Red Team Prevails in Oklahoma City Challenge
November 22, 2011 | Softball
Nov. 22, 2011
Going into the final day of the Oklahoma City Challenge we knew Teena was going to be throwing everything she had at us. However, what we didn't know was that Mother Nature would be doing the same. As we all headed to the locker room this morning it was pouring buckets. None of us even got our hopes up that our workout would be indoors because we have grown to understand Teena could care less what the weather is like outside.
We all met on the cardio path and Teena explained to the captains what we would be doing. Today's event would be worth 500 points, winner takes all. Therefore whoever won today would be the overall Oklahoma City Challenge Champion so the pressure was really on. Today's challenge took place on the field hockey turf and consisted of five stations per team.
Breaking down the stations
Station One - Two weighted jump ropes. Two members of your team both had to complete 25 separate repetitions before the entire team could move on to station two.
Station Two - Two giant weighted dynomax balls. Two separate teammates had to both complete 25 separate ball slams before the entire team could move onto station three. A ball slam is performed exactly how it sounds. You bring the ball over your head and slam it down to the ground as hard as you can.
Station Three - Two trap bar dead lifts. The bars were two separate weights, one at 60 kilos, and the other at 50 kilos. Two team members must both complete 25 separate dead lift repetitions before the entire team could move on to station four.
Station Four - Two bikes, both set to gear 14. Two members of your team had to sprint as fast as they could half a mile on the bike. Once they both reached 0.5 on the odometer your team was cleared to move onto station five.
Station Five - A 50 yard sprint with the slosh pipe. Two people on your team had to sprint 50 yards while holding the slosh pipe over their head. A slosh pipe is giant pipe filled with water. Therefore, carrying it is very awkward because as the water moves inside the pipe the weight is distributed sporadically which throws off your balance. Once the slosh pipe sprint was complete your entire team had to sprint 100 yards back to the jump ropes and you could start the cycle all over again. The team to complete the most cycles in 40 minutes would be the winner.
It all comes down to this
As we started the competition both teams were neck and neck. One team would jump ahead for a few minutes, and then the other would regain the lead. The rain made this competition a little more challenging because multiple times the items would slip out of your hands from being so wet. The strength coaches provided towels for us, but as you can imagine those were completely soaked in a matter of minutes. Whichever team could make the adjustments and keep a solid pace would be the winner. After 20 minutes both teams received a half time four minute break. At the half, the Red team had a slight one station lead over the Black team. Thankfully, the Red team was able to hold that lead for the second 20 minute half and come out on top.
It was close, but Red Team wins!
When Teena blew the final whistle the Red team was one station ahead of the Black team which deemed them victorious. By the time it was all said and done both teams were completely soaked, there was not a dry inch on our bodies. My shoes felt like I was walking in a swamp. With every step I took I could just feel the water soak all the way through the soles of my shoes and into my socks. Gross.
Looking back at the OKC and looking ahead to the season
Throughout this competition both teams were so evenly matched that each and every event came down to the wire. I can say with 100 percent confidence that every person from both teams worked their butts off and played an important role in their team's success, and our coaches would agree. Our entire softball and strength and conditioning coaching staff was very pleased with our efforts and competitiveness. I will give them props too because they were there watching us every morning bright and early rain or shine, literally. Although this competition was beneficial for our softball program as a whole I must say that it feels so good to be on the winning team. I had to avenge my loss from last year. I mean how embarrassing is it to be the blogger and have to write about your team losing two straight years in a row?
Our team has made great strides this fall and the spring of 2012 is going to be an exciting one for Louisville Softball. But for now we are all looking forward to a restfully and much needed holiday break with our families and look forward to coming back next week and pushing it into high gear yet again.
