Louisville Baseball Announces Omaha Challenge Schedule, Rosters
November 23, 2013 | Baseball
Nov. 23, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After hosting a draft earlier this week to determine the team members for the Black and Red squads, the Louisville baseball team will begin the annual Omaha Challenge on Sunday afternoon.
Junior infielder Zach Lucas is the captain for the Black squad, while junior righthanded pitcher Jared Ruxer will captain the Red squad in the Omaha Challenge, which will kick off on Sunday with the paintball competition. On Monday, the teams are tentatively scheduled to compete in the shuttle run, the tire flip and the tug-of-war, while Tuesday's slate includes the towel hang and the bike race.
After a break for the Thanksgiving holiday, the teams will return to competition on Dec. 2 with the truck push. The Omaha Challenge is tentatively scheduled to conclude on Dec. 3 with the 100-meter swim and the medley. At end of the five days of competition, team and individual winners will be crowned by head coach Dan McDonnell.
With the top overall selection in the Omaha Challenge draft, Lucas selected pitcher Robert Strader for the Black squad, while Ruxer used his top pick on pitcher Zack Burdi for the Red squad.
Along with Lucas and Strader, the Black squad will feature Joe Filomeno, Cole Sturgeon, Drew Harrington, Shane Crain, Nick Solak, Danny Rosenbaum, Will Smith, Jordan Simons, Brad Hedden, Logan Taylor, Jonah Philley, Jordan Striegel, Mason Richardson, Kyle McGrath, Josh Rogers, Grant Kay, Matt Rowland and Michael Bollmer. Joining Ruxer and Burdi on the Red team will be Jakson Deyer, Jeff Gardner, Ryan Summers, Ryan Lauria, Corey Ray, Jake Sparger, Brandon Alphin, Kyle Funkhouser, Colin Lyman, Blake Tiberi, Alex Sears, Nick Burdi, Sutton Whiting, Kyle Gibson, Aaron Gershenfeld, Mike White, Anthony Kidston and Alex Chittenden.
About the Omaha Challenge
After being hired to lead the Cardinals, McDonnell introduced an intense test of physical and mental stamina during his first fall at the University of Louisville with what he refers to as the Omaha Challenge.
Two captains are selected and teams are drafted to compete against one another in a five-day series of events that tests the athleticism of the teams and the individuals, with a team crown and an individual champion to be named at the end of the competition. Sports performance coach Zach Farrel oversees the competition, while also motivating his charges to extend themselves to their limits.
Following the Cardinals on Social Media
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on Twitter at http://twitter.com/uoflbaseball and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ulbaseball.
