Dodgeball Tournament

For the past 8 years, our church has hosted a Dodgeball Tournament to raise funds for the youth group's summer mission trip. Each year, Matthew has counted down the years until he could form his own team. Well, this was the year! Few sports incorporate so many characteristics that Matthew adores....intensity, aggression, pegging people with balls...like dodgeball. If he could major in it in college, I believe he would.

After 4 hours of Upwards basketball last Saturday morning, Bryon stayed at the gym to ref the high school division while I worked the snack bar. A few minutes before it started, Matthew raced over to me to let me know that a high school team was short a player and they had asked Matthew to fill in. He was beaming! My co worker at the snack bar told me to run in and watch him in action. Sure enough, I walked in with Matthew being the sole survivor on his team staring down two large high school boys. The crowd was cheering Matthew on and erupted in applause when Matthew pegged the first guy out. Members of the youth group started shouting, "Dude! You're getting beat by a 6th GRADER!!" It may have been the proudest moment of his life! The remaining high schooler waited until time expired and a tie was called. What a nice warm up!

Then, it was time for the junior high division. There were 13 teams involved with 6th-8th graders. Matthew and crew beat every team but one 8th grade team. They were so much fun to watch and are already planning on getting the team back together for next year. Something tells me these guys will be unstoppable! Bryon's team did great in the adult division later on that night. Last year, they came in 2nd place, and this year lost in the semi finals. After 14 hours of being in our church gym, we were very happy to get home!