It's that time of season again. The league championship is over. Some athletes are done, while many more finish this weekend and just the “cream of the crop” are headed to state level competition. Most of the heavy training is done. The hay is in the barn, as they say. Before you know it the mud-caked flats will be tossed into the back of the closet. Long runs on crisp days and oxygen sucking 800M repeats will be just a memory.

But before I'm put out to pasture, its time to stop and smell the roses. That's right! It is STAward time. This is where I recognize (with your help) the exceptional, unique and diverse talents of Hockomock cross country runners.

When at a loss for words, those of us who cover sports tend to revert to trite sayings. Why fight it? I'm out of ideas. So this season's category is “overworked expressions”.

I'll give you a saying and you have to give me the name of the athlete who comes to mind. The best part of this is that you can nominate a teammate, someone from another team or even yourself. And don't forget to tell me why. All appropriate comments will be published.

I typically hear from athletes, parents and fans from a half dozen teams. I wish everyone would get involved. It's fun, free and non-fattening. If you've never been a part of this process before, just check here to see the comments from cross country '06. Send nominations to northrunning@yahoo.com .

It's often difficult to follow in the footsteps of an older sibling. The expectations are automatically there. Is the best approach is to be your own person? Maybe, maybe not! Nothing wrong with following the same path as an older brother or sister! The desire to meet and maybe even exceed the successes of a sibling doesn't have to be a burden – it can be a great motivation.

Long after every performance, large crowds would gather for one more glimpse of “the King”. What made him such an idol? It wasn't just ability. There was an aura and uniqueness about him that drew in fans of all ilk. Pre for example had this quality. Oh, to be able to turn back the hands of time and watch him now.

Which graduating athlete do you wish could come back for a curtain call?

You know the quality is there. It just needs time and proper handling to form it into a valuable finished product.

“I'm not my brother's keeper” is a good way to say you aren't responsible for the actions of another. Some teammates would rather say, “I am my brother's keeper!”

Things can get pretty tense before a big meet. It hits some runners – or coaches - the night before. Others don't feel it until the bus ride. Maybe you can even keep the butterflys at bay until an hour before the race. But eventually you're going to feel that knot building as you fight the insecurity demons. It's inevitable. Some of us are better at hiding it than others.

How could I omit this one? The last two years I've handled hundreds of thousands. When I'm out on the mud flats, bone-weary after hours of work, and the tide is rushing back in, there's a serenity that comes in knowing you were doing just what you were meant to do. I stand there, watching the sunlight shimmer of the water looking out at one of the most beautiful views in the world and feel like the happiest person alive.

When the world is your oyster, you've got it made. Especially if it's a Wellfleet oyster.