“A Lift To The Top” — A Synopsis

           This short story is a coming of age story about an intelligent and athletic 13-year-old boy who grew up in Highland Park, Michigan.  It is also a tribute to his excellent coach, Mr. Kenneth Mapp, a man of color who rarely received the recognition he deserved, but never complained. Mr. Mapp assigns the boy to learn the mentally challenging and physically demanding track & field event called the running hop, step, and jump (now known as the triple jump).  This event was not performed then, and is still not, performed in Michigan’s high schools. Therefore, the coach knows very little about this event. The only training facility they can use is an elementary school’s dirt covered playground.
           Despite their lack of knowledge, lack of facilities, and lack of time, together they overcome all obstacles. The boy not only learns the event, he competes for the top position at the 1963, Michigan Youth Fitness Championship.
           At the beginning of the story, we can see that the boy is highly athletic and studious, but over the next two months, he also evolves into a highly sensitive and perspicacious young man. He can see that his coach is making him a better athlete and a better person. He also begins to understand why his coach's skills are not fully appreciated. As a thank you to his coach and to give him the recognition he deserves, he honors his coach, in his own 13-year-old special way.
           This story is not only about a boy learning to become a good athlete. It is also about Mr. Kenneth Mapp, the city of Highland Park, MI, race relations in the United States, and how racism can affect a 13-year-old boy.