The Final Leg: A Sports Tale for Every Generation

By: Stephen Sands

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Synopsis: The Final Leg is an Iowa sports tale for every generation. Coach Ken Lincoln is on the cusp of his first team title at the state track meet until his own daughter runs a disappointing third leg of a pivotal relay for the Durant Wildcats. As father and daughter watch the final leg, Ken consoles her by telling the inspirational story of Jack Swanson, a star wide receiver for the Durant football team. In his senior season, Jack takes the blame for a team prank he did not commit. The thin-skinned football coach banishes Jack to the cross country team for a week where he bonds with Ken, who is trying to instill pride in a small group of runners often overlooked in the football-crazy school. Impressed with the new running coach, Jack decides to compete in both football and cross country that fall, a grueling combination for even the best athlete. Ken recalls that special season and the lesson he learned from Jack Swanson to restore the broken pride of his own daughter 25 years later. But don't count Durant out just yet because Jack's daughter is running the final leg!