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Enduring Warrior Dash Central Florida

Joe Cutler — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:45:18 +0000

As a young boy your mother expects you to play in the dirt, get muddy, ruin clothes and destroy shoes. Somewhere along the line you get older, take down the “no girls allowed” sign in front of the tree house, and eventually trade in the tree house for a real house in an effort to mature and move forward. No one expects that at age 25 you’d still be playing in the mud. Then again with an event like Warrior Dash, where you’re encouraged to throw on a pair of Superman briefs, a makeshift cape, crawl, swim, and jump through mud, on top of cars, under barbed wire and over fire, how could you resist?

I had the opportunity to partake in Warrior Dash Central Florida 2012. My friend and I showed up an hour before our start time so that we could grab our registration packets: a horned warrior helmet, athletic Warrior Dash t-shirt, bib and timing chip.

There were around 500 people in our 11:00 a.m. wave, and we started off with a light jog for 100 yards. The first obstacle was getting through the thickest, heaviest, black muck I’d ever encountered. It was military grade mud, if such exists. Overzealous participants had to look for help getting out after sinking knee deep. The wave had thinned. Now weighting about 20 pounds more than when I started, I jogged to the next obstacle – a barricade breakdown where we had to lift ourselves over a bar and immediately under barbed wire several times. Remember, my hands and shoes are caked with mud.

Just past the barbed wire, we got our balance and walked up and over a six inch wide ramp. After a short jog, we jumped and crawled over a 50 yard stretch of tires and junk cars. Past the last car I could see the climbing wall. Not too difficult to pull myself up with the rope, slide over and crawl down. I’m feeling good at this point.

Immediately after the wall there was a deep pool of what appeared to be clean water. I was relieved. The sign said, “Deep Water.” I’m good, I can swim. Easy part, right? Splash! The sign should have read, “Freezing Deep Water.” My body was stunned; it was pretty difficult to swim and pull myself up, and over, the floating barriers in my path. Once out of the water, we had a half mile jog through sand lined with motivational signs saying things like “Don’t worry, we didn’t train for this either,” and “Don’t let Dale from Accounting beat you.”

The next obstacle was a large manmade sand dune we had to climb up and over. Simple enough I thought, but stationed on the back side of the dune was an airboat blowing water directly into my face. A nice breeze in the middle of Warrior Dash? Not exactly. Next up was elevated cargo nets we had to crawl across. I was careful not to slip for fear I wouldn’t be able to get back upright in a timely manner.

At this point we had a mile to go. After a quarter mile run through sand, the next obstacle was a 50 yard trek through a waist deep section of mud. Done. My legs are good and tired as I approach the next obstacle of army crawling under ropes hanging less than a foot off the ground. My whole body was feeling the burn, literally, as I attempted to leap over rows of thigh high flames. Yes flames, as in real fire. I remember thinking, “This can’t be safe,” but I’d made it to the final obstacle. Or did I? After clearing the last smoky pile, I turned towards the finish line and saw a murky, muddy trench with barbed wire strung across, close to 20 yards long. Back to crawling and swallowing gritty, sandy, smelly clay water. I was ready Warrior Dash to be over. After sprinting through the finish line, I was thrilled to receive my medal and a fresh drink of water.

Repeat! Yes, I had so much fun the first time, I ran Warrior Dash again that same day.

After the race, my friend and I walked around, turned in our timing chips, watched a concert for a little while, and soon noticed that the race crowd had grown into a huge outdoor party. Surprisingly, everyone was outgoing and friendly; the post race camaraderie was like nothing I’ve been involved with before. You can expect to see me at Warrior Dash Central Florida 2013!

Polk County’s Bar-B-Que Festival Season is Underway

Jessica Roberts — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:52:18 +0000

Polk County residents – and visitors alike – are fortunate to have the 2012 barbeque festival season looming on the horizon. Celebrate mouthwatering barbeque with the return of annual sanctioned competitions such as the Lakeland PigFest, Smoke on the Water, and Ribs on the Ridge. And this year, a new entrant joins the field… the Southern Smokers BBQ Competition. All four events offer live entertainment and FREE admission. Come hungry, as many competing teams will be selling their savory fare for the public to enjoy.

The Southern Smokers BBQ Competition took place last Saturday, and the inaugural event was a success. Sanctioned by the Florida BBQ Association, over 25 teams competed in the event.

This weekend, Friday, January 27th and Saturday, January 28th, Lakeland PigFest will celebrate its 16th year at the Tiger Town Sports Complex. Lakeland PigFest is the is the area’s largest barbeque competition. It is a Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned event and the KCBS is the largest international organization of barbeque enthusiasts. Each year PigFest welcomes close to 200 teams to compete in the Pro Division, BackYard Division and the Kid’s Q competition and proceeds benefit Lakeland-area charities.

The 8th Annual Budweiser Smoke on the Water BBQ Competition returns to Winter Haven on Saturday, February 4th as the 2012 Florida BBQ Association State Championship. Funds raised benefit the Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs of Winter Haven, Lake Wales and Haines City. More than 80 teams from across the country will compete for the Florida State Grand Champion title. Unique entertainment includes a Cypress Water Sports Ski Show on beautiful Lake Cannon.

The 4th Annual Ribs on the Ridge takes place at Lake Eva Park in Haines City on Friday, February 24th and Saturday, February 25th. This growing event has been the Florida BBQ Association’s largest competition for the past two years; with approximately 100 teams competing. Don’t miss performances by The Pork Chop Review featuring “Oink” the singing pig!

In October 2012, the festivals start over again with the Florida BBQ Association sanctioned Fine Swine at the Pit in Mulberry offering up more delicious barbeque to please your palette. Visit www.fineswine.org.

Polk County offers numerous barbeque restaurants so you won’t have to suffer withdrawal in the off-season. Historic eateries include Peebles Bar-B-Q, a Central Florida landmark that has been serving up barbeque for more than 55 years, and Jimbo’s Pit Bar B-Q, a Lakeland tradition since 1964. Brock’s Smoke Hut in Winter Haven was recognized in 2011 by National Barbecue News as one of the “Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurant’s in America.” Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q and Woody’s Bar-B-Q are familiar names with locations all around Polk County. This list hardly scratches the surface. For a comprehensive listing of restaurants in Polk County, go to www.VisitCentralFlorida.org.

Register now for the North Ridge Bridge 5K, Warrior Dash and Ironman 70.3!

Rebecca Thompson — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:02:45 +0000

2012 is bringing three big events to Polk County. Stay in shape this new year and test your limits with the North Ridge Bridge Run 5K Race, 2012 Warrior Dash and Ironman 70.3. Registration is now open for all three events.

North Ridge Bridge Run 5K Race

What: Join the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, the City Center Community Development District and the North Ridge Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board for the Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting of Ernie Caldwell Boulevard.

When: Saturday, January 7, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

-The Inaugural North Ridge Bridge Run 5k Race begins at 8:30 a.m.
-Dedication of Ernie Caldwell Boulevard and Ribbon Cutting will be held at 9:30 a.m.
-Antique Car Parade begins at 10:00 a.m.
-Displays and Activities until 12:00 p.m.

Where: The event will take place at Posner Park in Davenport. Turn at Posner Boulevard entrance and follow signs to parking on Royals Way.

Registration Information:
Register online at www.imathlete.com or by mail. Online registration closes at 11:59 on January 2.

You can print the registration form here.

2012 Warrior Dash- Central Florida

What: This fierce running series is held on the most challenging and rugged terrain across the globe. Warriors conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits and celebrate with music and warrior helmets. This is the wildest, muddiest, most fiery 5k run you will ever have the opportunity to participate in. With 12 seriously challenging obstacles ranging from mud-pits, to climbing walls, tight-rope walks and fire pits, finishing competitors are deserving of the title Warrior! Every participant will go home with a Warrior helmet, Warrior Dash t-shirt and custom Warrior Dash medal.

When: Saturday, January 21-Sunday, January 22 at

Where: Triple Canopy Ranch, Lake Wales

Registration Information:
Register online at Warrior Dash. Registration will close January 9, 2012 at 11:59p.m. Central.

Ironman 70.3 Florida

What: Ironman 70.3 Florida has moved to a new location for 2012 at Lake Eva Park near Haines City and features an exciting new course.

Just 30 minutes outside of Orlando, Lake Eva Park provides a great setting for the event. The one-loop swim starts and finishes on a white sand beach. The transition area will be set up in a large parking lot on the site. The one-loop bike route goes through Polk County and offers athletes the chance to enjoy views of citrus groves and cattle farms as they ride along the quiet country roads, while the run course includes three loops around Lake Eva and finishes in a grassy park near the lake.

When: Saturday, May 19-Sunday, May 20

Where: Haines City, Lake Eva Park

Registration Information:
Register online at ironmanhainescity.com.

General Entry: Open through January 10- $225

January 11-April 4- $250

April 5- through close- $275

Relay Entry: Open through January 10- $300

January 11-April 4- $350

April 5 through close- $375

For more information on these three events, please visit: centralfloridasports.com

This Week in Sports

admin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:19:30 +0000

Florida State Pepsi Youth Bowling Tournament

Dates: 3/26-3/27, 4/2–4/3, 4/9-4/10 & 4/16-4/17
Venue: Cypress Lanes – Winter Haven

This 4-weekend event will bring in over 2,000 youth bowlers and their families from across the state of Florida to Polk County. For more information please visit www.centralfloridasports.com or www.fsusbcy.com/Pepsi-Tournament.html

Sun n Fun International Fly-In & Expo – Sun ‘n Fun, Inc. – Aviation

Dates: 3/29 – 4/3
Venue: Lakeland Linder Regional Airport – Lakeland

The Sun ‘n Fun Fly In will bring in people from around the world for one of the world’s largest Air shows truly making this an international event. Plan to join as this year the event will showcase the popular Blue Angles Precision Jet Demonstration Team! For more information on this event please visit www.sun-n-fun.org

Patrick Patriots Twirling Corps – Florida State Solo Championships

Dates: 4/2 – 4/3
Venue: Polk State College – Winter Haven

Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) President’s Cup

Dates: 4/2 – 4/3
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
This FYSA event will host 64 youth soccer teams and bring in over 1,000 participants and 4,000 spectators to Polk County. For more information please check out www.centralfloridasports.com or log on to www.fysa.com

Florida Half Century 60+ Softball Tournament

Dates: 4/2 – 4/3
Venue: Auburndale Softball Complex – Auburndale

This Florida Half Century will bring in over 50 senior softball teams from across Florida to Polk County. For more information please visit www.centralfloridasports.com or www.fhcsoftball.org

College Spring Training in Central Florida: RussMatt

admin — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:35:09 +0000

Central Florida Collegiate Baseball Invitational- RussMatt Baseball – Game Schedule for March 17

RussMatt Baseball is hosting the Central Florida Collegiate Invitational for the third straight year in Polk County. More than 200 collegiate teams will train and play games over the course of six weeks. Teams from all collegiate levels (NCAA Division I, II & III, NAIA, Junior Colleges) including Illinois State, Bowling Green, Yale, and Army are participating this year. The entire schedule can be found here 2011 RussMatt Polk County Schedule

Field codes: COLS=Chain of Lakes Stadium, COL#=Chain of Lakes Park Field #, LM#=Lake Myrtle Park Field #, Southeastern University=SEU, Warner University=WU, Henley Field=HF, Lake Bonny Park Field#=LBP#, Polk State College=PSC, Lake Region HS=LRHS, Winter Haven HS=WHHS, Webber International University=WIU, Tenoroc HS=THC, Kathleen HS=KHS and Jenkins HS=JHS

Field	Time	Thursday, March 17		# of games
		Away Team	Home Team
COL#2	9:00A	Suffolk (MA)	Curry (MA)	1
COL#1	9:30A	Amherst (MA)	Oneonta State (NY)	1
COL#5	9:30A	Framingham State (MA)	Endicott (MA)	2
COL#4	10:00A	Gallaudet (DC)	Sewanee (TN)	1
COLS	11:00A	North Dakota State	Bradley (IL)	1
COL#3	11:00A	Mt. Marty (ND) JV	Brookdale (NJ)	1
COL#1	1:00P	Keystone (PA)	Anderson (IN)	1
COL#2	1:30P	Loras (IA)	McDaniel (MD)	2
COL#3	1:30P	Freed Hardeman (TN)	Mt. Marty (SD)	2
COL#4	1:30P	Ramapo (NJ)	Rhode Island College	2
COLS	3:00P	L.I.U. (NY)	Butler (IN)	1
COL#5	3:30P	Brookdale (NJ)	Genesee CC (NY)	1
COL#1	4:30P	Keystone (PA) JV	Anderson (IN) JV	1
LM#3	8:30A	Vassar (NY)	Brockport (NY)	1
LMMain	9:00A	Fitchburg State (MA)	St. Joe’s (ME)	1
LM#1	9:00A	Dickinson (PA)	Gordon (MA)	2
LM#4	9:00A	Westfield State (MA)	UMass-Boston	2
LM#2	9:30A	Lawrence (WI)	Washington (MD)	1
LM#3	12:00N	Spaulding (KY)	Transylvania (KY)	1
LMMain	12:30P	Stevens Tech (NJ)	Cortland State (NY)	1
LM#2	1:00P	Edgewood (WI) JV	Lawrence (WI) JV	1
LM#1	3:00P	Worcester State (MA)	Roger Williams (RI)	2
LM#4	3:00P	Ripon (WI)	Greenville (IL)	2
LM#2	4:00P	Edgewood (WI)	St. Norbert (WI)	1
LM#3	4:00P	Keene State (NH)	Salem State (MA)	1
LMMain	4:30P	FDU Madison (NJ)	Rowan (NJ)	1
SEU	12:30P	Franklin & Marshall (PA)	Hamilton (NY)	2
HF	11:30A	Bucknell (PA)	Indiana	1
WIU	2:00P	Dartmouth (NH)	Akron (OH)	1
LBP#2	5:00P	St. Lawrence (QUE)	Wisconsin Whitewater JV	1

Polk Outpost 27 Hosts Spring Training Day with the Detroit Tigers!

admin — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:25:00 +0000

On Saturday, February 19, Polk County’s official visitor information center, Polk Outpost 27, will celebrate the game of baseball with its 4^th Annual Spring Training Day. The Detroit Tigers, who are celebrating their 75^th Spring training season in Polk County, will join the Spring Training celebration with a display at Polk Outpost 27 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. with giveaways, a sports themed bounce house for kids, baseball movies, free popcorn and an appearance by the Lakeland Flying Tigers mascot, Ace, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visitors to the event will also be able to register for two grand prize drawings: one will be for four tickets to see the Tigers play the Toronto Blue Jays on February 27 at Joker Marchant Stadium and the other will be a game-used Tigers jersey. Visitors who bring canned goods for local food banks will also be entered into a drawing for a $50 VISA gift card.

Baseball fans that can’t get enough of the national pastime on February 19 can experience baseball themed exhibits and memorabilia from February 13-20 at Polk Outpost 27. While at Polk Outpost 27, visitors will also be able to get all the latest information on the 2011 Spring Training season including schedules, Spring Training guides and other baseball information including complete schedules for the Central Florida Collegiate Invitational that features more than 200 college baseball teams competing in Polk County throughout the month of March.

All of the events and displays are free of charge and will be open to the public during normal hours. Polk Outpost 27 is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is located on Highway 27 a half-mile South of I-4 at Exit 55. For more information call Polk Outpost 27 at 863-420-2586.

RussMatt Schedule, Final Week, March 26- April 2

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:36:51 +0000

Russmatt Baseball 2010 Central Florida Invitational brings you teams from all over the country, representing NCAA Division I, II & III, NAIA, Junior Colleges and High Schools.

RussMatt games will be played at a variety of facilities in Central Florida. Chain of Lakes (COL) Park in Winter Haven (former spring training site of the Cleveland Indians), Lake Myrtle Sports Park (LM), FL. Henley Field (former Tigers major league spring training stadium), Polk Community College, Southeastern University, Webber International University, Warner University, Pat Thomas Stadium and some of the area’s top high school fields.

		Saturday, March 27
Field	TIme	Away Team	Home Team	#
LM #3	10:00A	Colby (ME)	St. Olaf (MN)	1
LM #1	11:00A	CCRI (RI)	Morton (IL)	1
LM #2	11:00A	Madison Area Tech (WI)	Lakeland CC (OH)	1
LM #4	12:00N	St. Thomas (MN)	Chicago (IL)	2
LM #2	1:30P	Prairie State (IL)	Madison Area Tech (WI)	1
LM #3	1:30P	Union (NY)	Trinity (CT)	2
LM #2	4:00P	Lakeland CC (OH)	Prairie State (IL)	1
		Sunday, March 28
Field	Time	Away Team	Home Team	#
LM #1	9:30A	Madison Area Tech (WI)	Lakeland CC (OH)	2
		Monday, March 29
Field	Tim	Away Team	Home Team	#
LM #2	11:00A	Edgewood (WI)	St. Thomas (MN)	1
LM #4	11:00A	St. Olaf (MN)	Grinnell (IA)	1
LM #2	2:30P	St. Thomas JV (MN)	Madison Area Tech (WI)	1
		Tuesday, March 30
Field	Time	Away Team	Home Team	#
COL Stadium	12:00N	Grove City HS (OH)	Shaker Heights HS (OH)	2
LM #1	10:00A	Madison Area Tech (WI)	Edgewood JV (WI)	1
LM #3	12:00N	St. Thomas (MN)	SUNY Purchase (NY)	1
LM #1	1:30P	St. Olaf (MN)	Edgewood (WI)	1
		Wednesday, March 31
Field	Time	Away Team	Home Team	#
LM #2	11:00A	SUNY Purchase (NY)	St. Olaf (MN)	1
LM #4	11:00A	St. Thomas (MN)	Edgewood (WI)	1
LM #4	2:30P	Edgewood JV (WI)	St. Thomas JV (MN)	1
		Thursday, April 1
Field	Time	Away Team	Home Team	#
LM #1	11:00A	SUNY Purchase (NY)	St. Thomas (MN)	1
LM #3	12:00N	Edgewood (WI)	SUNY Purchase (NY)	1
		Friday, April 2
Field	Time	Away Team	Home Team	#
LM #4	12:00N	SUNY Purchase (NY)	Edgewood (WI)	1

RussMatt Schedule for Thursday, March 25

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:55:45 +0000

Russmatt Baseball 2010 Central Florida Invitational brings you teams from all over the country, representing NCAA Division I, II & III, NAIA, Junior Colleges and High Schools.

		Thursday, March 25
Field	Time	Away Team	Home Team	#
COL Stadium	1:00P	Trinity (CT)	Colby (ME)	1
COL #1	1:00P	Plymouth State (NH)	Bowdoin (ME)	2
COL #2	1:30P	Morton (IL)	Madison Area Tech (WI)	2
LM #4	9:00A	Washington & Jefferson (PA)	Hope (MI)	1
LM #1	9:30A	Allegheny (PA)	Wisconsin Stevens Point	1
LM #2	9:30A	Lawrence JV (WI)	Wisconsin Whitewater JV	1
LM #2	12:00N	Wisconsin Whitewater	Otterbein (OH)	1
LM #3	12:00N	CCRI (RI)	Prairie State (IL)	1
LM #1	1:00P	Wisconsin Stevens Point	Lawrence (WI)	1
LM #4	1:00P	Allegheny JV (PA)	Washington & Jefferson JV (PA)	1
LM #3	2:30P	St. Lawrence (Que)	CCRI (RI)	1
Webber Intl.	1:00P	Ohio State	Webber International	1

RussMatt Schedule for Wednesday, March 24

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:16:45 +0000

Russmatt Baseball 2010 Central Florida Invitational brings you teams from all over the country, representing NCAA Division I, II & III, NAIA, Junior Colleges and High Schools.

		Wednesday, March 24
Field	Time	Away Team	Home Team	#
COL Stadium	11:00A	Illinois	Dartmouth (NH)	1
LM #2	10:00A	Hamilton (NY)	North Central (IL)	1
LM #3	10:30A	Bowdoin (ME)	Wisconsin Whitewater	1
LM #4	10:30A	Union (NY)	Allegheny (PA)	1
LM #1	12:00N	Luther (IA)	Hope (MI)	2
LM #2	1:30P	Otterbein (OH)	Wisconsin Stevens Point	2
LM #3	2:00P	Elgin CC (IL)	Wisconsin Whitewater JV	1
LM #4	2:00P	Kalamazoo JV (MI)	Allegheny JV	1
LM #3	4:30P	Kalamazoo JV (MI)	Elgin CC (IL)	1
LM Main	6:00P	South Florida	Ohio State	1

RussMatt Schedule for Tuesday, March 23

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:39:33 +0000

Russmatt Baseball 2010 Central Florida Invitational brings you teams from all over the country, representing NCAA Division I, II & III, NAIA, Junior Colleges and High Schools.

		Tuesday, March 23
Field	Time	Away Team	Home Team	#
COL Stadium	10:00A	Dartmouth (NH)	Ohio State	1
COL #2	11:30A	Lawrence (WI)	Washington & Jefferson (PA)	1
COL#1	12:00N	Wisconsin Stout	Hamilton (NY)	2
COL Stadium	1:30P	Northwestern (IL)	Dartmouth (NH)	1
COL #2	3:00P	St. Lawrence (Que)	Lawrence JV (WI)	1
COL Stadium	5:00P	Southeastern University (FL)	Illinois	1
LM #2	11:00A	Academie Baseball Canada	Elgin CC (IL)	2
LM #4	11:00A	North Central JV (IL)	Prairie State (IL)	1
LM #1	12:00N	Kalamazoo (MI)	Colby (ME)	2
LM #3	12:00N	Hope (MI)	Otterbein (OH)	2
LM #4	2:00P	D’Youville (NY)	Union (NY)	1