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Club sports bring athletes diverse opportunitiesby Lindsey Elling and Matt Bixenstine They do not receive adequate publicity and their members lack athletic scholarships, but many Ohio club sports offer students something even more valuable — the chance for unique college experiences. Clubs sports such as fencing, boxing, sailing, water skiing and ultimate Frisbee might not have been run-of-the-mill high school sports for most students, but with college comes new opportunities. For Ohio’s fencing club, this means participation in an activity that might otherwise not be available to the majority of the population, said Megan Theobald, fencing club president. “You don’t find a whole lot of fencing clubs outside the collegiate level, there’s very few varsity teams throughout the country,” Theobald said. “There aren’t a lot of people who have access to fencing equipment, so this club is a great opportunity.” Club sports provide many people with the opportunities just to compete and enjoy their sport, said Steve Bauer, sailing club president. “Sailing is a lifetime sport that people can compete in at any age, even into their 60s and older,” Bauer said. Currently, many of these unusual club sports, including boxing, Ohio’s oldest club sport, have enjoyed soaring participation, said Kory Klosterman, boxing club president. “We have at least 30 boxers right now,” he said. “We started last year with four boxers, so that’s been very promising.” Theobald said fencing also has experienced a significant increase in membership. “Right now we have about 37 members, which is way up from last year, so we’re thriving as of now,” she said. One reason for pursuing club sports involves continuing a high school athletic career without the time commitment and pressure of varsity sports, said Michael Halsmer, ultimate Frisbee club president. “I know that most of the guys on the (ultimate Frisbee) team were athletes of some type in high school, and it’s a great way to continue sports while meeting people and having fun,” Halsmer said. Club sports also offer students a chance to get out of Athens and off campus for a weekend, Bauer said. “You have the chance to get together and stay with all teams you compete against,” he said. “You become friends with people from universities everywhere.” Justin Middaugh, president of the water ski club team, said his favorite part is going to tournaments on weekends and hanging out with good friends on the boat and in the water. While the ultimate Frisbee team also spends its spring season traveling to various competitions, one of its favorite tournaments occurs Halloween weekend on South Green Intermural Fields, Halsmer said. “That’s pretty much the only home tournament we have,” he said. “It’s a really fun tournament because everyone dresses up in costumes to play and alumni participate.” The water ski team, and many of the other club sports, encourage interested students to come out and try their sports, Middaugh said. “We are more than willing to help people learn,” he said. “We are willing to teach anyone.” Anyone considering club sports should check out the club sports Web site at http://www.ohio.edu/recreation/club/club.htm.
Club sports at Ohio Sports President Baseball Jon Boyd Boxing Kory Klosterman M. Crew Marcus Wunderle W. Crew Amy Popp Cycling Matt Lesher Equestrian Jessie West Softball Dawn Lunsford Fencing Megan Theobold Gymnastics Katie Sprenger M. Lacrosse Will Mathes W. Lacrosse Joni Czyzak Martial Arts Jeromy Hastings Mountain Bike Pete Moran M. Rugby Billy Regan W. Rugby Amber O’Connor Sailing Steve Bauer Shotokan Toni Jones M. Soccer Ben Brant W. Soccer Marlene Kaiser Tae Kwon Do Ambrosia Walker Tennis Vince Carpico Triathlon Ben Clark M. Ultimate Michael Halsmer W. Ultimate Lindsay Neary M. Volleyball Dave Vance W. Volleyball Amy Vanecko M Water Polo Matt Kittle W. Water Polo Jenny Case Water Ski Justin Middaugh |