot Races actually teach you about Latin?
