When in a competition, most athletes think about their opponents or an opportunity for a medal. However, many competitors at the Huddle Olympics had summer camp on their mind and the FC squad surprised themselves and won the event.

Eight schools competed from the Central Valley at the Huddle Olympics at Velocity Sports in Fresno from 1-5 P.M. on Sept. 30. Five students competed on each team for a chance to win a $1,000 grant to attend the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) camp during July.

“My friends got me interested in joining in the Huddle Olympics,” Kelli Bains, Selma High student, ’07, said. “Everyone there was really nice and fun to be around.”

The Huddle Olympics consisted of five different relays. Each individual relay was composed of sprints, ball handling skills, calisthenics, hurdles, and balance activities.

“We had no expectations of winning and we just did are best and worked hard,” Carson Hopper, ’08, said. “We just went all out and had fun not worrying how well we did. Our worst event was the basketball; we were relaying on Joshua Palmer, (’08) because he is a basketball player. Against all odds we beat the other teams and won and got the $1000 for FCA camp.”

The campus placed in three out of the five events and won the event; Selma High School finished in second while Hoover placed third.

“I thought we did awesome in Huddle Olympics because the team worked together very well and they were enthusiastic,” Ericlee Gilmore, FCA adviser, said. ” I thought we were going to get third, maybe second, but I didn?t think we would win.”

About 100 students competed in 20 teams; the campus beat the second place by one point.

“I thought the other teams competed very well,” David Quenzer, ’07, said, “because most of the players on the other team were football players.”

The award ceremony ended at 3 P.M. and afterwards, the athletes went to Edward’s Cinemas to see the movie, Facing the Giants.

“I wanted to show my competitive spirit for God,” Alex Aremas, Fresno High student, ’09, said. “I got to know people, that usually wouldn’t get to know. I found out that they’re cool and have the same love for God as I do.”

Out of many events that the Huddle Olympics hosted some events where more enjoyed than others.

“My favorite event was the one where we had to balance, because it took team work for us to complete it,” Hopper said. “When we found out that we won I was really surprised.”

For more information about the Huddle Olympics, contact Faythe Broussard at 559-908-3868 or e-mail [email protected].