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Highlands Today

It's Fun And Games At SFCC Community College Week

Marc Valero, Highlands Today

From left: South Florida Community College students Freddy Payan and Sam Wirick-Velez compete in the sumo ring Tuesday in the Panther Gym. Sumo wrestling is one of the many activities being held at SFCC during Community College Week.

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: March 18, 2009

Updated:

AVON PARK - When it's time to pony up, throw your weight around and climb the walls, it must be Community College Week at South Florida Community College.

It's like a fun Olympics complete with opening ceremony and lighting of the torch, but natural athletic talent and years of dedicated practices are not necessary for these games.

You just need to be an SFCC student or faculty member and ready for some fun.

After the opening ceremonies things got off to a fast start with the pony races late Monday morning. No real ponies, just the old toy pony head on a stick.

"It was weird, but a lot of fun," student Freddy Payne said of the pony races.

After trotting with a stick pony, Payne needed a different set of skills and strategies for Tuesday's sumo wrestling.

"Just trying to push the person out," he said.

With the help of at least two teammates, the wrestlers slid into the padded sumo suits while lying on the ground. Wearing the weighty suits, the participants needed help standing up.

Then in quick fashion it was the best of two out of three attempts to fell the opponent or knock them out of the circle.

The Super Trike (tricycle relay) Racing was funny and enjoyable, student Jose Colon said.

A dodge ball tournament was held Tuesday afternoon.

Obstacle Extreme, 1 - 2 p.m., today, is the other new activity.

About 110 students are showing up for each event, said David Michener, coordinator of student activities and recruitment.

Community College Week is held before spring break to give faculty and students an opportunity to have fun together, he said. The last few years there have been record-setting numbers of participants so the event is expanding each year.

Upcoming activities include: the four-station Rock Climbing Wall (11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., today), Battle of the Brains (12:30 - 1 p.m. today), Rock Climbing Wall finals and Bungee Run (11 a.m., Thursday), pizza/drinks (12:15 - 1 p.m., Thursday), Rock 'N' Roll Jeopardy and Tug O War finale (1 p.m., Thursday), awards ceremony (2:45 - 3 p.m., Thursday).

Except for the Battle of the Brains, which will be held in Building B, the activities are scheduled to be held on the Panther Lawn (near the library/media center). But, some may be moved to the Panther Gym to avoid the heat.

Highlands Today reporter Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com

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