April 2, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio - When the sophomores and freshmen walked into Frenzel house (South Green dorm), the first thing we saw was a basement looking room and a sign on the elevator reading "out of service". We should have known that our stay at Frenzel or "Fun House" would be something that none of us would ever expect. We took our bags and trucked it up the castle-looking stairs to the first floor. We opened the door leading into our living area and dropped our bags. Welcome ladies and gentlemen to our spring break! There was a big room with some run down chairs, a couch, and an old coffee table. There were two hallways that branched off of the living area that had about six single rooms on each side and a bathroom. The hallways were dark, creepy, and hollow looking. Someone asked "where is the TV?!" Did we have a TV? No! Did we have to bond 24/7 for the next week? Yes.

We did our best to make up for our situation. For normal people who usually run on the beach or take strolls in parks on spring break, AT (Alexis Zambrana) and Sarah (Clark) decided to make their own version of activities. After a friendly brawl between AT and Paige (Kemezis), AT was able to borrow Paige's rollerblades, but only under strict supervision. Sara rode around on AT's bike, while AT was doing circles and "cool stuff" on the skates. For people on spring break who play games outside in the sunny weather, we were able to accommodate similar activities in the dorms. Basketball was played with a plastic basketball hoop that suction cupped to the window. For bowling, we sent up a tower of pop cans and used a Frisbee to knock over the cans. Intense handball was played and leg wrestling also took place. It would not be fun if we did not get to pull pranks on our teammates. Luckily for Lauren (Histed) and I, we were kidnapped and placed on the sophomores' side. It was us against who else, but AT and Brooke (Morgart). Erika (Girard) remained neutral, until we found out she tried picking the locks to our rooms. I could go on and on about the dorms and how fun it was, but now it's time to highlight some action that took place this weekend in terms of games.

Cold, rainy, and cloudy. Welcome to our home opener! We walked into the field with a sight of about 20 guys pushing water into a drain that came off the tarp that was put on the night before (Thank you grounds crew. You're the best!). Other than the weather, it was an ideal home opener. The stands were filled with fans, music filled the stadium and the `Cats were ready for battle. The doubleheader was filled with offensive attacks from both sides. The highlight of the day was when Emily (Wethington), Candace (Saucedo), and Erika (Girard) hit back-to-back-to-back home runs. Yes, that's three in a row.

Thursday we travelled to Western Michigan to play a double header. Thankfully the rain and clouds held off and the sun shined through. Seeing the sun for the first time in a few days must have been a symbol because Shay (Shalene Petrich) hit her first home run (No, that is not a typo). Before the ball got over the fence, she was already rounding second base. You should have seen her face running around the bases. She was ecstatic.

After the games, we shipped off to Northern Illinois. We were suppose to play Saturday and Sunday, but due to some predicted weather on Sunday, we played a doubleheader on Saturday. The weather was not as good this time. It was freezing, and I believe I saw some sleet for a few innings. After the games, we gathered our things and headed home. Nine hours later (roughly 4 a.m.), we found ourselves knocked out on the couches and blow up mattresses of the upperclassmen.

When we started this spring break, we did not know if we would survive. But with each other, we made ends meet, and we had a memorable spring break. Together we are better!

Jillian Van Wagnen
The winner of the best dancer of Spring Break