Rivalry of Croquet (Yes I did go back in time...)

This is a story about the mids vs. the johnny's (heard from an eligible source). On a cold winter night two men met in a bar. While boasting of ones own talents a mid (midshipmen) challenged a johnny (st. johns student) to a game, any game he thinks he can win.

[Now, I pause this story because one must understand the background between the two schools to understand the kind of challenge that was presented before him.

It is a rigorous process to attend the Naval Academy. There are a series of tests physical and intellectual that must be passed even to be considered. Their personalities are tested and references are scrutinized over. They go through much training while at the academy to become the best.

On the other side of the street rests St. John's. A school that exercises what is called Don Rag. This practice includes no testing whatsoever. They do not believe in tests. Each semester a student comes together with their tutor to be evaluated. That being said, these two schools could not be more opposites. Now back to the story.]

As the johnny pondered this, the mid sat and waited. A smirk crossed the johnny's face as he announced one word...croquet...

This is a tradition in Annapolis every year for who knows how long. Everyone dresses up in their nicest 1800's attire and comes to picnic around the croquet match. Women wear the biggest hats around while men walk by with cigars. They have wine, cheese, shrimp, and chocolate covered strawberries while they enjoy the game and each other's company.

This year the midshipmen came out in their white school sweaters while the johnny's came out as Vikings, very fitting.

The St. John's usually beat the midshipmen every year. Three years ago the navy won, but that is not the norm. This year the johnny's were so far ahead halfway through the game there was no possible way for the mids to catch up. On that cold night in a bar, the johnny couldn't have picked a better sport. He knew his odds were against him at any other physical game. Croquet was their only chance...but a chance they had and still take advantage of today.