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Print this pageSpringfield's Winter Olympiad
Lindsay Haymes
Courtesy Missouri Winter Games
Did you ever dream of being a gold medal-winning Olympian? Or were you one of those sports fans who loved the basketball games in high school, partly for the game, but mostly because it was the social event of the week? Maybe you were a cheerleader long ago and still get a kick out of watching competitive cheerleading on TV. Maybe you and your buddies will get into a mean game of racquetball every now and then.
If you are at all into sports, or even anything resembling sports, then the Missouri Winter Games will have something for you. Going into its second year, this open-to-the-public, Olympic-style sports fest is a chance to compete with people from all around the state and Midwest in a range of activities, and even win that gold you’ve been dreaming of. No kidding.
What will your Olympic sport be? You have the option to dominate in the following events: bowling, racquetball, swimming, table tennis, wrestling and the Winter 5K Run, all of which will be open to all age groups. Paintball is limited to people 11 and older and no pros are allowed. (Sorry, ringers.) Cheerleading, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics are just for the kids. But within the age brackets, anyone can vie for a gold medal.
Deadlines are approaching to enter in the competition, which number 11 sports in all. Here’s your timeline: paintball and racquetball registrations are due Feb. 23. Swimming, table tennis, wrestling and volleyball registrations are all due Feb. 28, and bowling registration forms are due March 1. You can register for the 5K run online or on race day, March 3. Basketball and cheerleading, which will be held February 10-11, have already closed nominations.
Need a warm fuzzy? Volunteers are still needed to make sure the various competitions go off without a hitch. You can register at mowintergames.org under the “Volunteer” tab. You can call Jeff Collins, Executive Director of the games, at 417-759-9100 for more information.
The first weekend of Missouri Winter Games competition is February 10–11, which will be a great time to catch some good basketball games not featuring maroon-and-white uniforms and get your fix for competitive cheerleading (Executive Director Jeff Collins says the games are expecting high school teams from around the state). The cheerleading competition will be at the Springfield Expo Center. Guys, we suggest bringing a wife, girlfriend or gal pal so you’re not that creepy guy sitting by himself watching high school cheerleaders.
For basketball, you’ll need to keep an eye on the Missouri Winter Games website, (mowintergames.org) for specific game times, but the games will be spread across four locations, Hillcrest High School, Baptist Bible College, Central Bible College and Cherry St. Baptist Church’s family center. Again, these are youngsters playing basketball, but wouldn’t it be nice to say you saw the next LeBron James when he still didn’t have an agent?
The March activities will also offer lots of opportunities to paint your face and bust out a giant foam finger and “Bleacher Creature” t-shirt. Venues are spread around Springfield, but the Missouri Winter Games website gives all the addresses, and even has a handy map you can print out. The only event schedule to charge admission is gymnastics, $10 at the door for ages 13 and up, $5 if you bring a 12-or-under friend.
If you are at all into sports, or even anything resembling sports, then the Missouri Winter Games will have something for you. Going into its second year, this open-to-the-public, Olympic-style sports fest is a chance to compete with people from all around the state and Midwest in a range of activities, and even win that gold you’ve been dreaming of. No kidding.
What will your Olympic sport be? You have the option to dominate in the following events: bowling, racquetball, swimming, table tennis, wrestling and the Winter 5K Run, all of which will be open to all age groups. Paintball is limited to people 11 and older and no pros are allowed. (Sorry, ringers.) Cheerleading, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics are just for the kids. But within the age brackets, anyone can vie for a gold medal.
Deadlines are approaching to enter in the competition, which number 11 sports in all. Here’s your timeline: paintball and racquetball registrations are due Feb. 23. Swimming, table tennis, wrestling and volleyball registrations are all due Feb. 28, and bowling registration forms are due March 1. You can register for the 5K run online or on race day, March 3. Basketball and cheerleading, which will be held February 10-11, have already closed nominations.
Need a warm fuzzy? Volunteers are still needed to make sure the various competitions go off without a hitch. You can register at mowintergames.org under the “Volunteer” tab. You can call Jeff Collins, Executive Director of the games, at 417-759-9100 for more information.
Just Watching, Thanks
The first weekend of Missouri Winter Games competition is February 10–11, which will be a great time to catch some good basketball games not featuring maroon-and-white uniforms and get your fix for competitive cheerleading (Executive Director Jeff Collins says the games are expecting high school teams from around the state). The cheerleading competition will be at the Springfield Expo Center. Guys, we suggest bringing a wife, girlfriend or gal pal so you’re not that creepy guy sitting by himself watching high school cheerleaders.For basketball, you’ll need to keep an eye on the Missouri Winter Games website, (mowintergames.org) for specific game times, but the games will be spread across four locations, Hillcrest High School, Baptist Bible College, Central Bible College and Cherry St. Baptist Church’s family center. Again, these are youngsters playing basketball, but wouldn’t it be nice to say you saw the next LeBron James when he still didn’t have an agent?
The March activities will also offer lots of opportunities to paint your face and bust out a giant foam finger and “Bleacher Creature” t-shirt. Venues are spread around Springfield, but the Missouri Winter Games website gives all the addresses, and even has a handy map you can print out. The only event schedule to charge admission is gymnastics, $10 at the door for ages 13 and up, $5 if you bring a 12-or-under friend.
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