2008 Woodie Awards
Spirited Freshman Olympics unite class of 2011
Mitty Hall victorious for second time in three years at annual event
J. Harry Painter
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: News
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It is close, but not meant to be; at least not on the soccer field.
With time running out, a Gael garbed in yellow manages to thrust his way past two navy blue defenders, clearing the path for what becomes a tiebreaking-and heartbreaking-final goal.
Sweating and screaming, an army of navy blue soon descends on the referees as Mitty's attempt to rush retaliation is called off due to time. This call allows De La Salle Hall resident advisor (RA) Sam Westermann '09 to continue leading his team's already uproarious celebration.
This emotion is felt not over a decisive NCAA tournament game or even a friendly intramural match, but the Freshman Olympics.
The annual event, which was inaugurated in 1999 and reinvented in 2004, gives new students the opportunity to mingle over several sports and games, including flag football, basketball, dodgeball, and several fun team-oriented challenges.
However, the Olympics are mainly intended to encourage socialization and bonding among Saint Mary's College's newest class.
According to several students, this objective was met this past Labor Day by the class of 2011. Junior Tina Vincent, a student leader with Recreational Sports, said, "[The Freshman Olympics are] a great way for each dorm to really get to know each other." Sharing this sentiment was Meagan Krave '08, an RA in Mitty. She said, "It's really fun to get your hall together; get your hall united."
Krave's hall was decidedly united enough to emerge victorious for the second time in three years, leaving Justin and De La Salle Halls as the runner-ups. In fact, excluding the inaugural 1999 year of the event when it was known as the Central Campus Olympics, the only other team that has prevailed in the end is Augustine 1 and 2 (half of Augustine Hall), who won in 2004 and 2006.