What Makes a Winner?

College Admissions Essays - What Makes a Winner?

He was a wrestler made of flesh and blood. He wasn't made of rock.

Angel, devil, child - a man of ordinary stock.

But somehow he was different - true athletes always are

For though he cursed, and bled, and sweat, he prided in the scar.

They told him to win like a man,

no matter what the cost;

So many times he ventured forth;

so many times he lost.

And when they turned around, and said "Its OK son; you tried,"

He clenched his headgear in his fist, and like a man, he cried.

But from his tears came anger;

then, when it ceased to spin,

the wrestler rose again,

determined that the next time, he would win.

His trembling body strengthened; his heart soared in the sky,

his darkened soul stood flaming with the fire in his eye.

And so he worked relentlessly;

he struggled and he strained.

His conscience whipped him mercilessly

for every ounce he gained.

He ran on legs like pistons;

his muscled arms grew sore;

He'd tell himself, "I have to"

then ask himself, "What for?"

And then, at last, the reckoning;

the final hour was here.

His stomach lightened dangerously,

his muscles tensed with fear.

Weak-kneed, he shook the challenger's hand-and then,

as one possessed,

His instincts gave him power,

and his body did the rest.

It suddenly was ended.

His body seemed to shatter.

A crowd was cheering somewhere,

but to him, it didn't matter.

One thought was gleaming in his brain-a thought that made him smile: