Relay For Life held its first powder pufftournament in fall 2019 to raise money for cancer research. Over a hundred students participated in Harding's first annual powder pufffootball tournament hosted by Relay For Life of Harding University on Sept. 21, 2019. Senior Taylor McCain, tournament director, said the idea to organize a powder puff fundraiser for Relay For Life was in the works in fall 2018, but fall 2019 was the earliest the organization could prepare the tournament. The games began at 10 a.m. at the intramural fields, where the "Gold Gang," comprised of members of the women's basketball team, won first place. Women's social clubs Pi Theta Phi (PTP), Zeta Rho and Sigma Phi Mu also participated. PTP's team won second place, while Zeta Rho and Sigma Phi Mu tied for third. Senior Luke Van Dover coached the "Gold Gang" team. Van Dover said sophomore Hayley Kate Webb asked him to coach the team, which held one practice before the tournament. He said the team played hard, and he was happy to coach for the cause. "It was good to come out on top, but even better was the fact that we were raising money for a great cause." "We played three games and didn't give up a single score," Van Dover said. "It was good to come out on top, but even better was the fact that we were raising money for a great cause." Junior McKenna Wright, service director for PTP and coach for the club's team, expressed similar sentiments. She said the games were fun and playing to raise money for cancer research made the tournament rewarding to participate in. "I found myself on the sidelines telling the girls to remember to 'kick cancer's butt' on the field," Wright said. "Our team was really proud to come in second in the tournament and are looking forward to playing again next year to hopefully get first." Wright said she hoped more people would participate in 2020 to cheer on the players. Junior Ella Stewart played for women's social club Ju Go Ju's team and said she had fun participating, even though she did not fully under~tand the rules of football. "I was just kind of running, and if they told me to do something, I would do it," Stewart said. "Defending was pretty easy. But, like, when we had to do plays and stuff, I was like, 'I have no idea what we're doing; I'm just going to run."' McCain said the fundraiser did not have as much participation as she hoped, but she believed the longer Relay For Life hosted the tournament, the more involvement it would see. She said the tournament raised $500, and she hoped it would continue to increase annually. "I hope someone takes up the challenge to run it next year," McCain said. 'Tm so happy to have raised any money at all. Every bit counts, and raising awareness is very important on its own." story by Sarah Barnard organizations 287
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