Poised for action, juniors Justin Shubert and Gary Lashley and senior Beau Howe wait for the snap during a Knights flag football game. Flag football, which took place in October, was a popular club sport. (Photo by April Clem) Senior Emily Wade contemplates her next move during a Ju Go Ju softball game in September. Many athletes enjoyed the opportunities softball provided to show off their athletic prowess. (Photo by April Clem) I elining leam enon Members look for competitive edge The club sports fall season kick– off meant it was time for athletes to put on their game faces. After asum– mer hiatus, students were ready to get back into the swing of things. JuniorMatt Price studied abroad last spring as part of the Harding University inAustralia program and missed the opportunity to play sports with his Kappa Sigma Kappa brothers. Although he was able to work out in Australia, he sa id he was happy to be back in the lineup. "It's great to be back and play actual team sports again," Pricesaid. "It provides a great opportunity to hangout with the guys I don't see as often." The opportunity to compete in a va riety of sports, including softball, flag football, basketball, swimmi ng, track and volleyball,guaranteed ath– letes would find their niche. Price, who played foo tball and baseball in high school, said club sports ensured athletes a chance to practice their skills. "A lot of people played sports in high school and now can get back out there and play some more," Price said. "It's a great mix. Everybody is playing on different levels with dif– ferent backgrounds." Members of King'sMen competed against clubs of similar ability as they were classified as a large club for the first time this year. With 75 active members, the club maintained con– sistent domination in nearly every sport, warranting the promotion, Jim Gowen, director of men's intramurals, said. "It takes a couple of years to de– termine where a club should be," Gowen said. "We try to keep as much of a balance as possible and some of the very small clubs are not able to compete. Competition-wise, King's Men is able to compete on a higher level." Sophomore Trevor Goertzen,ath– letic director for King's Men, was initially skeptical of the change, but later realized the reasoning behind the decision. "At first I was disappointed be– cause I figured we'd get lit up all the time, but then I stepped back and realized it will benefit the club," Goertzen said. "The move has been a good thing for our club and done a lot for us." Gowen said he believed the league change was a good decision. "King's Men has very much been competitive so far this year," he said . "They did very well in softball and took third place in the large club A– team bracket." Women's club Kappa Gamma Epsilon also experienced growing pains as its membership moved up to large club status. However, be– cause the change was so recent, the club still competed against both me– dium and large clubs. Senio r Kellsey Smith, Kappa Gamma Epsilon athletic director, believed thespiritofcompetition and sportsmanship was most important. "1 like being in Kappa Gamma because if we win, it's a bonus and if we lose, it's not a big deal," Smith said. "Some of the competition, like A-team against large clubs, is hard. It's aggressive, it's tough competi– tion. But the girls playing are really good sports about it. It's just fun playing. That's what's important." - Christy Canady sports 225 1111111 .
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