Softball's OKC Challenge is Underway
November 16, 2017 | Softball
Black squad gains the early edge in the 2017 OKC Challenge
The 2017 edition of Louisville Softball's Oklahoma City Challenge is underway as the Red and Black Squads took the first steps in the Cardinals' quest to reach the Women's College World Series. Sophomore pitcher Sydney Warinner resumes her role as the team blogger to recount day one of the competition.
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Think back to the greatest challenge you have ever faced, a challenge that pushed your body and mind to their absolute conceivable-limits. Imagine feeling your heart race and hearing the thud of your feet striking the ground beneath you. Exhaustion begins to set in. Just as you approach the brink of collapse, you shake your head with resolve and drive forth harder, faster, stronger. Grit - this is what OKC is all about.
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Today marks day one of Louisville Softball's 2017 Oklahoma City Challenge (OKC), a series of competitions that test the collective work ethic, perseverance, and harmony of the Red and Black Squads. Last night, Coach Molly contacted team captains, senior, Alison Szydlowski, (Mike) of the Red Team and sophomore, Celene Funke (Funk), of the Black Squad to have both teams report to Marshal Center at 6:00 am the next morning. Â
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The Red Squad wore red headbands and sleeves, while the Black Squad rolled in with matching black headbands, eye-black, and intricate braids, courtesy of freshman, Danielle Watson. After each team completed a thorough dynamic warm-up, Coach Molly called Mike and Funk over to deliver instructions for the day's challenge. Â
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Day one's challenge was a classic: the stadium run. First, each team strategically lined up along their respective ropes and ran to gate six of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The first team to arrive at the gate would receive 50 points. Both teams ran alongside each other until the stadium came into full view. After barely avoiding a severe entanglement of the ropes, the Black Team accelerated ahead of the Red Team and reached the gate just seconds before its opponent. Â
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Upon arriving at the stadium, the Red Squad filed to the right side, the Black Squad to the left. A race ensued. Fueled by camaraderie and, in the Black Squad's case, an excellent playlist, each team started swiftly and then gradually adopted a steady pace. The teams crossed in the tallest section of the stadium, with the Black Squad in the lead by roughly one flight of stairs. This crossing inspired each team to kick it into a higher gear. War cries echoed throughout the stadium as each team sped past each other.
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The Black Squad finished the stadium a full flight of stairs ahead of the Red Squad, set down its rope and weights, and sprinted to the nearest end-zone, where it encountered the day's final challenge. This task involved completing a pyramid of perfect jumping jacks, which involved a set of five jumping jacks, followed by four sets with one fewer jumping jack than the previous set (5-4-3-2-1). The Black Squad completed five sets of flawless jumping jacks, locking in its victory for the stadium run. Shortly afterwards, the Red Squad completed the stadium run and jumping jacks.
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During all but the last segment of day one's challenge, each team had to distribute two weight vests and one medicine ball. Dropping any of these items or breaking contact with the rope resulted in a five-point penalty for each occurrence. At the end of the stadium, the Red Squad had earned one penalty, and the Black Squad accumulated three. Â
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Having dominated their first challenge, every participant of the Red and Black Squads emphatically cheered and beamed with accomplishment. Coach Molly then called everyone over to announce the score. Combining its 50 points for arriving first at the stadium, 100 points for finishing first in the stadium run, and 100 bonus points from its injured players cooking four meals during the two previous days, the Black Squad earned a total of 250 points. The Red Squad gained 50 bonus points for cooking two meals.
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Going into day two, the score will be 250-50 in favor of the Black Squad, but greater challenges are yet to come and it is still anyone's game.Â
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Think back to the greatest challenge you have ever faced, a challenge that pushed your body and mind to their absolute conceivable-limits. Imagine feeling your heart race and hearing the thud of your feet striking the ground beneath you. Exhaustion begins to set in. Just as you approach the brink of collapse, you shake your head with resolve and drive forth harder, faster, stronger. Grit - this is what OKC is all about.
Â
Today marks day one of Louisville Softball's 2017 Oklahoma City Challenge (OKC), a series of competitions that test the collective work ethic, perseverance, and harmony of the Red and Black Squads. Last night, Coach Molly contacted team captains, senior, Alison Szydlowski, (Mike) of the Red Team and sophomore, Celene Funke (Funk), of the Black Squad to have both teams report to Marshal Center at 6:00 am the next morning. Â
Â
The Red Squad wore red headbands and sleeves, while the Black Squad rolled in with matching black headbands, eye-black, and intricate braids, courtesy of freshman, Danielle Watson. After each team completed a thorough dynamic warm-up, Coach Molly called Mike and Funk over to deliver instructions for the day's challenge. Â
Â
Day one's challenge was a classic: the stadium run. First, each team strategically lined up along their respective ropes and ran to gate six of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The first team to arrive at the gate would receive 50 points. Both teams ran alongside each other until the stadium came into full view. After barely avoiding a severe entanglement of the ropes, the Black Team accelerated ahead of the Red Team and reached the gate just seconds before its opponent. Â
Â
Upon arriving at the stadium, the Red Squad filed to the right side, the Black Squad to the left. A race ensued. Fueled by camaraderie and, in the Black Squad's case, an excellent playlist, each team started swiftly and then gradually adopted a steady pace. The teams crossed in the tallest section of the stadium, with the Black Squad in the lead by roughly one flight of stairs. This crossing inspired each team to kick it into a higher gear. War cries echoed throughout the stadium as each team sped past each other.
Â
The Black Squad finished the stadium a full flight of stairs ahead of the Red Squad, set down its rope and weights, and sprinted to the nearest end-zone, where it encountered the day's final challenge. This task involved completing a pyramid of perfect jumping jacks, which involved a set of five jumping jacks, followed by four sets with one fewer jumping jack than the previous set (5-4-3-2-1). The Black Squad completed five sets of flawless jumping jacks, locking in its victory for the stadium run. Shortly afterwards, the Red Squad completed the stadium run and jumping jacks.
Â
During all but the last segment of day one's challenge, each team had to distribute two weight vests and one medicine ball. Dropping any of these items or breaking contact with the rope resulted in a five-point penalty for each occurrence. At the end of the stadium, the Red Squad had earned one penalty, and the Black Squad accumulated three. Â
Â
Having dominated their first challenge, every participant of the Red and Black Squads emphatically cheered and beamed with accomplishment. Coach Molly then called everyone over to announce the score. Combining its 50 points for arriving first at the stadium, 100 points for finishing first in the stadium run, and 100 bonus points from its injured players cooking four meals during the two previous days, the Black Squad earned a total of 250 points. The Red Squad gained 50 bonus points for cooking two meals.
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Going into day two, the score will be 250-50 in favor of the Black Squad, but greater challenges are yet to come and it is still anyone's game.Â
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Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
RHP
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