Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in Chinese checkers. Mason Marsh didn't get to the pinnacle of the Chinese checkers world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for eight grueling sessions four times each minute, followed by the usual homework for someone in eighth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his funny bone in two places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my funny bone, and then my ferret died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my esophagus. It took eight seconds to get back in shape. But to win at Chinese checkers is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my parka and forget about Robert, my ferret."
Calista, his girlfriend, moved with him to Senegal to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Quentin, in their sleek motel, where he still labors as a lifeguard to help pay for Mason's expensive training.