Dodgeball
Community Dodgeball Team Dodges Tourney Loss
I’m here with 
ounting a recent dodgeball tournament involving some of Winterset’s finest athletes. Pastor Jay, can you describe the scene?
“We went into the competition feeling pretty good about ourselves. We had some all-star wrestlers and basketball players on our team; pretty well packed with athletes. The scene itself was a large gymnasium for the big dodgeball tournament.”
Eight teams comprised of various church youth groups gathered at
“The game was 15 on 15 dodgeball. Each game lasted for 10 minutes—the team who won the most games in 10 minutes, or was ahead at 10 minutes, won the match.”
Was the equipment professional grade?
“What we played with at this tournament were the 12- to 14-inch multicolored playground balls. Regulation dodgeballs are foam balls covered with a truck bed lining. Since we were such an athletic team, we were all about throwing and trying to knock people out. However, the situation lent itself towards catching teams that could catch the balls and knock us out, and that’s what we had working against us. In such a big room, the balls just sort of float.
Pastor Jay, have you been in this situation before?
”We have played a dodgeball tournament before, and the reason why we went into this feeling good about ourselves is because we won that one and earned the title State Dodgeball Champions.”
Ooh, was there a trophy involved?
“There is a traveling trophy that goes to the first place team . . . I never saw it.”
I see. What can you tell me about your star players?
“Sean O’Conner was one of the players who could hang in there for a long time—when it was narrowed down to him and only a few others, he could knock out a few guys on his own. Other notable team members included: Cory Van Pelt, the 215-pound wrestling state champion, heavyweight Taylor Stroud the 5th place 2006 state wrestling finisher in his weight class . . . and photographer Annie Weaver.”
Is there any one moment that will always stand out in your mind?
“When they announced that we didn’t lose—we got seventh place . . . out of eight.”
That is a proud moment, Pastor Jay. Can you tell me anything else about the day, anything at all?
“It was all the pizza and pop that we could handle—which may have also led to our demise.”
Any chance that you will return for another chance at dodgeball glory next year?
“It is an annual thing; this was the fourth annual I believe—this is the first I’ve been around for. There’s another one next year. We’re going to rethink our strategy and hopefully have a little better showing.”
Although the WCC team didn’t place as highly as they’d hoped . . . um . . . it was really great exercise. Thanks Pastor Jay. Back to you Dave!
(Published in the Winterset Madisonian 03-22-06)