13 Quidditch. Webster’s team has two captains. Davis joined as a way to stay active after playing football in high school. The other captain, junior Sarah Gruett, was a Harry Potter fanatic and joined out of her love of the books. And they do more than just play; the team holds an annual “Yule Ball” and Harry Potter trivia night, in addition to practicing multiple times per week and participating in weight training. For Davis and the rest of the team, the extra work has translated into better results on the field. On Sept. 27, the team won their first trophy as they triumphed in the Illinois College Tournament, in which they had competed in previous years. On Nov. 8 they won another tournament, the “unofficial regional tournament” according to Davis. They’ve had the largest and most consistent turnout in the club’s history since its initial founding in 2009, averaging between 20-25 players throughout the season. The hard surface of the roller derby rink didn’t deter the squad, even though they picked up some cuts and bruises from playing indoors. Indeed, Gruett has an affinity for bruises which fellow team member Mellisa Bufka noted. “Her favorite color is bruise,” Bufka said. After they had finished their intra-squad entertainment, kids from the crowd approached the team for autographs. But the team doesn’t plan on stopping there. Later this year, the Quidditch team will attend the pinnacle of “Qudditchdom” in the country at the Qudditch World Cup in Rock Hill, South Carolina, sponsored by United States Quidditch. The best college teams in the country travel to this competition to determine a national champion. Although they can’t currently play due to membership fees, both Gruett and Davis agree that certification is a goal for the Quiddtich team. Whether that happens in 10 years or 10 months, one of Webster’s oddest communities is unlikely to go away any time soon. Despite its initial weirdness, there seems to be a bit of magic about this niche group, and they might take flight sooner, rather than later. Story by Dane Watkins Photo by Lily Voss

Quidditch 2

Download PDF Report

Upload
dane
View
68
Download
3

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

A look at the Webster University Quidditch team.

Citation preview

13

Quidditch. Websters team has two captains. Davis joined as a way to stay active after playing football in high school. The other captain, junior Sarah Gruett, was a Harry Potter fanatic and joined out of her love of the books. And they do more than just play; the team holds an annual Yule Ball and Harry Potter trivia night, in addition to practicing multiple times per week and participating in weight training.

For Davis and the rest of the team, the extra work has translated into better results on the field.

On Sept. 27, the team won their first trophy as they triumphed in the Illinois College Tournament, in which they had competed in previous years. On Nov. 8 they won another tournament,

the unofficial regional tournament according to Davis. Theyve had the largest and most consistent turnout in the clubs history since its initial founding in 2009, averaging between 20-25 players throughout the season.

The hard surface of the roller derby rink didnt deter the squad, even though they picked up some cuts and bruises from playing indoors. Indeed, Gruett has an affinity for bruises which fellow team member Mellisa Bufka noted.

Her favorite color is bruise, Bufka said.

After they had finished their intra-squad entertainment, kids from the crowd approached the team for autographs. But the team doesnt plan on stopping there.

Later this year, the Quidditch team will attend the pinnacle of Qudditchdom in the country at the Qudditch World Cup in Rock Hill, South Carolina, sponsored by United States Quidditch. The best college teams in the country travel to this competition to determine a national champion. Although they cant currently play due to membership fees, both Gruett and Davis agree that certification is a goal for the Quiddtich team.

Whether that happens in 10 years or 10 months, one of Websters oddest communities is unlikely to go away any time soon. Despite its initial weirdness, there seems to be a bit of magic about this niche group, and they might take flight sooner, rather than later.

Story by Dane WatkinsPhoto by Lily Voss