Saturday, Aug. 12, marked the Second Annual Stonebrook Olympic Games. This year’s Olympic field of competitors included Jesse and Tracy Smith, Cory and Kerri Speth, Travis and Lauren Tittle, Jake and Alexa Ryan, Garret and Emily Reddish, and newcomers, Brad and Kindel Haverback.
For those new to the Games, the Stonebrook Olympics are held annually, consisting of six rigorous bracketable events in which couples compete for a championship. This year’s Olympic Events consisted of Basketball Pig, Olympic Relays, Wiffle Ball, Bocce Ball, a 9-hole Golf Course, and Bags.
In the opening event, Basketball Pig, two of Northeast Goose Lake’s former finest athletes, Emily Reddish and Travis Tittle, won their divisions. However, this is a team game, and overall, last year’s champion, the Smiths, took the Gold, with the Tittle’s taking the Silver and the Ryans the Bronze.
In the Olympic Relays, teams competed in seven different Relay stations from start to finish. This was the first rigorous event of the Games, and saw the Reddishs take Gold, followed by the Ryans with the Silver and the Smiths with Bronze. The fastest time of the day was brought in by the Ryans in the semifinals, setting a course record.
Moving to Wiffle ball, the teams participated in a 1 out, 1 inning slugfest. The no-run limit game brought with it injuries, drama, and endurance. In the end, the host team Ryans brought home the Gold, followed closely by the Reddishes and the Smiths. In perhaps the most impressive performance, Garret Reddish hit home run after home run with an injured hamstring, similar to the likes of Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series.
In the fourth event of the Games, the competitors enjoyed a less rigorous event in Bocce Ball. The Reddishs picked up their second Gold medal of the day, defeating the rest of the field with perfect Pallino placement. The Smiths and the Ryans also continued their strong showings, finishing second and third respectfully.
The 9-hole golf course was the fifth event of the Games. The course, an Olympic Games favorite amongst the competitors, had a few new challenging wrinkles this year, including water hazards and a par 5. A few competitors took DNF’s from the demanding course. Travis Tittle took top individual honors, defeating Cory Speth and Garret Reddish in a three person playoff. The Gold medal for top team went to the Speth’s, putting in their most impressive event of the Games. The Reddishes finished with the Silver, and the Smiths received the Bronze.
Going into the final event of the Games, the team race was down to just two teams. Last year’s champion Smiths found themselves in second place, behind the leader Reddishes. The Game was Bags. The Reddish’s had the lead, and momentum on their side. The Smiths, arguably the top Bags couple in the Midwest, were not only the favorite for the event, but had home field advantage. The stage was set… The Smiths did what they do best, taking Gold in the Game. However, with a second place finish, The Reddishes secured the spot at the top of the leaderboard overall, taking home the 2023 Stonebrook Olympics Trophy.
Congratulations to this year’s Stonebrook Olympics champions, Garret and Emily Reddish.
On behalf of everyone on the Stonebrook Olympics committee, thank you to all the competitors of this year’s Games. The Stonebrook Olympics continue to attract the area’s top talent, requiring incredible skill, endurance, and strategy. A special shout out to the folks who provided both food and drink throughout this year’s rigorous event.
The scoreboard as well as trophy for the sporting event.