West Iron County sprinter Danica Shamion, front center, takes the lead in a heat of the Division 2 200-meter dash on Saturday at the U.P Track and Field Finals hosted by Kingsford High School. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

There was a reason I became a journalist nearly four decades ago. A simple one, too.

I like to people watch.

I’m one of those silly people who could go to a mall or big box store, say Walmart or Meijer, and walk around with an half-empty cart, just enjoying the drama around me. That was unlike my college roommate who would rather shop at around midnight to avoid some parent yelling at their out-of-control kids.

OK, he had a point.

Still. watching and reporting has been a huge part of my life, at least my professional life. And I have rarely ever regretted a moment of it.

Kingsford's Cole Myllyla takes flight, almost literally, in an attempt in the long jump at his home field Saturday. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

That brings me to Saturday’s U.P. Track and Field Finals at Kingsford High School.

Netflix and Hulu couldn’t match the fun, the humor, the drama and excitement of nearly 800 student-athletes from around the Upper Peninsula all in one spot. More importantly, all of them being here, in Dickinson County.

Frankly, you can’t honestly understand how fast Danica Shamion truly is until she creates a whirlwind as she runs by you. And, a personal note to Shamion, please slow down. I use a pretty nice camera, but the focus mechanism doesn’t work as fast as you run. I’d appreciate it. Just one race. All I ask.

Then, there’s Luke Ruble, Iron Mountain’s long-distance sensation.

I wouldn’t go as far as naming him “Cool Hand Luke.” Sorry, that’s reserved for movie great Paul Newman. But, still, you have to love this kid.

Iron Mountain’s Emma Ellis takes the baton from teammate Chloe Maycroft during a relay event at the U.P. Track and Field Finals hosted by Kingsford High School on Saturday. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

As many of you have found out since I joined The Daily News last fall, I kind of like to talk.

Yeah, yeah. I don’t shut up. It’s a gene passed down by my Mom, who literally never met anyone she wouldn’t have a conversation with, no matter how well she actually knows the person, if at all.

My lovely girlfriend has to deal with the same thing and is astonished when, as she pays for whatever she’s buying at whatever store, she turns around to find me chatting with some other customer about their Packers hat and me being a Lions fan.

On Saturday, Ruble walked up by where I was sitting to get ready for the 1600-meter run. And, as usual, he was wearing his trademark sunglasses.

Now, if you know me, you know I’m not a runner. Please, let the jokes stop there. But I had to ask Ruble about wearing sunglasses while running — and usually winning — in an competitive event. I told him I thought it must be awkward.

West Iron County senior Landon Baumgartner-Sundelius set a new school record in the 300-meter hurdles on his way to winning the U.P. Division 2 first-place medal on Saturday. Baumgartner-Sundelius ran a 40.56 in the final hurdles event of his prep career. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

You have to love this answer. “It’s just kind of my thing,” he said.

It wasn’t just what he said; it was how. Here’s a kid about to challenge for a medal in a huge regional event and he just tosses out the answer from some guy he doesn’t know with absolutely ease.

And you have watched this kid run? He runs a mile, or even two miles, with seemingly less effort than I do getting up off my coach to let our dogs out. In some way, I hate him.

Just kidding.

Speaking of amazing, I didn’t know golfers could jump. Seriously. That was until I got a glimpse of Kingsford’s Cole Myllyla, who was competing in the long jump.

North Dickinson track and field teammates Micah Lindholm and Chrislyn Inglese compete in the 100-meter hurdles at Saturday’s U.P. Finals. Nearly 800 student-athletes from around the U.P. competed at the event held at Kingsford High School. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

Again, I’ve done this job, not for years, but decades. I’ve taken a lot of photos of just about every sport. Yet, I can’t remember when a student-athlete surprised me by jumping up and out of my camera’s view. Myllyla did just that at the U.P. Finals, as his head disappeared from one frame after he launched himself up and then hovered over the sandpit before finally coming back to earth about 20 feet later.

Even though I knew I had a good shot or two from the series of him jumping, I had to watch his followup attempt. And, watch him again after that.

I really needed to move on. There were other events, other athletes and other photos to take. Still, if you had the chance to see up close what I and a few others lucky enough to be there did, you’d understand. Supposedly, humans can’t fly. Someone might want to inform Myllyla, who is also the Flivvers’ leader on the golf team. Not at the same time, mind you.

And, I could go on and on — and on. Kids (now in my 50s, I feel the term is appropriate) from Iron Mountain, Kingsford, Norway, North Central and North Dickinson, not to mention Forest Park and so many others. There’s more stories and photos than I could tell you about (unless … free hotdog? again, don’t forget the mustard).

Though, I have to leave you with one more. My new “fav.” Diego Przeslakowski.

while well-known for his skills in leading the North Central football team, the Jets’ Luke Gorzinski, at right, shows his athletism while running in the 100-meter dash at the U.P. Finals. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

Holy cow, have you seen this kid’s arms? I don’t know whether to be impressed or worried. Przeslakowski could probably bench press me (but I’m not admitting how much I weigh).

The only thing I keep thinking is, in football, he was the Kingsford kicker? If he’s the kicker, usually the smallest guy on the field, I’ve got to see who was playing on the Flivvers’ line.

Still, he and his teammates — a goofy bunch, to be sure — have been great to cover. Yes, there’s a certain character who likes his photo taken. I get it. But, they’ve been nothing but respectful and courteous to this old guy in bibs carrying a camera around and asking silly questions, like when I asked North Dickinson’s Ashton Hord one time if her long hair every got in her way or slowed her down.

I’ve probably said enough. But, if you’re wondering if I have a point to this rambling round of various verbiage, I do.

Folks, do yourself a favor. Put down the phones. Turn off Netflix. Trust me, you won’t miss anything.

Then, go and watch what I call “The Show of Life.” You’d be amazed at the amount and quality the entertainment that’s provided by events like the U.P. Finals.

But, don’t wait. Because it will pass you by like Iron Mountain’s Matthew Colavecchi in a sprint. Trust me, that’s really fast.