Last modified Wed., June 11, 2008 - 05:43 PM
Originally created Thursday, June 12, 2008

Teams battle to a tie at MWR Command Sports Challenge

By Clark Pierce, Editor

Dodgeballers from VR-58 (yellow) and VP-5 (blue) grab their "orbical weapons" to begin game three of their match. Photo by Clark Pierce.

The NAS Jax Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department (MWR) hosted the 2008 Command Sports Challenge June 5-6, bringing out record numbers of participants for some "friendly" competition. The final points tally was a photo finish - with NAS Jax and Naval Computer Telecommunications Station (NCTS) both finishing with 1150 points.

More than 350 Sailors from 12 commands battled it out to see who would replace the 2007 champion, Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) Jax.

"We hold this event to bring our commands together for some healthy competition that gets people out of their workspaces to participate in enjoyable sports activities," explained NAS Jax Fitness Director Tim McKinney.

(From left) HM2 Brian Tremain of HSM-70 and AW2 Patrick Troccoli of VP-5 go wheel-to-wheel in the "auto race" event. Photo courtesy of MWR.

"VP-5 is one of the pioneers of the Command Sports Challenge. They brought it to our attention that we should be holding events like this on base to get people out to try some different sports. It's a two-day fun event and everything is free," said NAS Jax Sports Coordinator Bill Bonser.

Venues were set up around the base with MWR representatives officiating the competitions and recording points to determine who would take home the 2008 Command Sports Challenge trophy.

Canoes away! The CO Challenge Canoe Race competitors test their communications skills as two blindfolded paddlers are directed through the course by a sighted teammate. Photo courtesy of MWR.

The competition kicked off Thursday with a 1,500-meter relay at the base track. Other events included 3-on-3 basketball, one-pitch softball and dodge ball.

The VP-5 "Mad Foxes" fell to the VR-58 "Sunseekers" in an intense dodge ball match. "We knew the Mad Foxes would be tough," said exhausted-but-elated AO2 Michael McCoy. "They had us down to one player - but he caught two balls to bring back two teammates - and from there, we closed the deal to move on to the next round."

Friday events included 3-on-3 sand volleyball, washers, tug of war, pool relay and the ever-popular CO Challenge Canoe Race.

Cpl. Eric Tipton from Bravo Company Marines said, "This was an awesome team building event.This is the first year we participated and we will be in this event from here on out - Semper fi."

NAS Jax Commanding Officer Captain Jack Scorby, Jr., said, "This was a great opportunity to work together as a team in an athletic competition and build camaraderie. Winning is nice, too."

For more information on the upcoming schedule for the next Command Sports Challenge, contact Tim McKinney at 542-3239.

The Southeast Regional Calibration Center team struggles on their end of the rope during tug of war. Photo by QM2 Nicole Soto.

NAS Jax plays the Marines B-1 team during the sand volleyball competition. Photo by QM2 Nicole Soto.