Shaw Leads Team Dao to 2009 Omaha Challenge
December 01, 2008 | Baseball
Dec. 1, 2008
2009 Omaha Challenge Photo Gallery
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sophomore right-handed pitcher Gabriel Shaw earned the individual title to lead Team Dao to the overall team title at the University of Louisville baseball team's 2009 Omaha Challenge on Nov. 17-21.
The Omaha Challenge is a five-day test of physical and mental stamina where two captains are selected and teams are drafted to compete against one another in five individually scored events. The five events include a 2,100-yard shuttle run, a towel hang, a 100-meter swim, the tire flip and an endurance medley.
Overall, Team Dao, led by captain and senior shortstop John Dao, scored 6,907 points, while senior catcher Kyle Cheesebrough's Team Cheesebrough finished with 6,739 points.
Individually, Shaw scored 468 points to edge sophomore outfielder Josh Richmond and sophomore pitcher Thomas Royse, who scored 466 points each. Junior second baseman Adam Duvall was fourth with 457 points, while junior third baseman Chris Dominguez was fifth with 446.5 points.
The five-day event began on Monday with the 2,100-yard shuttle run with Royce winning the event with a time of 8 minutes, 9 seconds, while Richmond was second at 8:18. Tuesday's towel hang was won by Zych with a time of 2:10.22, while Royce was second at 1:55.75.
Wednesday's 100-meter swim was won by Ijames with a time of 1:02.07, while Clarence was second at 1:06.47. On Thursday, Dominguez won the tire flip with a time of 38.33, while Logsdon was second at 41.06. Friday's endurance medley finale was also won by Dominguez with a time of 1:10.10, while Duvall was second with a time of 1:12.50.
Joining Shaw and the team captain on Team Dao was catcher Jeff Arnold, pitcher Alex Blodgett, second baseman Adam Duvall, catcher Justin Haywood, outfielder Nate Holland, pitcher Matt Lea, pitcher Gavin Logsdon, outfielder Alec Lowrey, pitcher Tyler Mathis, outfielder Josh Richmond, pitcher Thomas Royse, pitcher Derek Self, pitcher Joe Stilphen, pitcher Colby Wark, infielder Ryan Wright and second basemen Tony Zych.
Along with the team captain, Team Cheesebrough included pitcher Justin Amlung, pitcher Jon Clarence, first basemen Andrew Clark, third basemen Chris Dominguez, catcher Chase Hall, catcher Tim Hayes, outfielder Drew Haynes, pitcher Neil Holland, outfielder Stewart Ijames, pitcher Dean Kiekhefer, pitcher Corey Kingsley, pitcher Keith Landers, pitcher Justin Marks, pitcher Mike Nastold, pitcher Bob Revesz, outfielder Gregg Tingle and utility player Phil Wunderlich.
Head coach Dan McDonnell's Cardinals will open the 2009 season with a three-game series at SEC foe Florida on Feb. 20-22, while the home-opener is set for Feb. 25 against Eastern Kentucky.
