The Jerks From North Kitsap Essay, Research Paper
The Jerks from NK
November 14, 1999: What must have been the worst day in racing history, an entire cross country team was lost and found dead 21 miles off course by the Pacific Ocean. Here is the story of what was once thought to have been the best X-Country team ever.
NK Runner: (Heading to police car) “I swear I didn’t think they’d do it! It was just a joke. I mean, who in god’s name would go that far of course anyway!? I’m innocent I tells ya. INNOCENT!”
Police Man: Why did you tell them to run a different route, son? Why did you point them in the wrong direction?
NK Runner: It wasnt’t just me. It was my whole team. We didn’t think they’d go where we pointed. We didn’t actually think they’d run to Bear Cove for cryin’ out loud. We all had a good laugh when we watched the entire PA team go the wrong way, but had no idea it would lead to this.
Police Man: Lead to this indeed. The whole team was ripped apart by bears. How could you pull such a deceitful act, son?
NK Runner: It was just a joke…..
Throughout the day, runner by runner was interviewed. Everybody who was on the premesis was asked why such an incident could occur. “The Jerks From NK” was the conclusive result. Hated in just about every sport, NK had told the PA team to run down the wrong path, so PA did. This journal was found at Bear Cove. A journal you ask? Yes, PA had a journalist go along for the run with them. A former X-Country man himself, he’d pause to write, and then he’d run to catch up. Weird, yes, but everyone in town wanted to know what made the team keep on going. Here’s a few inserts from the journal.
We really must be ahead of the pack now for we have not seen another runner in sight for the longest time. It’s been 4 miles and we’re still the only ones around. We just got done pausing for a break because we think something’s a little bit fishy. Ever since those
20 more minutes of running and still nobody in sight. The team is getting a little ragged. We’re starting to think we took a wrong turn because we know NK would never send us in the wrong direction. We’re getting weak and tired and do not know what to do. It’s starting to rain and it’s getting dark out. We have no provisions because we figured the race would be over in about a half hour. It’s been 3 or 4 hours and we’re lost. We don’t know where to turn…
We just saw a sign called “Bear Cove”……there are bones everywhere. Animal bones we presume. There’s a huge stream running over yonder. I have seen three salmon jump already. Bear Cove is a very scary name. I wonder if there are truly bears around here…..I’m starting to think those NK guys pointed us in the wrong direction. Or did we just take a wrong turn??
Nightfall. According to my watch it’s been 13 hours since we were at the beginning of the race. I’m getting very worried. The team seems to think someone will find us soon. I know for a fact nobody hikes into Bear Cove without a gun. I’m scared. I don’t know what to do. I’m getting tired of writing. Maybe it’s time to pack away my things for the night. I don’t see how we’re going to sleep……I just heard a loud growl…….Now I’m scared to death….
It’s now morning. Scott, Alex, and Frankie are nowhere to be seen. There are blood streaks around the big logs so we think they were probably eaten by bears. Well that’s what I think, the others are in denial right now. We cannot believe this is happening to us. How could we have been so stupid? It must have been NK. I know for a fact it was. They didn’t want PA to win the race so they pointed us in the wrong direction. If we ever get back alive, I’ll make a hit list with all their names on it!!
I’m growing weak. Not only did I run a lot….I haven’t eaten in 24 hours. AHHhhhh