With the school year winding down and final exams getting closer, intramural dodgeball and cornhole could not come at a better time for some students.
The two sports will wrap up a spring intramural season that also included basketball, soccer and two still-to-be-completed softball tournaments, among other competitions.
Dodgeball got under way yesterday, with first- and second-round matches being played for one of two tournaments. The results of these matches were unavailable at press time.
The men’s tournament, which started yesterday, saw 16 teams competing for the top spot while the co-recreational tournament featured eight teams.
Freshman Rebecca Pokrandt, the captain of the co-recreational team Kung Fu Pandas, said she has participated in a number of intramural sports this school year and “figured I’d sign up for dodgeball.”
“[Intramurals are] a good way to meet new friends, and it’s always nice to do new things with friends,” Pokrandt said.
Sophomore Michael Strauss is the captain of the men’s team ZOLTON and said he has liked playing dodgeball since middle school.
“I thought it would be a great way to bond with my friends,” Strauss said. “I have never participated in a tournament here, but I’m eager to see how they run it and how competitive it will be.”
Of the 16 teams in the men’s tournament, 12 competed in at least one game yesterday. The other four teams will begin play today.
The semifinals and finals for the tournament will be contested Thursday.
As for the co-recreational tournament, teams will play tomorrow until two squads remain. Those two groups will play for the championship Thursday as well.
All dodgeball games will take place at the Health and Recreation Complex.
Intramural cornhole was broken down into three tournaments—men’s, women’s and co-recreational—and will be the final event of the spring intramural season.
Cornhole, which is also known as bags, beanbags and bag toss, sees two teams of two attempt to score points by throwing small beanbags at wooden boards.
A centered hole is featured toward the top of each board, and players are typically awarded three points for sending a beanbag through the hole and a single point for landing a beanbag on the board.
Sophomore Alexis Merkley, who is part of duos in the women’s and co-recreational divisions, said she plays cornhole at home and participated in last year’s event.
Sophomore Katie Keirn is part of a team in the co-recreational tournament and said cornhole draws interest because it is a different sport than many others.
“Someone who might not be super athletic or super competitive in mainstream sports can come and play [cornhole],” Keirn said.
All three cornhole tournaments will be contested on April 24.
As of press time, eight teams are confirmed to compete in the co-recreational division, 16 teams are listed in the men’s competition and four teams are scheduled to compete in the women’s division.
