Beating Average: A Story to Extraordinary

By Kenneth Kollasch

In their senior year of high school, Average is chasing after Everyone while Hopeful is relentlessly pursuing his dreams after high school. Mentor and Encourager, coaches of the basketball and volleyball teams, do their best to steer the destinies of these beloved students to learn as much about life as they do about their sport. As the race from high school to real life is coming to a close, the need for “Beating Average” is at hand for Everyone, and an unexpected “Story to Extraordinary” is written.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664283695

Kenneth Kollasch

Kenneth Kollasch and his wife, Caroline, met while teaching ballroom dancing and got married in their early twenties. They have served the Lord together in kids, youth, young adult, and marketplace ministry over the last decade. This normal, everyday couple want you to know: What you hold in your hands is proof that “Beating Average” and writing a real life “Story to Extraordinary” is possible for everyone that puts their faith in Jesus!

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Copyright © 2022 Kenneth Kollasch.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WestBow Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8370-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8371-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8369-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022921104

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/23/2022

CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1Believe

Chapter 2Headstrong

Chapter 3Affirmation

Chapter 4Decisive

Chapter 5Faith

Preface

Prologue: The Average Backstory

Chapter 6Believe: Our Heart’s Hidden Treasure

Chapter 7Headstrong: How We Think Determines Victory or Defeat

Chapter 8Affirmation: Words of Warfare

Chapter 9Decisive: A Commitment & Covenant Lifestyle

Chapter 10Faith: Not By Me, But By The Spirit

Epilogue

DEDICATED TO…

My Heavenly Father who gets all the glory,

my sweet Caroline who gives me all her love,

& Francisco and Florene Gonzalez who have been beating average for over 80 years.

PROLOGUE

Hey, Hopeful! Are you coming this Friday? Average invited us over for another house party he’s throwing. Everyone is going to be there. I know you like her!

Seriously? It seems like Average always plans something fun when I’ve got important things going on. You said Everyone is going to be there?

Of course she’ll be there! I mean, who doesn’t want Everyone at their party? Although, I hear Average has a thing for Everyone too. He’s been doing all he can to keep her around.

Yeah, I heard. Thanks for reminding me, Gossip. You always seem to know what’s going on around school. What time is Everyone getting there? Maybe I can skip out of film practice early…again.

Didn’t coach threaten to bench you last time you did that?

Ehh, Mentor wouldn’t bench me. He has started me all year and Saturday’s game is going to be easy anyways. Besides, weren’t you just the one trying to convince me to go to this party?

Okay! Okay! Point taken. Everyone is going to be there at ten o’clock this Friday. I’ll let her know you’re coming.

Hold on! I said maybe I will be there. I’ll think about it and let you know later tonight.

All right, I will talk to you later Hopeful…oh, by the way, do you really think you are going to play professional after you graduate?

No doubt in my mind. I will catch you later, Gossip.

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What was I thinking! exclaimed Hopeful as he stormed through the front door slamming it behind himself in obvious frustration.

Woah! Look who’s home early! snickered Jealous. I guess Everyone preferred Average instead, huh? You know, Hopeful, if you didn’t hype up your expectations so often you wouldn’t be disappointed all the time.

Well look who’s trying to be an encouraging brother for a change, snapped back Hopeful with angry sarcasm. Actually, Everyone and I had a great time. She even said she would come see me play at tomorrow’s game.

What is with the long face then? interrupted Jealous. I’m sure Everyone already knows Average doesn’t come close to you on the court. If I were you I would be feeling pretty good right about now.

Coach called while I was at the party. I am benched…for the whole tournament! yelled Hopeful as he started stomping up the stairs. Looks like she’ll be watching Average instead the whole weekend…just my luck.

Ouch. That is pretty harsh, Jealous responded. I bet she won’t think anything of it. I mean, what could Everyone really see in Average? He’s nothing special.

Hopeful retorted with a nervous chuckle, Ha! You would be surprised how many of the other girls have fallen for this guy. It’s like he’s got a spell or something that lures them all in.

You are overreacting. You know that everybody wants to be Hopeful, jeered Jealous, but seriously, I wouldn’t worry about it.

As the door finished closing to his room Hopeful responded under his breath, We will see about that…

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Hey! Hold on! Wait up a sec.

After signaling her friends to go warm up the car Everyone looked back with a chuckle, Okay, okay, but you’ve got to be quick before the girls leave without me. Got one last story to tell, Average?

Ha! Not this time! I just wanted to say thanks for coming again tonight. I’ve really enjoyed having you around more lately. I know this crowd and scene is new to you, and I just wanted to make sure you felt like you fit in.

You’re funny! I appreciate that, Average. You always make me feel comfortable. This was definitely different from our volleyball team parties!

Good. I’m glad you feel accepted here, said Average inching forward toward Everyone to close the distance. I can’t even imagine what you girls do at the volleyball team parties. finished Average jokingly.

Let me tell ya! Three things are guaranteed to happen every time: more volleyball, more drama, and more listening to Dreamer talk about how she’s going to make it big one day, said Everyone, showing some of her worn out emotions.

Average couldn’t help blurting out, "I know what you mean! The basketball guys are the same way—especially Hopeful. Now you know why I started hosting