By Maegan White
Elm Staff Writer
Washington College Campus Recreation began hosting the intramural (IM) flag football season, in which varsity athletic teams, Greek life, residential halls, and friend groups all create teams to compete for the coveted IM championship title and shirt.
On Monday through Thursday nights, teams gathered on Kibler Field to play flag football. The teams are composed of all types of skill levels and groups.
The purpose of IM is for students to get out, be active, and have fun, friendly competition.
IM has become such a prevalent part of student life that some Greek life organizations created positions to coordinate IM teams for their organizations. Sorority Zeta Tau Alpha created an Intramural Chair position in their organization’s Program Council.
IM Chair and Captain of ZTA and Associates sophomore Kaitlin Osucha said that her job is to inform her chapter about what IM sports are happening and help create and lead the team.
Despite having lost all of their games this season, Osucha said that herteam is having fun, enjoying getting to spend time with each other and learning about the sport.
“A lot of us didn’t know how to play flag football including myself so I think we are definitely improving and having a lot of fun playing and learning,” Osucha said. “I really have enjoyed just having fun on the field.”
Phi Delta Theta, with members of the volleyball and swim teams, also created a team. Coach of the undefeated Cecil Peaches senior Omari Watkins came to the games every week with his headset and gave his team a motivational speech before every game.
Watkins’ motivation for coaching promotes the values and mission of IM.
“[My] goals for the Cecil Peaches is to promote friendship and [have] fun during competition,” Watkins said. “Our goal is to win throughout the season but as long as everyone is playing and having fun that is our true goal.”
Even varsity sports teams have gotten involved in IM sports. This season, the women’s and men’s rowing teams formed the River Rats.
“I made the River Rats team as a way for the women’s rowing team and men’s rowing team to come together and hopefully grow closer within our rowing community,” said River Rats captain senior Mackenzie Westfield. “We both share a communal space and that partnership and bond is extremely important for the overall environment at the boathouse.”
ShoreFit captain junior Dori McMenamin said that her club competed in every IM sport this year.
“This is ShoreFit’s third IM sport this semester,” McMenamin said. “We decided to become a part of IM sports as a way to build a team bond in our club through actually becoming a sports team. At ShoreFit, our goal is to be a family and this gives yet another opportunity for us to be inclusive and have fun together.”
According to Coordinator of Campus Recreation Evan Clayton, the IM Flag Football final game will be played on Thursday, Dec. 1.
After the champion is named for football, he will be coordinating different IM day tournaments including cornhole and volleyball. Campus Recreation will also be bringing back the ice bowl soccer tournament on Reading Day on Friday, Dec. 9.
Other IM sports, including basketball, badminton, futsal, floor hockey, and ultimate frisbee will take place in the spring semester. Any student can create a team.
For those who are interested or have questions, email Clayton at eclayton2@washcoll.edu.
Photo by Mia Snyder
Photo Caption: Teams prepare to compete in the flag football final game on Thursday, Dec. 9.