SABIN ENERSON checks out the surfing and other memorable sights  on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii before heading on to the Down Under International Games in Australia.

By Bill Mullaly

It takes a lot to get Hudson High School junior-to-be Sabin Enerson to talk and to keep on talking. The past ten days have provided the impetus to get Enerson to tell his story and he has quite a story to tell about what he did on his summer vacation. For ten days in the middle of July he left the small, quaint village of Hudson to head to places most of us only dream about visiting. He wasn't just a visitor either as he made a business trip to represent the state of Michigan and the entire Midwest area in a cross-country. This trip however, was much more than just a running event as Enerson got to go down under as his 10-day journey took him to Australia. Enerson was part of a 21-member Michigan delegation that left Detroit's Metro Airport on Saturday, July 15 on the trip of a lifetime. After landing in Chicago and Los Angeles it was then time to head to Hawaii and after nine hours the Michigan cross-country team was on the island of Honolulu. For a first-time flyer Enerson enjoyed his time in the friendly skies of United Airlines. "I didn't have the best seat out of Los Angeles but I know we were over a lot of water," said Enerson, 16, who took a break from his job with the Hudson summer recreation department to go west and then south. "I enjoyed the flight and it was great being in Hawaii. No humidity, beautiful   beaches, 86 degrees. What more could you want? We spent three days in Hawaii and it was a blast. Actually, it was really cool to be there and we did some fun things like attending a Polynesian Dinner Show better known as a luau." Enerson also learned to surf or at least he tried to surf. "The waves were a lot bigger than the ones around here or at Lake Michigan and surfing was a lot harder than I thought it would be but I wasn't scared and I enjoyed it," Enerson said. After spending Sunday until late Tuesday in Hawaii it was time to get down to business or better yet head on to Australia.

Down Under International Games

Most people wouldn't call a cross-country meet a game but this sport of running was part of why Enerson was on another continent. He was a member of the Great Lakes team with all the runners being from Michigan. On Saturday, July 22nd it was time for Sabin to participate in his first running event as he ran in the international race against runners from other states in the U.S. and against kids from the home country of Australia. The 5.6K race was a bit over the 3.1-mile distance that the kids are used to running in high school but Enerson was ready for the challenge. He finished ninth in his age group of 16 and under. His time was 18:49 but after it was broken down by his coach for what the time would have been for a 3.1-mile race the time fell to 16:48. "I was very happy with my time and how I ran in this race," said Enerson, who was well prepared, as he had been practicing regularly since June 11th when he began preparations for this trip. Enerson noted his previous best time in a 3.1 mile race was just 18:07 so the time of under 17 minutes thrilled the Hudson harrier, who hopes to give his teammate senior John Koser some friendly competition this fall on the cross country course.

"I won a medal and it was a very hilly course but in some ways it was similar to running back home here and the weather was excellent in Australia," said Enerson, who noted the cool wintertime temperatures of 60-70 degrees made for great running conditions. "What I really liked about the meet was that we could wear jewelry and we didn't have to tuck in our shirts if we didn't want to," said Enerson, who also runs on the Hudson Tiger track team in the spring after playing basketball in the winter. Two days later on Monday, July 24th it was time for Enerson's second and final race. He helped his team take first place in the all-American race as all the teams were from American high schools. The Michigan contingent called the Great Lakes team was first with Enerson being the key seventh runner on his team. Overall, he placed 19th in the large division race that was at a distance of a 5.4K race. His time of 19:48 was due to a much tougher course according to Enerson.

In Queensland the runners stayed at the Crown Place Hotel in an area called Surfer's Paradise. "We had fun and did a lot of shopping, played beach volleyball and went to the zoo where I got to pet a kangaroo," said Enerson, who admitted this was a cultural learning experience just as much as a running meet. "The best part of this whole trip was getting to be in Australia and being allowed to compete in cross country representing my state and country." Enerson made several friends during his trip and another good part was that the 21-member team included a seven-member girls team from Michigan. What began last February as a letter in the mail talking about running in Australia quickly turned into a mid-July journey halfway around the world. "I have so many people, businesses, individuals and family members to thank for helping me to be able to take part in this great adventure," said Enerson, who really appreciated the financial and emotional support of his parents, John and Lisa.

"I'd go back and do this again if I could as it was a great time and I'm really glad that I went. Actually, I feel fortunate that I was able to go as so many people helped make it possible," said Enerson, who feels the whole experience will make him a better runner this fall for the Tigers harriers. Back in Hudson now and working again at his summer job Enerson has plenty of pictures to remember his trip by but most importantly he has memories that will last a lifetime. Or, at least, until he can get back to visit Hawaii again. "I like to live there someday," said Enerson, who called the whole 10-days a great trip and he doesn't mind telling people what a great time he had. Who could blame him? For most 16-year olds are just happy to get out of Michigan for a few days each summer let alone journey to Hawaii and Australia.
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