86th Maintenance dominates dodgeball tournament

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Trevor Rhynes
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community participated in a dodgeball tournament at the Southside Fitness Center here Nov. 30.

Team Sheet Metal, comprised of members from the 86th Maintenance Group, defeated the 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron team in the championship match. The tournament consisted of 16 single-elimination matches.

The defining moment of the championship game was when Senior Airman Joseph Follen, member of team Sheet Metal, went up against the last member of security forces.

"It was tough, I was a little nervous, my heart was beating pretty fast," Follen said. "My opponent threw first but I dodged it, and then hit him with my ball. I came out on top! After the horn blew I was buried underneath a dog pile from my team's celebration."

Most teams practiced, or at least have experience playing together, but this tournament was the first occasion where team Sheet Metal played together.

"We haven't practiced together prior to the tournament," he said. "We did very well though, everyone contributed at various points throughout the match and it led to us winning the tournament."

In addition to bragging rights from winning the tournament, members of Sheet Metal won $10 gift certificates to any 86th Force Support Squadron facility.

Overall, the tournament was viewed as a success by those who organized it.

"We think the tournament was a hit, we received comments from participants saying they wish we could do something like this every week," said Airman 1st Class Christopher Morrison, 786th FSS fitness specialist and one of two coordinators of the dodgeball tournament.

Winning a tournament isn't the only thing participants get out of an event like this, members also get some time away with fellow Airmen while competing in something they enjoy.

"During events like these we see that people are having fun, which is important because I know everyone's working and it's important for people to take a break from work," said Airman 1st Class Jalyssa Rosario, 786th FSS fitness specialist. "Members of these teams are pretty competitive, so it gives them a chance to prove who is number one."

For more information about events, call the Southside Fitness Center at DSN 480-0295, or commercial 06371-47-0295.