Sports Santa, grant my wishes

All I want for Christmas is …
Well, that really doesn’t matter now, does it?
So, instead of sharing my boring personal Christmas list, how about instead I share some wishes for the world of athletics. If there is a Sports Santa, here are some of the things I’d like him to bring:

For Bailey McIntire — A state championship.
That’s a real possibility. McIntire, a South Adams High School junior, rose from 20th as a sophomore to 11th this season to earn a state medal. He was third among non-seniors, trailing only Curt Eckstein (third) of Oldenburg Academy and Gabe Fendel (ninth) of Hamilton Southeastern. Already a hard worker, the realization that just two runners separate him from the top of the podium could just be the motivation McIntire needs to become a state champion.

For Fort Recovery football — Continued excellence.
It was legitimate to wonder after the Indians’ first playoff season in 2014 whether they could sustain success or if it would be a blip on the team’s radar. They answered that question emphatically with a state championship. It would be silly to expect FRHS to reach that level on a regular basis, but hopefully the program can continue to perform at a playoff-worthy level for years to come.

For Jay County athletics — A return to Class 3A.
Sure, I’m a little bit early on this, as the next reclassification isn’t until 2017. But it doesn’t hurt to give Sports Santa a little bit of a head start. Being one of the smallest schools in Class 4A makes competing for tournament success a never-ending uphill climb. In Class 3A, the Patriots, in many sports, could be a regular contender at the regional level and beyond.

For every athlete — A special moment.
A week ago, Jay County High School senior Lyla Muhlenkamp had the night of her life. She hit 12 3-pointers — second-most in Indiana history — and tied the Patriots’ single-game record with 40 points. It’s an evening, no doubt, she’ll never forget. Not every athlete is going to be able to etch their name in the record books the way Lyla did, but everyone can hope to have that one moment for glory they will carry with them forever.

For the Cleveland Browns — Competence.
After two decades of disaster, first with the team moving to Baltimore and then the futility of the reborn version of the Brown and Orange, all Cleveland fans are more than a little frustrated. At this point, it’s not about winning a Super Bowl or even making the playoffs. Instead, it’s about simply playing respectable football on a regular basis. That would be a giant step in the right direction.

For the Indianapolis Colts — To not end up where the Cleveland Browns are.
I think you’re safe, Colts fans, thanks to having a young franchise quarterback. But your team has performed dismally of late and has the oldest roster in the National Football League with an average age of 27.2 years old. (The Rams are the youngest at 24.9.) Management of the roster over the next couple of years will be key to deciding if Indianapolis can be a contender for the next decade with Andrew Luck at the helm.

For the Cleveland Cavaliers — A championship.
I’m sure I wished for this during LeBron James’ first stint with Cleveland, but now I want it even more, for the team, for the city and for James. I know Golden State is the clear favorite, but consider that the Cavaliers put a scare into the defending champions last season despite having lost two of their best three players to playoff injuries. A title would be the final step of James’ return to beloved status in the city he once left to “take his talents to South Beach.”

For the College Football Playoff — Expansion to eight teams.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful to have any kind of playoff at all following 15 years of the ridiculous Bowl Championship Series. But to me, an expansion to eight teams would be the final step to college football playoff perfection. It would be big enough to get all the deserving teams in and still exclusive enough to keep the regular season meaningful.

For you — To live in the moment.
Sports are goal-focused, and they should be. Setting high expectations is important.
But we should also remember to savor everything that happens along the way trying to achieve those goals, from the preseason workouts, to the long practices to the regular-season competitions that serve as a prelude to the postseason. While keeping an eye on the ultimate prize, also take the time to enjoy the journey.
The best gift that sports brings is the shared experience.
Merry Christmas.