This week's installment of the Intramural Corner will take a look back on the second season of Geneseo intramurals, specifically the arena football and dodgeball champions.
The men's arena flag football champion was Leeroy Jenkins, the #1 seed heading into the playoffs. They defeated #9 Texas Shockers in the first round, following up that win with victories over #4 Motor Boaters in the semifinals and #3 Willis in the championship game.
The co-ed division also saw the top seed take home the title, with The Colts besting #2 Master Gators. The team was led by sophomore captain and quarterback Erick Kraemer, who was optimistic about his team's chances of winning again next year.
"Chances for another appearance in the championship game are good, but the Master Gators are really talented and played us incredibly tight," said Kraemer. "Both games, including the championship game, came down to the last play which made for some exciting stuff."
Kraemer had plenty of options at receiver, with the talented trio of sophomores Katie Smith, Bill Monteith and Jim Bedard. Defensively, The Colts relied on the skills of sophomores Kim Skeggs, Steve Wuest and Liam McMahon.
Kraemer credited the team's female players with much of the team's success. "The girls on our team were incredible on both sides of the ball," he said. "They made plays when the game was on the line and they're the reason we won it all."
Leeroy Jenkins also picked up a championship in men's dodgeball, this time as the #6 seed. They pulled off three consecutive upsets to take home the title, beating #3 DJ's in da deli, #2 2nd Amendment, and #4 Avoid the Noid in the championship. This was the second consecutive dodgeball title for Leeroy Jenkins.
The co-ed dodgeball division had a repeat champion as well. A team comprised of all sophomores, The Dutchies went 7-0 during regular season play and earned the #1 seed and a first-round bye. They defeated #5 Blue Balls to move on to the championship, where they beat #6 Dodge a Piece for the title. Last year, as The Cobras, the team won after a 6-2 season.
Several key offseason additions made a championship-caliber team even better, with a boatload of new players joining the cause. Brian Reitz, Nick Moskos, Ashley Proietti, Nicole Follansbee, Adrienne LaLiberty and Kahlee Sheehan joined captain Jon Keltai and returners Dana Vitarelli and Matt See.
The Dutchies played their own exciting style of dodgeball, but some didn't see it that way. "Some refs described us as annoying," said Keltai, "But we like to consider it confidence."
With two championships in just two years at SUNY Geneseo, The Dutchies have a legitimate chance at becoming three-time co-ed dodgeball champions next year. Keltai doesn't see any reason why not. "We're confident of a three-peat performance, barring any offseason injuries. We're pretty unstoppable."