Going into Tuesday night’s water pong tournament, no one expected a pair of baby-faced freshman to capture first place. Sam Nylund and Kellen Gonzales drained the last cup to win the tournament. The champions climbed the double-elimination bracket undefeated to the final round, then nearly fell to Gabe Spallone and Tanner Asuncion. Nylund and Gonzales overcame a four-cup deficit, then squeaked out a victory as the game tied with four, three, two and one cups remaining. “We just got confident,” Nylund said. “We knew deep down that we needed this win.” “We just relaxed and had fun, took it like any other game,” Gonzales added. The tournament was hosted by the Ho’olokahi Polynesian Club and Native American Student Council. The $10 entry fee was split between the two clubs. It will be used to fund events later in the year. The clubs decided that a non-alcoholic version of the popular party game, in which contestants face off across table and attempt to throw ping pong balls into their opponents’ cups, would draw in enough students to turn a profit. “I figured a lot of people would actually come,” President of the Ho’olokahi Club Brittney Maglangit said. “A lot of people play pong at parties, so it seemed like a good fundraiser.” The event was postponed by half an hour to allow for late registration, but the bracket was eventually filled out with 13 teams. The first and second place teams came away with prizes for their effort. First place won a pong table, and second place was awarded with CMU sweatshirts. Competition was stiff, but some serious contenders were left in the dust. Before the contest began, Jason Zimmerman and Chad McCormick claimed an 86-1 record in pong since classes began this fall. The confident duo was one of the first teams eliminated, marring their record with two more losses.

crclark2@mavs.coloradomesa.edu