fun & laying sports was a way of life for many people, whether for fun, competition or the love of the game.From Frisbee tournaments on the front lawn to playing an intense pickup soccer game, students found ways to be involved in sports throughout the year. Two popular ways students kept their athletic skills sharpened were social club and intramural team sports. Intramural play gave students the opportunity to compete in all kinds of sports along with the chance to earn a letter jacket. Playing for social club teams, ranging in skill level from A-team competition to the token freshmen E-team, also kept athletes on their toes while fostering friendly inter-club competition. Although one team alone could be time-consuming,some students planned out their schedules to be on as many types of teams as possible. Junior Gavin LaFave played all sports offered,from soccer to softball, for his club Beta Omega Chi. He also played intramural basketball, working toward a letter jacket. “I enjoy playing these sports because [the players] are all out there playing for a common goal,” LaFave said. “I enjoy the bonds that are created between each of the players on the teams.” Both types of teams gave former high school athletes the chance to continue their beloved pastime. Many students did not qualify for, chose not to or did not have the chance to pursue collegiate level athletics. Social club and intramural teams were the perfect solution for keeping skills in shape. Senior Sabrina Queen had played softball from a young age. Since Harding lacked a girls’softball team,Queen had to find other ways to continue playing the game she loved. In both the spring and fall semesters, she played softball for her social club Shantih, an intramural team and a co-ed team in Searcy. Senior Matt White originally thought that he would play football for Harding, but instead he decided to focus on track and field, specifically the decathlon. However, he found a way to continue playing football — his Knight’s social club flag football team. “Flag football is a little different than tackle football,” White said, “but I still enjoy playing the sport.” The social atmosphere of games also enticed students to join teams. Junior Kellie DeAtley played midfield for Harding’s soccer team and a number of sports for her social club Delta Gamma Rho.She said playing sports was a great way to hang out with friends she would not otherwise see. Many girls in her club played sports, so it was a set time and place to see friends. “Since the teams are different skill levels for each sport, I play different ones for each sport,” DeAtley said. “By being on those teams, I get to spend time with different girls from my club.” [Michelle Greer and Kristin Kelley] games Athletescan’tget enoughof sports p [ ] [athletics] 253 Senior Kings Menmember CaseyMcDonald defends the ball from freshman ThetaNu XI member Ricky Bates under thewatchful eye of referee senior Chase Fowler in the first A-teamgame of the season on Jan. 22 in theGAC. “I balancemy tasks by scheduling my school work like a full-time job, which allows plenty of study time and opportunity to have fun,”McDonald, a jacket-bearing, intramural sports participant said. [Jonathan Lindsay]
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