Ducking and Dodging Garners School Spirit
Annual dodgeball tournament returns to Pioneer and collects large student crowds.
By Ezekiel McClintock
Annual dodgeball tournament returns to Pioneer and collects large student crowds.
By Ezekiel McClintock
Targeting specific balls during the initial engagement or sending players to the backcourt in order to catch missed throws were strategies employed by teams in Pioneer's annual dodgeball tournament. The event returned to entertain large crowds this year with its fast-paced and exciting, action-packed games.
The tournament began on Monday, Nov. 28 with the student final being held on Thursday, Dec. 8 and the student versus teacher game the next day. Games were held in the gym at lunch between the 17 participating teams in an elimination bracket, with the winner advancing and the loser being knocked out.
Games were also conducted by a designated rulebook that was decided upon by organizers and sent to players prior to the start of the tournament. Additionally, each member of every team was required to be in the same color shirt or top to clearly distinguish them from the other teams.
The last game of the tournament featured the JV Demons and their opponents, Big Wood, for the championship. Jaw-dropping plays were made on both sides, and the game was nothing short of spectacular. The JV Demons kept up constant pressure with their extremely fast, hard to catch throws and passive defense, and eventually prevailed in best of five rounds.
The primary goal of the tournament, according to organizer Sofia Tornel, 12, was to use dodgeball to bring students together and increase the overall spirit on campus.
"Anyone can join the tournament and being able to do it with your friends adds an extra layer of comfortability," said Tornel.
No external funding was necessary to put on the event, as all materials and equipment were provided internally and the event was almost entirely student run, with the exception of Activities Director Michelle Mayhew acting as a referee and organizer for the games.
"The PE department pretty much helped the most with resources for the tournament by providing the dodgeballs and other equipment," said Tornel.
Participant Tyler Sawicki, 12, from the team “Great Balls of Fire,” enjoyed the tournament because of the fact that any team could win regardless of their athletic ability or experience.
"I love seeing when underdogs win. You always expect the sports teams to win but sometimes another team has one player who's insane at the game and can lead their team to a win," said Sawicki.
Kaushal Anand, 10, enjoyed the event because of the relaxed atmosphere and the fact that the event had a competitive aspect to it for all students to enjoy.
"Dodgeball is a recreational activity rather than a proper sport, so this allows it to be fun and playful while also being competitive," said Anand.
The student crowd also appreciated the tournament, being mostly calm but getting particularly raucous when a good play was made or when a person catching or being hit with a ball was missed by the organizers.
"It's not super-serious but people do pick sides and cheer a lot when someone makes a great throw or catch," said Sawicki.
Among both players and spectators, student opinions about the tournament were positive, and most think the tournament should return next year for another edition.
The tournament began on Monday, Nov. 28 with the student final being held on Thursday, Dec. 8 and the student versus teacher game the next day. Games were held in the gym at lunch between the 17 participating teams in an elimination bracket, with the winner advancing and the loser being knocked out.
Games were also conducted by a designated rulebook that was decided upon by organizers and sent to players prior to the start of the tournament. Additionally, each member of every team was required to be in the same color shirt or top to clearly distinguish them from the other teams.
The last game of the tournament featured the JV Demons and their opponents, Big Wood, for the championship. Jaw-dropping plays were made on both sides, and the game was nothing short of spectacular. The JV Demons kept up constant pressure with their extremely fast, hard to catch throws and passive defense, and eventually prevailed in best of five rounds.
The primary goal of the tournament, according to organizer Sofia Tornel, 12, was to use dodgeball to bring students together and increase the overall spirit on campus.
"Anyone can join the tournament and being able to do it with your friends adds an extra layer of comfortability," said Tornel.
No external funding was necessary to put on the event, as all materials and equipment were provided internally and the event was almost entirely student run, with the exception of Activities Director Michelle Mayhew acting as a referee and organizer for the games.
"The PE department pretty much helped the most with resources for the tournament by providing the dodgeballs and other equipment," said Tornel.
Participant Tyler Sawicki, 12, from the team “Great Balls of Fire,” enjoyed the tournament because of the fact that any team could win regardless of their athletic ability or experience.
"I love seeing when underdogs win. You always expect the sports teams to win but sometimes another team has one player who's insane at the game and can lead their team to a win," said Sawicki.
Kaushal Anand, 10, enjoyed the event because of the relaxed atmosphere and the fact that the event had a competitive aspect to it for all students to enjoy.
"Dodgeball is a recreational activity rather than a proper sport, so this allows it to be fun and playful while also being competitive," said Anand.
The student crowd also appreciated the tournament, being mostly calm but getting particularly raucous when a good play was made or when a person catching or being hit with a ball was missed by the organizers.
"It's not super-serious but people do pick sides and cheer a lot when someone makes a great throw or catch," said Sawicki.
Among both players and spectators, student opinions about the tournament were positive, and most think the tournament should return next year for another edition.