115 Dodgeball: 964th AACS D-Flight captures title

Published Nov. 30, 2007
By John E. Banks
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- A group of 50 players and another 50 fans from the 963rd and 964th Airborne Air Control Squadrons joined together Nov. 21 at the Gerrity Fitness Center for some "friendly" games of dodgeball.
   At the end of the day, the team from the 964th AACS D-Flight captured the championship with a 2-1 win over a spirited team from the B-Flight of the 963rd AACS.
   In each match the victor was determined by best two out of three. Teams switched sides on the court after each game.
   Eight teams of six players each were grouped into two brackets of play.
   In the first bracket, the 963rd AACS A-Flight was pitted against E-Flight from the same squadron. The athletes from A-Flight were able to strike quickly and often and disposed of their opponent quickly 2-0. This match was fast and furious and A-Flight waited in anticipation for the winner of the match between the 963rd AACS #1 team versus Team Allen of the 963rd AACS B-Flight.
   "This is a great way to get everyone working together and have a whole lot of fun," said Kevin Sanchez, coach of the 964th AACS D-Flight team.
   The next several matches on each bracket went as predicted. The teams of 963rd AACS D-Flight and Team Allen cruised through their respective brackets en route to the championship finale.
   D-Flight responded with an aggressive style and quickly dispatched their opposition within 10 minutes. This attack was led by the strong arm throwing of Robert Henson, Casey Kopec and Mike Petersen.
   In the second game, the 963rd AACS B-Flight squad rebounded behind the power throwing of Robert Montgomery. He dispatched three direct hits and ended the hopes of a clean sweep by D-Flight.
   The final game of the championship match was nip and tuck throughout with each team putting the pressure on its' opposition. Henson and Kopec led their team to victory over a valiant squad from the 963rd AACS B-Flight.
   "Our team played as a unit and we were determined to put it all together for the win. Our uniforms gave us motivation and wish to thank our teammate Brittany Flitton for designing them," said Sanchez.
   "We permitted each team to come up with their own creative uniforms and team names. These individuals did not disappoint," said Lucas McCloud, organizer of the event.
   The victorious team was able to capture the gold dodgeball and keep the bragging rights for the 964th AACS until these two squadrons square off again in dodgeball competition.