S. MICHAEL HUTCHESON
STAFF WRITER
Saturday, on a bitter autumn morning, over 300 students gathered to represent their households at the Household Olympics.
After a prayer from the Rev. Matthew Russick, TOR, the teams began the Olympics in a frenzy, eager to earn glory for themselves at the various games scattered around the field.
Some households first went to the sword fight event to battle each other in single combat. Other households flocked to the mechanical bull ride, and still others sought to prove their strength in tug-of-war.
Russick said of the Olympics, “I think it was a smashing success. I was ‘egg-cited’ as well.”
Indeed, one of the more popular events was called “King of the Eggs,” a game in which four household members raced, carrying a fifth, who threw eggs at the other team to slow them down.
There was even a race in which the contestants had to carry a live chicken. As Russick said, “The chickens are the real MVPs. They worked the hardest.”
After a quick lunch break, a hush came over the crowd as Bob Lesnefsky, assistant director of Household Life, announced the teams that would compete for the trophy in the final event.
The three men’s households, Koinonia, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam and Brothers of the Eternal Song, met with much cheering as they were called forward to compete. Among the women’s households however, multiple teams were tied for first and second place, so six women’s households were given a chance to compete for the trophy: Stella Mariae, Love of the Lamb, Daughters of Divine Mercy, Regina Angelorum, Daughters of Zion and Sacrifice of Love.
The playoff event was a human wheelbarrow race, in which one person held the legs of the other, who walked on the ground with his or her hands, weaving in and out of cones.
The men competed first, and the crowd went wild as the pairs exploded off the starting line, the Brothers taking an initial lead over the other two teams. The spectators were loud and fierce; at one point, an egg was thrown from the crowd, which struck one of the Koinonia members in the face. Nevertheless, Koinonia edged out Brothers and won for themselves the men’s household trophy.
Next it was time for the women to vie for glory, and the six chosen households arranged themselves on the edge of the field, awaiting the signal.
The women began with vigor, and Regina quickly established a lead over the other households. They maintained the lead throughout the race, securing the women’s household trophy once again.
As the dust settled and the crowds dispersed, still laughing and talking jovially, it was clear that the Olympics were a great way for the students to grow closer to each other.
As Lesnefsky said, “It’s so cool to see everyone come out and celebrate and just be joyful. Especially in light of the cold weather and the change in date, we had a great turnout. I think everyone felt close to God and close to each other.”