The long novels. The big book reports.

“English is not my favorite class, but it’s funny; I’ve learned to push through the novels because I usually come out with something new to think about,” said Micah Marvin, a senior at Crete.

And like all his other class subjects, Marvin scores an A every time, well, except for the A-minus in cabinet construction as a freshman.

“I think Micah is one of those exceptional students who gets it,” said Jill Conrad, calculus and math teacher at Crete. “He knows the  work it takes in school. He has the need to be challenged by himself and others, too.”

Marvin is one of the top students in his class. He’s also one of the key players on Crete’s state championship football team and on the state-ranked basketball team. He runs the 400 meters, 800 and relays, and competes in the triple jump in track.

“Everything comes at 100 percent,” said Crete basketball coach Greg Hobza. “He never takes a day off from practice, from school, from anything. He’s not a vocal leader but he leads by the example of his intensity and his effort in absolutely everything.”

Marvin carries a 4.1 grade point average and earned all-state honorable mention in basketball and football.

He’s a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, works with the Crete Pals mentoring an elementary student through the school year, and has coached a youth city rec basketball team.

“You keep your balance by getting all the homework you can get done during the school day,” Marvin said. “If there’s still some to do or if there is a paper due, then get it done on time so you stay on top of the work.

“My friends are pretty understanding about how we put the social life aside to get the work done.”

Still, they’re competing elements for Marvin’s time. The Cardinals are consistently in the playoffs in football and basketball.

“Sometimes, with all the playoffs, the grades slip a bit and I get right on them and get them back up before the end of the semester,” he said.

“I’d probably be able to get some work done on the bus trips, like get through a novel, but I can’t read and travel on a bus or in a car or I’d get sick,” he said.

Math is the favorite subject of the tight end/linebacker/forward/middle-distance runner.

“I’ve always loved math because you either have the answer or you’re working to figure out the answer,” he said.

Marvin’s mother, Tami, has taught math for years.

“She helped me when I was young and she’s still helpful when I have questions but I try to stay ahead of her,” Micah said.