Day Two of Oklahoma City Challenge in the Books
November 22, 2013 | Softball
Nov. 22, 2013
Junior shortstop Whitney Arion recaps Friday's action in the Oklahoma City Challenge.
The Red and Black squads have now completed day two of the OKC challenge. Both teams were anxious to see what events Teena Murray had arranged for them next. After the intense battle of day one between these squads and them going back and fourth between wins through out the events we all knew today was going to be another nail-biter and there were a lot more points at stake. There were two halves today worth 150 and a bonus worth 50.
False hope...
Friday started approximately at 7 a.m. in front of the snack shack outside of the Marshall center where they generously provide healthy snacks for us to refuel our bodies after training. So of course, with all the comedians we have on our team we suspected that today was going to be an eating contest. Maybe something resembling something similar to what would go down at an International Hot Dog Eating Contest? Let's be honest, we all know there's no room for Coney Island dogs at the Marshall center. Jokes were over, captains were called, and both teams were ready to crush Day Two.
The first half of the day was taking place at our very own Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Teena had a pretty good trick up her sleeve and pointed to the two huge wooden posts we had to jog to the stadium with. We were told that further directions would be given when each team arrived at the end zone of the stadium with their wooden post. After 17 long minutes attached to a wooden post, we were now in the end zone and ready for a classic game of flag football. One can only wish.
The first half of the day began somewhat like a scavenger hunt. Except there were only two objects to find, one for both teams - a 40-pound yellow medicine ball hidden somewhere throughout the stadium. You can only imagine our reaction, thinking this was going to take a very long time considering the thousands of seats we were staring at. The medicine balls were our key to the next step of the challenge. Each team had to find their ball before they could continue on. Once a team found one of the two balls they were to then carry their wooden post to the top of the stadium as well as a sled that weighs 50 kg and the yellow medicine ball. The first 150 points of the day were to be awarded to the first team with all three objects sitting at the top of the stadium.
I am happy to say that the search did not last long. Morgan (Meyer) from the Black squad spotted it almost right after the whistle had blown. All I can say is that girl must have eyes like a hawk. The Red squad spotted their ball not to long after. Putting both teams in a position for an extremely close race to the top of Papa John's stadium! Carrying the post was a struggle. Not only was bearing this amount of weight a difficult task but the height difference between team members played a huge factor, leaving the taller team members with most of the weight and the shorter ones had to just do all that they could to relieve them from all the stress on their shoulder. Also, now that we had three objects to carry up the stadium - this meant we had fewer assistants with the wooden post. The grind to the top of the stadium was definitely one I will never forget. The Red squad pulled in for a lead on this one but the Black squad was gaining ground fast. I couldn't help but think what would happen if both teams some how caught up perfectly with each other. It might have gotten pretty ugly considering that we are all extremely competitive and well we have a wide load on our shoulders and not much room to work with. Hauling up that stadium seemed never ending but we all knew it was soon coming to a finish. It was a wrap for the stadium run. The Red squad reached the top first and added another 150 points to their total and giving them a 300-100 lead over the Black squad.
The Relay
The second half was also worth 150 points. This half was a relay race where each team was provided with one sled, both weighing 50 kg. It was best two out of three. We were to figure out a line up and stick to that order, each person going head on in a race against the other team. Pushing and pulling the sled a total of 80 yards and then handing it off to the next teammate in line doesn't seem all that difficult but this event was about how you react to the uncontrollable factors that may rise up during competition. The misty rain, showering down on the football turf made for a slippery surface making the pulling part a struggle. It was very important to stay on your feet because a slip can cause your team to fall behind. The sleds were also causing both teams to lose ground in this race when the top half of the sled would some how manage to pop hop, testing the patience of both teams. The Black squad won the first two rounds earning them 150 points for the second half.
Bonus time
It was now time for the bonus! The Red squad now held a 300-250 point lead. The bonus was another relay race but this time we were sprinting the length of the football field. The Black squad took the reins on this event and captured the victory for day two! Placing both teams at a tie with 300 points. The weekend is here and this will allow both teams to re-energize and get ready for the last two days of the OKC Challenge, which will be on this upcoming Monday and Tuesday.
