Dodgeball Connects Students

    Intramural dodgeball is in full swing, and this year’s season is filled with competitive and fun action. Intramurals at Maryville College provides students with a safe and positive place to participate in competition, and many students find enjoyment in these semi-competitive sports.

    “My favorite part is getting out there with my buddies, competing and throwing the ball as hard as I can,” said junior Nick Meyers.

    Dodgeball is also fun for students to watch, and each game draws quite an audience.

    “When I am watching a game, I want to see people get mushed in the face with a dodgeball,” said senior Mickey Chait.

    While MC promotes a fun-loving atmosphere, many participants are extremely competitive.

    “Gentleman like Austin Newton and Trey Prestridge take dodgeball extremely seriously,” Chait said. “They talk about it constantly. They game plan for hours before each match, and they use it as a recruiting session for intramural softball.”

    To ensure an optimal chance for victory, teams are created with careful planning and consideration.

    “I put my team together based on sporting backgrounds,” senior Austin Newton said. “We have a lot of baseball guys and a couple quarterbacks from the football team, and I think that is going to give us the best chance to win this year.”

    “We look at athletic ability and throwing power,” junior Trey Prestridge said. “It’s not easy to make it on our team I’ll say that.”

    Part of the fun for each player is the thrill of competition.

    “When the dodgeballs start flying I just black out, and all I can see is the person in front of me,” Newton said. “My focus is intense, and I am trying to lead my team to victory every time.”

    “I get fired up, and I love it,” Prestridge said. “My adrenaline starts pumping when that ball gets thrown at me, and I know I’m going catch that ball and get my opponent out.”

    Winning an intramural dodgeball championship is the stuff of legend, and would be an amazing accomplishment for the athletes.

    “It would mean a lot to us since we lost a close one in the championship game last year,” Newton said.

    Although intramural athletics provide students with a chance to have fun, they also serve a greater purpose.

   “Intramurals connects different groups on campus,” referee Brady Brown said. “It’s a way for athletes and non-athletes to get together, compete, have some fun and make the campus a better place.”

    All students are encouraged to come out to the intramural dodgeball games and support those competing.

    “I think intramurals helps everybody come together and be able to have a common interest,” Chait said. “It gives people a chance to enjoy seeing their classmates out there competing, and doing it in a fun and respectful way.”