Matt Thompson learns to pace himself when his school track club disbands and he has to decide if he wants to leave his teammates and friends to join an elite club that trains at another school.
Bill Tyler, his privileges taken away due to a failing grade in English, decides to distract himself by training for a triathlon race, but he soon learns that avoiding the things that are difficult in life is no way to handle problems.
Michael Strike learns a lesson on friendship when fellow soccer player Miriah befriends Zahir, an immigrant from the Middle East, whom Michael sees as a rival until he finds out that Zahir is an excellent chess player.
Michael Reilly, the youngest and shortest player on his lacrosse team, is usually left on the sidelines, but when tensions with a rival team reach a critical stage, Michael discovers a chance to shine.
