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The better athletes relish these moments, and they typically have their best performances under such intense pressure. Competing against other athletes of equal ability brings out their best.

Greg Kinney has been rising to the occasion in the big meets his entire career for the Forest Area boys' track team. Whether it be a big invitational, conference, regional or state meet, Kinney is usually vying for a place in the top three.

It's the kind of aggressive nature a coach wishes he'd get from each of his athletes. But it's also a rare trait.

Sometimes, it can be built up over time. Or it's something the athlete was born with.

Kinney showed why he has been considered one of the elite high jumpers in the area, and certainly in the region, with his performance at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 state track and field state finals last Saturday at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern.

Like the other athletes competing on Saturday, Kinney found that he had to struggle with his focus as weather forced several delays in the events.

Still, he kept his mind clear of all but his goal of getting a medal at state.

He also realized that his challengers in the high jump weren't going to simply hand him a medal. To win it, he'd have to earn it.

Earn it he did, too. Kinney finished sixth in the high jump with a leap of 6 feet, 2 inches. The winning jump was 6-5, a height Kinney cleared earlier in the season. "Greg's been a fine competitor for us," said Forest Area coach Ryan Meyer. "He's always at the top of his game, and we're always guaranteed a great effort from him.

"Although he's not really that vocal, he is a team leader. I think the other kids look up to him simply because of his work ethic, and his effort in the meets. "They see how he prepares himself, and how he gives his all every time. That's the secret to success, and I really think it rubs off on the other kids."