Cardinals Complete Week One of Omaha Challenge
November 25, 2014 | Baseball
2014 Omaha Challenge Photo Gallery
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The first week of the Louisville baseball program's annual Omaha Challenge ended Tuesday with the Red Team leading the way as sophomore righthanded pitcher Zack Burdi paced the way in the individual race.
Captain Will Smith and the Red Team closed the first week with 1,820 points, 134 points clear of the 1,686 points for the Black Team, captained by junior Anthony Kidston. Individually, Burdi is atop the standings with 142 points, while Red teammate Nick Solak is second with 132 points. Sutton Whiting of the Black Team is third with 127 points and is followed by Zach Lucas (125 points) and Logan Taylor (124 points) of the Red Team.
The competition started Sunday with the paintball event, won by the Black Team for the first 50 points of the week. On Monday, the early morning shuttle run started day two with Burdi leading the way with a time of 7:38.21, while Taylor was second at 8:08.20 and Robert Strader in third at 8:10.32. Later in the afternoon, the Red Team won the tug-of-war and 50 bonus points while also sweeping the top three spots in the tire flip. Lucas won the tire flip with a time of 53.20 and was followed by Drew Harrington (54.02) and Burdi (59.27).
On Tuesday, the Black Team won 75 bonus points with a victory in the bike race, while Devin Hairston pulled the team closer by winning the towel hang with a time of 2:14.62. Mike White of the Red Team was second at 2:02.15, while teammate Corey Ray was third at 2:01.91.
Following the Thanksgiving holiday, action will resume on Monday with the ultimate football/dodgeball and truck push events before concluding on Tuesday with the 100-meter swim and the medley. After the conclusion of the five days of competition, team and individual winners will be crowned by Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell.
Led by captain and sophomore catcher Will Smith, the Red Team features Zack Burdi, Zach Lucas, Nick Solak, Colby Fitch, Logan Taylor, Drew Harrington, Jonah Philley, Riley Jackson, Corey Ray, Blake Tiberi, Mac Welsh, Chandler Dale, Grant Schreiver, Brendan McKay, Jimmy Faul, Austin Clemons, Chris Elbrecht, Mike White and Alex Sears. Paced by junior righthanded pitcher and captain Anthony Kidston, the Black Team includes Robert Strader, Ryan Summers, Jordan Striegel, Sutton Whiting, Colin Lyman, Jake Sparger, Devin Hairston, Josh Rogers, Danny Rosenbaum, Kyle Funkhouser, Drew Ellis, Brandon Alphin, Sean Leland, Grant Weinmann, Michael Bollmer, Lincoln Henzman, Butch Baird, Kade McClure and Dylan Shoffner.
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.
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