Library Gazette

Craig Races to the Toilet!

Craig Watches Heather and Prentice in the Water Balloon Toss

Another successful, fun filled Summer Olympic Challenge came to an end yesterday with a final “Mystery Event” Relay. The Zephyr Relay Team for the challenge was Craig (who competed in the toilet plunger toss), Prentice and Heather (water balloon toss) and Mary Beth (Cracker eating whistler!).

Can MB chew and whistle at the same time?

The Annual Staff Summer Olympic Challenge took place this year over a 7 week period. This year there were 12 teams from departments across campus. This year’s weekly events included some old favorites like archery and water polo, but introduced some new ones like the adventure race and bowling. The event has been offered by Campus Recreation since 2003, with ZSR Library fielding a team every year except 2007. Over the years, we have fielded winning teams, bringing home the gold three years, silver last year, and bronze this year (like Lance at the Tour this year!). Each Zephyrs team member received a Starbucks gift certificate as our prize (very handy, don’t you agree?) In addition, Erik secured third place in the men’s individual competition that rewards daily lifestyle points earned for exercising and taking classes.

This year’s Zephyrs team was Heather Gillette, Travis Manning, Prentice Armstrong, Mary Beth Lock, Craig Fansler, Carolyn McCallum, Susan Smith and Erik Mitchell.

Way to go, Zephyrs!

The Zephyrs took on the Summer Olympic Challenge quadrathalon on Wednesday and came home with a respectable third place finish. Susan started the event with a 500 meter row, Craig rocketed a 1.5 mile bike ride, Travis sped through a .5 mile run and to finish the event Prentice hit 50 pushups.

The rest of the team cheered our core team on and watched (amazed) at Prentice knock out 50 pushups as if he was warming up for a light workout.

The Zephyrs were ready but not thrilled about having to brave the rain for today’s scheduled challenge, Frisbee Golf on Davis Field. We were puzzled to recieve an email this morning saying that the scheduled games were off due to the inclement weather and we were to report to Reynolds Gym at noon instead.

Not knowing what to expect, Prentis, Travis, Erik, Susan, Heather, Carolyn and Mary Beth walked over to the gym and, after trading a few barbs with opposing team mates, descended to The Six weight room where we were given the rules to the new game. We had to pick three team mates, who each would be doing one physical challenge while the rest of the team answered trivia questions. If the team completed the trivia questions without the team mate tiring and giving up, we could earn points for every question we got right. If the team mate got too tired while we debated the answer to the questions, we couldn’t answer any more questions in that round. We bemoaned the fact that our Quiz Bowl champs weren’t on the Olympic team today!

The first challenge was a “wall sit”, and was admirably completed by Erik. He had to lean on the wall, with his thighs parallel to the floor, while we answered the 6 questions on fitness and nutrition. I don’t think he even broke a sweat. The next challenge was dispatched handily by Travis who maintained a “plank” position, (anyone who’s done this in yoga knows it’s not easy) while we answered another set of questions. In the final challenge, Prentis did “crunches” while we answered the last 6 questions. Luckily, between us, we knew enough nutrition, fitness, biology and etymology to eek out a first place win. And the three gentlemen in the group managed to maintain poise and style, while utilizing skill, (not luck) and demonstrating their physical prowess.

Next week, Susan, Erik, Heather and Carolyn are ready to go head to head with other teams in the Water Polo Basketball Rematch. Come on out and watch!

The ZSR Zephyrs (or “Zephs”, since it has a little more attitude) played to a 2 Win, 1 Loss series today in Reynolds Gym, kicking of the Summer Olympics in fine style. The “A” team today consisted of Travis and Prentice, with Craig and Mary Beth acting as cleanup.

The first round was played against “The Committee” from Admissions. While their name would make them seem mild mannered, they schooled the Zefs in a 16-11 loss. The “B” team were handed a 2 point lead by Travis and Prentis before they approached the table for their half, but Craig and MB couldn’t carry the victory off. “The Committee” quickly found and exploited the weakness in the team, (AKA Mary Beth). MB realized she was going to have to settle down to keep the ball on the table.

Round two, played against the Stage Muthas (Theater/Dance) went better, and was closely played between the two teams. The final score was 17-15. Prentice and Travis again gave the Zephs a lead, and Craig and Mary Beth nearly managed to lose it when the opposing team won several unanswered points in the half. Craig and MB rallied late and took the team from a score of 11-15, to 17-15 to win game two.

The last round was played against the “Exhibitionists” from Reynolda House. Drunk on their previous victory, the Zephs hit their stride by the third game and finished off the opponents with a 16-7 victory. Well deserved high fives were given all around.

Next week…FRISBEE GOLF!

On one of the coldest days in recent years, the ZSR Zephyrs gathered to celebrate our 2nd place finish in last summer’s staff Olympics. Our prize was a $50 gift certificate to Chipotle’s and it languished in my desk drawer for months. But, when everyone remembered it, we quickly set a time for a “reunion” over burritos! Team members Erik, Roz, Heather, Mary Beth, Carolyn, Prentice and Susan chowed down and decided this was our first 2009 season training session!

Today was the final competition for the 2008 WFU Staff Summer Olympics. The challenge was a relay: Prentice and Mary Beth formed a human wheelbarrow (Prentice started out holding up Mary Beth as she walked on her hands, but they switched off midway). Then, when they arrive at the pie table, Prentice had to eat a whole apple pie (no hands allowed). Next, Susan bobbed for an apple. Erik finished up the relay by throwing on/carrying a variety of pool accessories (inner tube, noodle, kick board, etc.) back to the finish line. It was a noble effort by all, particularly Prentice who had eaten lunch prior to showing up for the “mystery” event. Weight Watchers Erik, Mary Beth and Susan all refused to eat a whole pie!

However, the effort was enough to secure the ZSR Zephyrs 2nd Place in the team category for the entire summer - especially since we were one of only 4 teams who turned in all the participants’ lifestyle points (librarians always follow the rules of the game!). And Erik nabbed 1st Place in the Individual Male competition (lifestyle points + individual competition points).

Overall, it has been a fun-filled summer with the Wednesday competitions being a nice mid-week highlight. And it’s always a great way to interact with fellow WFU staffers in other campus departments.

Way to go, Zephyrs!