Running a race is as hard as a cat trying to speak English.
I believe the correct answer is naive.
The author is trying to say that he was ignorant, and that he couldn't understand properly these new revelations. He was either too young or too stupid to understand such a thing, but he believes he will as he grows older.
Scott County Middle School, Home of the Wombats, is who we play for the district tournament.
To descend down with a rope. Usually down the side of a mountain.
