" For those of us who aren't in a club, it's a goo~ chance to get back into sports . an~ play competitive games. " " It relieves stress, an~ I like being able to push myselfan~ challenge myself " " I like intramurals because you get a chance to compete, but they're not as muchof a rivalry as games_ " Cflrrit Brflw1t INTRAMURALS ' Students comRffe • on their ownlevel Harding's proud tradition of intramural spotts involves a vari ety of students of all ages and majors and both genders. For female students , the intramural program was a chance [Q let out the frustrations and stresses of school by playing hard and then basking in the sa tisfaction of having done their best. "It relieves stress, and I like being able to push myself and challenge myself," sophomore Gretchen Simmons said. "1think it's a great opportunity for people who were active in high school sports to play in a competitive, organized situation." "I like intramurals because you get a chance to compete, but they are not as much of a rivalry as club games," junior Corrie Brown said . "It'smore for fun, and you ge t to play with people who you normally don't play w ith. " For many members oflargeand medium clubs , playing intramurals was more laid back than playing club sports. For members of sma ll clubs , however, the oppOsite was often true. "Intramurals are more competitive than small club sports," freshman Kasey Denny said . Denny was a member of a sma ll club tliat did not always have enough interested members to form a team for each sport. "This is my first year to be in a social club, but I decided to continue playing intramurals because my club is so small that many times we don 't have enough people to compete," freshman Sue Ann Carson said . , For students who were not in a social club and did hot play on the in terco ll egiate level, intramurals were a good opportunity to play organized sports. "It's given us a chance to meet ni ce Chri stian girls and enjoy friendly competition, " freshman atalie McNeese said. "For those of us who aren't in clubs, it's a good chance to get back into sports and play competitive games ." Intramurals also provided the opportunity to play individual sports such as tennis. "J had one tennis match that lasted three hours. We were on the same level, and it was pretty intense," freshman Aasta Pedersen said. The social aspect of intramurals was also an advantage. SophomoreJill Wilson said, "One thing I really appreciate about intramurals is that, when I came [0 Harding as a freshman, I didn 't know a lot of people around campus, and intramuralswere a great way for me to meet people wh ile doing something I loved." "You get to meet people who are outside of your circle of friends and outside your club," Simmons said. The friendships made by playing intramural sports lasted long after the games were over. "Some of my close friends now are people I met playing intramural sports, " Denny said. "Intramuralsgive me a chance to meet new people who play tenniS, and then I can play with them after the intramural games are over," Pedersen said. Whether they participated for exercise and competition or to make friends and relieve stress, Harding women helped continue the strong inrramural tradition. - Wendi Keller Sophomore Autumn Spell spikes one to her opponent whilejunior Susie Smith waits/or tbe return. Students had a variety of events to participate in as part o/tbe intramuml progrtlln. Photo by Kristi Bt,u'ns Sports 229 f&t
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