Jack Hennessy ’10
Web Sports Editor
Fans could not contain their excitement for the most intense sporting event of the year. March Madness? NBA post-season? Nope. World Baseball Classic? Please.
No, none of the above could beat the 2nd Annual Staples High School Co-ed Dodgeball Tournament. The competition was intense, and was the talk of the school for two weeks prior.
And oh man, did it deliver. Just like it always has…or as much as the first one anyway.
Kids and staff alike were buzzing with excitement over this tourney and the prospect of a dodgeball championship victory.
Teams such as the Goonies, the Raging Bunnies, and Team High School Musical, showed up to compete with others like the No-Names, Staples Varsity Dodgeball, and the Nerd Herd.
Regardless, early favorites included the defending champs, the Rainbow Ninjas, as well as a solid baseball oriented group led by Ryan Crofts ’09.
Many also favored the stacked staff squad, which included athletic director, David Gusitch, guidance counselor, Michah Lawrence, PE teacher, Michael Catano, social studies teacher, Jonathan Shepro, assistant principal Patrick Micinilio, and other members of the staff,
Shepro, the captain of the staff team, shared his thoughts before the tournament saying, “when you control students’ grades, anything is possible.”
Unfortunately for Shepro, he and his fellow teammates were ousted in the early rounds. Even though according to him “skill, strength, and good looks” were on his team’s side, victory would not be on his side in this tourney.
As for Crofts and his team, their strategy was simple: “aim low.”
The Ninjas reclaimed the crown, defending their title as dodgeball champions.
The members of the team included Rachel Sanfilipo ’09, captain, Abel McElroy ’09, Mike Palumbo ’09, and Nellie Stagg ’09,
This event was organized and ran by Lawrence. The new and improved double-elimination style format worked brilliantly and everyone had a blast. Fans can hardly wait for next year.
