Attendees had to watch their heads at the Sam Houston Indoor Arena last Thursday, Nov. 19th, as three-inch metal washers were being hurled around with deadly accuracy by over 80 people.
As many as 41 teams of two competed in the huge washer pitching tournament, hosted by the Department of Agricultural and Industrial Sciences as a fundraiser for the Beef Cattle Show Team. It was a double-elimination event, with cash prizes up for grabs. The tournament lasted from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. due to the unexpected turnout of so many teams.
“We’ll be changing the format for next years tournament, so things will move a little more quickly,” Dr. Kyle Stutts, assistant professor of animal Science and organizer of the tournament, said.
The game of washer pitching is very similar to horseshoes. Teams of two stand 25 feet away from four-inch wide “cups” (pipes sunk into the ground), and do their best to toss their washer inside. Points are awarded for sinking the washer, and less points are given for those that don’t make it, or lean against the pipe, or are just the closest of the bunch.
After nearly four hours of washer pitching, Kevin Burke and James Bartlett emerged victorious, and claimed their $100 prize.
Right behind them in second place were Reid Wendell and Zach McDonald, earning $60 for their ability. These four guys have something else in common besides skill with washers, they are roommates.
“Reid and Zach said they always win when they play in their backyard,” Stutts said, “But Kevin and James beat them when it counts.”
In the individual part of the competition Katie Blaylock won first place, and Reyse Jatzlau came in second.
“The whole event went really well, and I think we’re going to keep doing the tournament every semester,” Stutts said.
Another upcoming event in the Agriculture Department is the Annual Chili Cook-off, hosted by the SHSU Block and Bridle Club.
The competition will be the last event of the semester for the Agricultural Department, and will be held on Dec. 10 at 5:00 p.m. at the Indoor Arena, same as the washer pitching tournament.
The event is open to all students and faculty, and to attend, $5 will be charged at the door, which covers samples of every team’s chili entries.
Costs to register a team will be $50, and each additional chili entry will be $10. A maximum of eight people can be on a team, and their cover charge is included in the $50 entry fee.
The deadline for registration is Wednesday, Dec. 9.
For more information about the upcoming Chili Cook-off, or any other Agricultural Department events, please contact Dr. Stutts at 936-294-1219 or Dr. Beverly at 936-294-1222, or in Thomason Building room 307.