On Thursday, Feb. 8, FHS is having a dodgeball tournament. It will start at 5 p.m. and is expected to last around two hours, but may run longer because each game has no time limit. There are 16 teams signed up, and the tournament was open to anyone who wanted to participate and make a team. It is a bracket style, double elimination tournament which means that if a team loses the first round they are moved to the losers’ bracket to play other teams that lost. So, even if a team doesn’t win the first game and gets moved to the losers’ bracket, they still have a chance for redemption if they beat the other losers.
The tournament will be held in the more spacious new gym instead of the old gym because of the amount of interest the event has. Spectators are welcome to watch the teams compete and enjoy concessions that are available for anyone to purchase.
The teams are very competitive and determined this year, so it is sure to be a great competition. Some of FHS’ very own softball stars, Ashley Helfin, Grace Fauk, Lydia Lovell, Savannah Smith, Kara Kaltreider and Ashley Murphy have created a team named “All Dodge No Balls” and are determined to be the number one team. “I think we’re going to dominate and get first place,” said Heflin. They are sure to be a strong team that will use their softball arm strength to their advantage.
There are also some confident freshmen ready to prove themselves as this is their first year participating. “We’re definitely going to just try our best and really show out as freshmen and make a name for ourselves,” said freshman Natalie Noland, one of the coaches of the freshmen team. Noland and Alexis Kannard are hoping to coach their team, “Blue Balls,” to a victory. Their players are Landon Green, Christian Baggetta, Talon Ritenour, Sacha Martinez and Kamari Washington. “Our tactics are going to be just to chuck the ball,” said Noland on how she plans to win their games.
There are many more teams determined to do what they can to win. For example, junior Ben Noland is participating on a team named “Fox Five” and may end up playing his freshmen sister Natalie Nolands’ team, though he doesn’t seem to be worried about that. “[I’m not worried] at all. They’re not good,” scoffed Noland.
The reigning champs for two years in a row will be participating again this year. That team, “The Ball Slingers,” consists of seniors Joey Renzi, Chase Leazer, Kobe Link, Mason Hamilton and junior Mason Markell. Heflin identifies them as her team’s “biggest competitor.” Only time can tell if the “Ball Slingers” can defend the title and win the trophy for yet another year.
