By Dena Adi/sports editor
SE students tested their athletic capabilities in an obstacle course Feb. 25.
Jim Birmingham/The Collegian
Donald Reed and Angel Gonzales were the fastest males. Marci Gilliand and Jackie Stafford were the fastest females. The winners received a Timex watch and a spot of recognition on a plaque.
While the majority of students were seeking extra credit, freshman and University of Oklahoma transfer student John Celestial joined the competition hoping “to climb things.” Victoria Thomas was “doing it for fun,” and Gonzales “wanted to see how [he’d] do.”
The obstacle course began with participants running back and forth from two cones. It proceeded with them jumping hurdles, carrying medicine balls, leaping over more hurdles, dragging a tire, bouncing on three different trampolines, doing push-ups, bouncing over tires, and then finally sprinting to the finish line. Participants agreed it looked easier than it really was, and the cardio exercise proved demanding.
For most students, the obstacle was completed within three minutes, but student and participant Brian Knapp faces obstacles everyday. A motorcycle accident in 1996 left Knapp comatose for seven weeks. After several years of carrying pain in his arm from the accident, he finally had it amputated.
Knapp signed up for the competition through his conditioning class for extra credit. He said he doesn’t let his disability get in the way of his life.
“I can’t be a part of a one-arm pity party. No one would join,” he laughed. “It’s challenging, but I make the most out of it.”
Knapp is also the kicker for his football team, called the DFW Heat, and promises he can beat anyone at a game of pool.
Starting off slowly in the race, Knapp found it especially hard during the medicine ball carry.
“I definitely could have used a hand there, but I managed,” he said.
He certainly did manage, picking up the pace and beating out his opponent, finishing in an impressive 2 minutes, 52 seconds.
Among the winners, Gonzales was pleased that he ended up doing well.
“It was fun and definitely harder than it looked,” he said.
Every participant received a T-shirt and a cardio workout.
