For the sake of argument, let’s say that my roommates are on a quest to catch a rabbit. For the sake of argument, let’s say they’ve developed various traps and strategies to accomplish this goal. For the sake of argument, let’s say the score is: rabbits 5, roommates 0.

While my call to the UCSD Police Department yielded no reason why such an activity could be illegal, there are rumors of the rabbits being a protected species on this campus. For the sake of argument, that’s why the rabbit-catching expeditions would take place late at night.

Fear not, animal lovers — we mean no harm to the rabbits. I say “”we,”” but I’ve yet to experience one of these little adventures. My roommates, “”Mikey”” and “”Hezekiah,”” are the expert rabbit catchers. Or should I say, they’re very experienced in trying to catch rabbits.

“”We catch rabbits because they provide an entertaining outlet for any extra energy we might have, a challenge for our intellect and exercise for our bodies,”” Mikey said.

Rabbit-catching is the third in an illustrious line of favorite pastimes, following Mario Kart and racquetball.

All three tap into a sense of competition that comes from deep within. There’s something unrivaled about the sense of excitement that comes from a close game, and the intense concentration that comes with the threat of losing is as close to survival instinct as those living a comfortable college life are likely to experience.

There’s a rush from scoring a goal on the soccer field, spiking a kill on the volleyball court or blocking a shot during a basketball game that I don’t get anywhere else. That’s why I’m playing on seven intramural teams in four sports this quarter. I’m a junkie, and adrenaline is my drug of choice.

Sports have always given me my biggest thrills and my most painful disappointments. They’ve given me even more than that, though. My parents insist that I learned to read because of the sports page, and that I learned math by calculating batting averages.

At the core of it all though, winning was the only goal, and everything else was incidental.

I’ve suffered through my share of miserable losing seasons, but it’s only through the work I’ve done with kids the last couple summers that I’ve learned how important it is to accept winning and losing with equal grace. Even so, my competitive fire burns just as bright as it always has, and I realize just how beneficial competitive outlets are in keeping my focus on what is truly important. Whether I get treated unfairly, do poorly on a test or have an issue with a friend, I remember that there’s always a chance to do better. There’s always a chance to make it right. There’s always another game to play.

The feeling of losing your temper is a high, and the thrill of victory — or merely the hope of it — keeps us positive. That’s why we compete.

“”Rabbit-catching is good for the heart, mind and soul,”” Mikey said.

For the sake of argument only, of course.