Thomas Winterton- Post 11

I sit next to my long time friend Thomas Werner, If I could describe my friend in one word I would say that word would be... Clever. In the years I've known Thomas I have never once met a person as intellectually opposing as him. I feel in most situations I am one of the smartest, most well equipped person in the room, not only intellectually, but in terms of social and political smarts as well, that is until Werner walks into the room (I don't know why but I found myself smirking as I typed that.) Werner is not only mentally gifted but physically gifted as well, In the time I played lacrosse with him he was with out a doubt the most difficult player I had ever defended against. He had it all, strength, speed, and the most important skill he possessed was his  lacrosse "smarts." He knew what he could do and couldn't do, and as such it was rare to see him truly fail. I am truly thankful to have a friend like him. I think what made our friendship so strong is that we both possess such strong competitive spirits that we never let the other win in any fashion, whether it was in lacrosse, academics (which I admit he amply beats me in that category) or in the friendly discussions that we commonly engage in. My point is that Werner has made me better as an individual through the competitiveness that is inlaid in both of us and in a way I look up to my friend. 

I want to share a story that accurately describes our friendship. We were at lacrosse practice as usual, It was our 8th grade year at TCMS. We were in the latter part of practice and I dont remember if there was a ground ball in a scrimmage or if him and I were matched in a ground ball drill. There was a ground ball, which is lacrosse lingo for the ball had been dropped and no one possessed it. Werner played offense and I played defense, We battled for it. trying to get the leverage needed to get the ball, we didn't budge. Finally the contact broke and we both went for the ball, our sticks met, both of us pushing trying to over power the other, nothing happened. In the times my friend and I are at discussion etc, we don't give the other anything, this relationship has made me a better person and has given my a friendship that I hope lasts for many years to come.