Friendly Competition at SFUAD Olympics

Posted by Zoe Baillargeon in Campus

Clothed in multi-colored and multicultural exuberance, the 2^nd annual SFUAD Olympics ruled the day on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Undeterred as dark clouds threatened the sunny afternoon, SFUAD students gathered on the quad, warming up in preparation for the trials ahead. Several teams chose to coordinate T-shirt colors, some even going so far as to stencil their team and personal names on the shirt. At the sound of a whistle, the teams scattered to opposite ends of the Quad to begin competing.

“The teams rotate through the different events, they don’t all compete at once,” explains Keynan Johnson of the SFUAD Student Programming Board, clipboard in hand as he oversees two teams battling it out on the volleyball court. “It’s all about time, not points. The teams can choose which event to go to first, and the fastest wins!”

Events took place on both the Quad and in the Driscoll Fitness Center, with soccer and basketball at the DFC, and inflatable obstacle course, team-legged race, water balloon toss, ski relay race, mini-bicycle race, tug-o-war and volley ball taking place at the Quad.

As with the previous year, this year’s SFUAD Olympics was the brainchild of the Student Programming Board, or SPB, one of the most active and widely known student organizations on campus, specializing in student events. While walking around the Quad, various familiar faces of SPB such as Ramiro Leal could be seen monitoring the events. But there were some new people in charge of the Olympics this year, such as Meg Colburn, a freshman performing arts major who recently joined SPB. Colburn was thrilled to be so involved in planning and organizing events such as this one so early in her involvement in SPB.

“It’s been really fun. I feel super included and like my opinion really matters,” says Colburn, sporting a Superwoman shirt with attached cape.

Ten teams participated in this year’s Olympics, boasting such inventive names as the Sexi Mexis, the Kennedy Mean Girls, the Kennedy Boys, Las Pollas de Bangcok, team Din-Din, Steve, Team Oh Sh*t, the Hangovers and Team My-Anaconda-Don’t-Want-None-Unless-You-Got-Puns-Hun. A truly multicultural event that encouraged national and international students alike to compete, the Quad echoed all afternoon with team battle cries in both English and Spanish.

“It gives students a chance to interact with new people and with their team. There is such diversity within each team,” says Cynthia Lukman of SPB.

SPB members, students and volunteers alike were impressed with the shows of sportsmanship and lack of competition, happy that students were just enjoying themselves and not being overly competitive.

“Everyone’s having a good time, there’s lots of good sportsmanship and team spirit,” says Donn Taylor, a volunteer. Keynan Johnson concurred, saying that “no one’s been overly competitive; it’s all been in a good, fun spirit.”

“It’s a lot of fun,” agrees Daniela Larrea, an international student from Mexico who competed on Team Hangover.

Students were also pleased with the diversity and fun nature of the competitions, many smiling and laughing when asked to recall their favorites.

“I really enjoy the obstacle course,” says Charlotte Renken and Raven Twofeather of Team My-Anaconda-Don’t.

At the end of the day, it was Team Las Pollas de Bangcock who took home top honors, followed by the Kennedy Boys in second place, and Black Team in third.