Nothing more was said as they all turned to watch the runners in the other heats.  Mott with apparent ease won his, and Ogden won the third.  The final was to be run off between the three winners and Will stretched himself upon the grass to gain such rest as he could obtain before the supreme test arrived.

Other events were now run off and a half-hour elapsed before the final heat was called.  “You’ll get your place on the team anyway, Will,” said Foster encouragingly.

“I’m not so sure of that.”

“I am.  I heard Wagner say that three would be taken on the team for the sprints, and even if you come in last you’ll be sure of a place.”

“I don’t know.  I don’t want to come in last.”

“Don’t, then,” laughed Foster as he reached forth his hand for his room-mate’s bath robe.  Once more Will stood on the line and this time there would be no “sneaking,” he assured himself.  Somehow the keenness of his previous excitement was gone now and he was almost as calm as if he had been a spectator and not a participant in the contest.  He was none the less resolved to do his utmost and when the pistol at last was fired he leaped from the mark with every nerve and muscle tense.  A silence rested over all as the three runners came swiftly up the track.  Will could feel rather than see that he was ahead of Ogden, but Mott was still in advance of him, and do what he might he did not seem to be able to cut down that yard by which Mott was leading.  Swiftly the racers sped on and soon Will could see that the end of the course had almost been gained.  Only fifteen yards remained to be covered, and then by one supreme effort Will called upon all his reserve powers and with what the college paper afterward described as a “magnificent burst of speed,” he cut down Mott’s lead and a moment later the two runners struck the tape exactly together.

A mighty shout arose from the assembled students and Foster and Hawley both of whom were usually so self-contained ran out and threw their arms about the neck of their classmate.  The enthusiasm increased when the time was announced as “ten, one.” and Wagner came forward his face beaming and his hand outstretched as he said:  “You did it, freshman!  I knew you could, and I knew you would.”

Words of praise had never sounded sweeter in Will’s ears.  He had won a place on the team and that coveted honor at least was his.

His interest in the trials was mostly ended now and he returned to the dressing rooms, where he donned his ordinary garb and then rejoined his fellows.  Their congratulations were sweet in his ears and the very appearance of the beautiful valley to him seemed to have changed.  He had won and the stimulus of success was his.