Two things:

The Lad is obviously at the stage where he realizes his parents don’t know anything at all. Fortunately, it has coincided with his discovery that his friends do know everything.

Also, when my kids were in high school athletics (cross country and soccer—two elegant sports) they severely disdained carbonated drinks because the extra carbon dioxide it put in their bloodstream was supposed to reduce their stamina or something. That was the belief, anyway. Everyone who participated was adamant about this. I’m surprised your son hasn’t heard this factoid, although maybe it is just a Midwestern thing.

I’m glad to say that at our comparable stages, I’m given more credit for knowing a few things than I gave my mother. I am glad that he didn’t take that page out of my book.

During the season the coach insists on pretty strict standards. Junk food/drinks out. Apples, nuts, and yogurt are the approved snacks. And water, water, water. I’m pretty sure the Dr. Pepper was gone before they got there. The last hurrah! They had the rest of today to chill and they begin at the crack of dawn tomorrow with the remainder of the week spent eating approved foods and running their butts off. Then swimming off what they didn’t run off.

During the off season, they manage to get their junk food fixes. This week is the official beginning of the season. The entire team and the coach is there. I expect there will be a few leaner edges on him when he gets home.