Story Links
Senior Casey Steffan blogs about the team’s inaugural Orange & Blue Games this fall.
Day 1
The Friday before the Blue and Orange games began, we arrived in the locker room to find our team assignments, designated by either a blue or orange camouflage t-shirt hanging in our respective lockers. It was at that moment when the heckling and teasing began, as team Blue discovered that all the first years were on team Orange, while team Orange reminded us that despite their age, the first years did represent some of the fastest and strongest teammates overall. The first event, however, did not capitalize on either of these strengths as the Blue team achieved a close victory in a penalty kick battle. It was obvious that many of has had little soccer experience as we sent balls dribbling to the feet of the opposing team’s goaltenders or shot balls far wide of the net. Cynthia Javaris demonstrated the only thing resembling skill as she sunk the game winning goal and then saved the rebuttal shot. The Blue team left day one basking in the glory of their marginal victory.
Day 2
On day two, both teams arrived in the locker room to find two footballs. After exchanging tips on how to throw a perfect spiral, we listened to Coach Schmidt explain the day’s event. We were informed that the contest was entitled “Punt, Pass and Kick,” in which each team was divided into smaller three person squads, with each teammate responsible for either a punt, pass or kick of the football. The team tallying the farthest distance after each the punt, pass and kick would win the round, and the best of three would claim victory. The Blue team felt confident as our teammate, Alison Pittman, has been our go-to quarterback in previous games of touch football, and has the ability to throw for significant yardage. As we lined up on the field hockey turf, our coaches prepared to mark the spot where each ball landed. Again, our athletic ability was stunted by the oddly-shaped ball, and punts were sent wobbling in the air (gaining more height than distance). Kicks were shanked to the left and right. In the first round, ace QB Alison Pittman threw a Joe Namath hail Mary pass to give Blue the victory, but in round two, Clara Kendall (broken finger and all) shocked and stunned all who watched as she threw a fifty yard spiral to tie things up for team Orange. The last round, while totaling the shortest overall yardage, was the closest, and in a controversial call by the officials (Coach Heidi, Coach H and Coach Schmidt), the Orange team was deemed the victor.
Day 3
Day three gave both teams a break from any type of athletic shortcomings as we met in UHall for a morning of board games. The events, Cornhole, Jenga, Twister, Trivia, Connect Four and Cards, were scattered on the arena floor, as teams designated one or two players to participate in each game. The Orange team took W’s in Trivia, Cornhole, and Connect Four while the Blue team claimed victory in Twister and Cards. As the other events ended, everyone gathered suspensefully around the Jenga tower as Abby Snyder (Orange) and Sarah Tacke (Blue) engaged in stone-faced competition. We all held our breath as each player took turns wiggling the Jenga pieces from the swaying tower. In what we are sure is a Guinness World Book record-breaking game, the hour-plus match ended with a crash, signaling Jenga victory for the Blue team and a tie in the overall board game event. The week’s score stood stagnant in a tie as we headed into Thursday.
Day 4
Tensions were high as Blue and Orange entered day four in a dead heat. Rumors of a foul shot competition swirled as Ed marched us towards the John Paul Jones Arena. Coach informed us that each team would again be divided into smaller groups of twos and threes and given 45 seconds to score as many points as possible. Different spots on the court signified different point values, and one team member had to shoot and score before the next member could attempt a shot. Blue and Orange each competed on different ends of the court, while a coach kept track of the number of points scored. The first two of Blue’s teams struggled, tallying only five points at the end of both rounds and an Orange victory seemed eminent, but in a come-from behind flash of brilliance, the final portion of team Blue rallied for a 16 point round, allowing them to eek out another hair’s breath victory over team Orange. Orange now needed to win Friday’s event to stay alive in the overall competition.
Day 5
On the final day of the Blue and Orange Games, both teams arrived breathless and worn after the morning’s strength and conditioning circuit with Ed. When it was announced the final event would be a game of dodgeball, excitement grew and Coach explained the rules. Team Orange received a homecoming weekend boost as UVa softball Alum Megan O’Leary stepped in to replace Kelly Haller ( who was not yet cleared to play). Team Blue got off to a shaky start and their failure to recover from early losses proved fatal. Orange dominated in every aspect, knocking out Blue Team members with deadly precision. When Alison Pittman remained the last Blue Team member standing, Team Orange coordinated an all fronts attack and mercilessly claimed victory. This left the total score Blue Team 2, Orange Team 2, as Coach announced that the tie-breaker would be a game of Simon Says. As several spectators watched from the stands of the UHall Arena, Coach barked out “Simon Says” orders such as “Simon says make elephant noises as you jump on one foot.” Despite the spectator’s giggles, members of both teams hopped doggedly, awaiting “Simon’s” next cue. When it seemed that the remaining members of each team could not be stumped, guest trainer Bill Parente took over the role of Simon in a lightening round, and in a controversial finish, Allison Rife claimed victory for team Blue.