Quidditch's Cutest Couples 2013

by IQA Staff | February 14, 2013

It's February 14th, and love (or even that other dreaded q-word) is in the air! While we may not have dwarves to deliver singing valentines, the quidditch community is never silent when it comes to nominating their peers.  Without further ado, here are, in the nominators' own words, your cutest couples of 2013! (Feedback on this feature? Send it to editorial@internationalquidditch.org.)

Cutest Couple: Gilbert Botham and Dominick Frasca

Before Gilbert and Dominick started dating, I was never a believer in the "opposites attract" line of thinking when it comes to romance. At first glance you would think Gil and Dom would not be a compatible match, Gilbert is the loud and gregarious player on the team, who everyone knows and loves, while Dominick is the more quite and reserved player, comfortable with staying on the sidelines of the discussion. But you will never find a more loving couple then them, they complete each other in a way. Gil brings out a funny and witty side of Dominick few of the team have seen before they where dating, which is why we now call him the "sassy dominator." Dominick brings out Gil's caring and affectionate side, and goes out of his way to show his affection for his boobear Dom. I think Gil and Dom deserve the cutest couple award not just for being a great couple, and being undeniably cute, but also because they truly represent a quidditch couple, brought together by the love of the sport, they found each other.

CJ Yunger and Kitty Schaffernoth

...they are the cutest couple I have ever met. They've been dating for over a year now, and I honestly hope that they get married. They've become parental figures on our team, and everybody loves them. They aren't your typical mushy-gushy relationship, but show composure and a certain sweetness that I see in the way my mom and dad or older sisters and their husbands look at each other. I love them to death, and I think that they should win the IQA's Cutest Couple award.

Kody Marshall and Sarah Holub Sadly. A ship that has sailed. Story: In Spring 2011, this quidship met on the pitch. Sarah Holub played for Gryffindor, Kody Marshall for Slytherin. When seasons changed, the mood lightened in the fall semester when both Kody and Sarah made the Texas Varsity team. The program was just starting up and this pair definitely helped get the team on the right track with their mad skills. Kody, a.k.a. The Fan Favorite, is an agile and powerful chaser with a charisma that “grows on you” (according to Sarah!). Kody is a fantastic team player that you can't help but love. Sarah is the only lady deserving of such a guy. Her tenacity and light-hearted attitude on the pitch make her an essential asset. She played an integral role in Team USA's victory at the Olympic Exhibition Summer Games in 2012. She's also drop-dead gorgeous!! This quidship is overflowing in talent, charm, and of course, quadoribleness. (Yes, we made “quadoribleness” a word JUST because they're that cute.) Sarah graduated from UT in Spring 2012 and has been playing on merc teams in the southwest this semester while Kody is a starting male chaser for Texas Quidditch. The two plan to reunite on the pitch in Spring 2013 when Sarah rejoins Texas Quidditch. The lovers can't wait to don orange and play together once again, so look out for their quadorable dynamic on the pitch! Scott Rice and Carlie Jones-Hershinow We are Scott Rice and Carlie Jones-Hershinow.  Collectively, we are known as Scarlie on the Quidditch Pitch, or Carott to everyone else.  To the set the stage, we met on a brisk, rainy September day.  Enter Scott, stage left.  He takes his seat in the back, and as he looks across the room, his eyes lock with the pretty girl in the front.  Little did he know that his life would never be the same.  He had to plan it carefully if he was about to make his move.  He stood up, puffed up his chest, gathered his courage, and marched right up to the girl.  He looked her dead in the eye, and said, "Do you want to share my crayons?" This, of course, was the first day of fourth grade. We were friends after that for seven years before we started dating our Sophomore year of high school.  In September we moved from Oregon to Colorado to go to to UNC together.  Last week on the 8th we celebrated our third anniversary, and the next morning rocked it at Quidditch practice.  Did we forget to mention that three years ago he asked her out by handing her a note with page 687 from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ending with "After all this time?" "Always." Hilary Delisle and Zak Killian

This is the tale of Hilary and Zak, A Quidditch couple sprung from a best friend pact. Zak is the best chaser, seeker, and a snitch for GMC, While Hilary is Vermont's state rep and UVMQ's V.P. Hilary first laid eyes on this Mohawk-ed guy As he bolted down the field, scoring at World Cup 5. She hoped to see him again at the GMC Yule Ball #2, Their first real encounter she did pursue. Right then and there they claimed “best friend” On the dance floor that magical weekend. A year passed and their friendship grew, From ‘kidditch' to Church Street to Drag Ball too. And let's not forget the connection made at Adams' Fort From a weekend of Northeast Regionals for our beloved sport. Just weeks later was GMC Yule Ball # 3, Where Zak made his move to dance with Hilary. Once they paired up it was as if they were alone, Cliché but if felt as if they were in their own little zone. The smile on her face, the look in his eyes, That night was a turning point in both of their lives. The bold move by Hilary to capture their first kiss, Is the moment that turned their best friendship to this. Committed to the 2 hour, weekly commute, Their recent love is something no one can refute. Maryann “Delaware” Arterbridge has frequently said, “eww, you're so sappy”, so they kissed and she fled. Zak and Hilary's friends fear having them around, For when they are near, jokes and mischief are found. If they aren't wreaking havoc, they are still having fun, With ice skating, cooking, and laughing a ton. At laser tag they dominate, both with competitive fire, Yet they work great together, raising their relationship higher. He calls her his “little mathlete” since she's a senior studying math, While he finishes his junior year on the elementary education path. If after this poem you don't deem these two your winning pair, Then, I don't know what more you could want than the immense love they share. Amy Reader and Brennen Lutz Brennen Lutz and Amy Reader are the longest-tenured couple on the University of Richmond team (a team well-known for its frequent and intense intra-team 'bonding').  They've been together for a year and a half now and form a core of the Richmond squad.  United by a passion for Quidditch and each other, the two hit it off immediately and were soon an official couple.  In the most anticlimactic announcement made in Richmond Quidditch history, in October 2011 the couple told the team of their budding relationship, which of course surprised no one.  The couple is still going strong and has survived numerous concussions on both ends.  One legend of Richmond Quidditch lore reads that if the relationship were to end, UR Quidditch would fall apart team members would have to transfer to VCU. Brennen is the starting Keeper for the team, and Amy is a tournament-team Chaser (when she's not concussed). (Ed. note: Brennen is a staff writer on the IQA editorial team.) Kyle Sanson and Jenna Jankowski

I'm not gonna lie, I arrived at the Champagne Cup last summer with one thing on my mind (aside from quidditch of course): I'm gonna hook up with some quidditch chick. You see, I had been through a pretty bad breakup the week before finals, so I was a little depressed up until that point. And so, in the weeks leading up to the event, I proceeded to Facebook stalk every female attending the event, especially the ones on my team. I wasn't alone in this effort though, my friend Jeff, the host of the tournament, had continually pushed me in the direction of one girl: Jenna Jankowski. "She's in a relationship, what the hell are you doing?" I kept asking him. "Trust me, I know what I'm talking about." The night before the tournament arrived, the quidkids were all asleep in their beds at the Sherman household, and of course, Jenna Jankowski was still in a relationship on Facebook. This being the case, I kinda avoided Jenna for the majority of the next morning. Little did I know, a lot had changed in one night. Throughout the day, I'd glance over at her and, something just didn't seem right. I asked a couple of friends, and eventually squeezed the precious information out of one: Jenna was now single. Game on. Throughout the rest of the day, the awkward ritual known as "flirting" commenced, which eventually led to http://images.wikia.com/harrypotter/images/3/31/Ron_Weasley_and_Lavender_Brown_KISS2.gif. It turned out Jeff actually been pushing Jenna towards me in the weeks leading up to the tournament as well. So thanks, Jeff, I owe you one. Anyways, we both had gotten exactly what we wanted: that one rebound after a breakup that kinda cleanses your palate. But it didn't just end there (though it easily could have; I forgot to get her number and had to send a late night, apologetic Facebook message to obtain it). For weeks on end, it seemed like my phone never stopped buzzing (it still hasn't). I traveled down to the city 3 or 4 more times than I had originally planned to that summer, just to see Jenna (and of course play some pickup). By the end of the summer we were dating. Our teams happened to play in a bunch of the same tournaments the following semester, and the occasional trip down to the city/up to Rochester kept our time apart at a minimum. We really kicked distance's ass. Now I'm in the city for a semester (how lucky was it that I had applied the PREVIOUS fall semester to an internship program down here), and things are as great as ever. And that's how I met your mother. To Jenna: I love you more than anything. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day, and I'm probably sitting right next to you if/as you're reading this. Thanks for reading, Kyle Sanson (Ed. note: Jenna is Northeast Regional Director and Kyle is New York State Representative in the IQA.)

Alex Benepe and Anna Brisbin

Seriously, they are the cutest couple ever. 'nuff said. (Ed. note: Alex is the CEO and commissioner of the International Quidditch Association.) Doug Whiston and Nicole Denny

Doug Whiston and Nicole Denney are the entire reason Kansas Quidditch exists. During their freshman year, Doug was the one who stumbled upon the upcoming sport and sophomore year, Nicole, the current president, worked hard to organize a group to make the vision come alive. Back then, the two of them were only best friends. Through all the flirting, drama, distance, and Doug seemingly being hopelessly stuck in the friend zone for all eternity, everything changed senior year as the duo decided to take that next step and start dating- FINALLY! At first, they tried to hide it from the team, more for their own personal fun, if anything. They didn't shock anyone when they finally made their relationship facebook official. The team always knew there was something there. To this day, the two of them are still best friends and crazy about each other and aren't afraid to show it. They tease each other and bicker like a married couple (Doug should realize that Nicole is always right and Nicole needs to learn how to pick up on Doug's weird form of sarcasm). The two of them are constantly planning Quidditch events and coming up with new ideas for the team that has grown to be something so great. Though they've only been officially dating since September, Doug and Nicole seem to have been a perfect match since they met back in 2009. Can't wait to see what the future holds when they graduate this year and start their real lives. Nick Kubicki and Victoria Sappington

Nick Kubicki and Victoria Sappington (of Picayune, MS) are fast approaching their four year anniversary. They were already a strong couple when Nick suggested founding a Quidditch Team at the University of Southern Mississippi. Tori, who was unfamiliar with the Harry Potter books at the time, was captivated by the sport and aims to become an IQA certified referee. Nick – who shattered his collar bone playing Chaser in December – captains USM with aplomb. The Anglophile pair enjoy watching Dr. Who – and Nick's proudest possession is the 15ft Tom Baker scarf Tori knitted for him.The team has grown in number under their leadership, and the support they show to each other serves as testament to their love – on and off the pitch. Kyle Carpenter and Rebecca McLaughlin While joking together Kyle Carpenter and Rebecca McLaughlin established they must be the premier Snitching couple of the Southern Region. The pair met in August through the University of Southern Mississippi Quidditch Team – which Kyle co-captains. They have been dating since October 2012 – getting together on Rebecca's 21st Birthday. Before that Kyle initiated Snitching Practice to get to know each other. Aside from Beating, Snitching, and Keeping, the vegetarian pair enjoy playing racquetball and cycling together – and Rebecca enjoys watching Kyle cook her delicious food. Philosophy Major Kyle hails from Jackson, Mississippi and Rebecca from Bristol, England. As an exchange student she will be returning to the UK in September – to play for Avada Keeledavra. The two don't want to think about the coming separation – but look forward to driving to from MS to Seattle for Quidcon in July. Elizabeth Main and Brian Stevens

Presenting: Elizabeth Main, a chaser from Sam Houston State University, and Brian Stevens, a keeper for Rice, the quidditch couple that is muy caliente! It was at the First 52nd annual Mardi Gras Carnival Cup, where their romance sparked, but the two really got to know each other during Houston Summer Quidditch in 2012. They exchanged numbers and continued to line dance around each other for four months, neither one making a move and unsure how the other felt...Finally, after a gossipy quidditch grapevine of three collegiate cupids, one night in Austin, after the Diamond Cup, Brian gathered up the courage to sweep her off her broom. Ever since then, the Doctor is rarely seen without his chosen companion, and everyone - including their families, who coincidentally knew each other before the quidcouple started dating - is now besotted by their adorable. Kyrie Timbrook and Kevin Oelze

Bonding over so much more than their shared appreciation of musicals, Kyrie and Kevin make the best Company for each other and for their team, the Skrewts. Together, they instruct their team by bringing strategy sessions To Life, and on the pitch Kevin, a keeper and chaser, has been known to charge the hoops after hearing Kyrie, a beater, tell him, "I'll Cover You." When Kyrie aims to protect Kevin with a bludger, she proves that At the End of the Day, no matter how hard opposing teams might try, You Can't Stop the Beat! Though of course they don't fly, Some People have noted that Kevin and Kyrie's relationship seemingly renders them capable of Defying Gravity. Their chaser drills, and their communication on the pitch, allows them to Pick A Little, Talk A Little, before Kevin inevitably scores with a thundering dunk. This partnership often leads to teams accusing them of Moving Too Fast, and frequently yields scores of Three-Five-Zero, Zero. They may dominate on the pitch, but ultimately, I Believe that their close relationship is the biggest reason why you'll always see them Put On A Happy Face. (Ed. note: Kevin is also a member of the IQA game play department.) Tyler Dukes and Phylicia Blacketer Tyler Dukes and Phylicia Blacketer of the Texas State Bobcats are definitely the cutest couple in quidditch! Often referred to as TyPhy (tie-fee), this couple is dreadfully adorable and talented! They met a little over two years ago at the beginning of their freshman year, and were some of the founding members of Texas State's Quidditch Association. PRESH, right?? PhyPhy (fee-fee) played chaser her sophomore year, and this year is the Quidditch Team Captain, while TyTy has played beater for two years and is this year's Quidditch Association Vice President. These two are incredibly dedicated team members, and sometimes their teammates think they have magical lesbian powers that make them exceptionally good at quidditch, as well as incredibly talented in making all of the straight girls on the team go gay for them. But this couple is inseparable, and oblivious to the waves of girls (and boys) in quidditch that want to be a part of TyPhy- they only have eyes for each other. TOO CHARMING, right?? As some of the most nerdy and amazingly friendly people you will ever meet, there is no better duo to give this award to then TyPhy- an awesomely gay couple in the heart of Texas. Melissa DeVarney and Adrian Rillon

Melissa DeVarney achieved something beaters usually can't—she caught the snitch! Not just any snitch, the charming, intelligent, sweetheart snitch Adrian Rillon. The two met on Texas's intramural Hufflepuff team in Spring 2012. The team was undergoing some major growth but the fledgling couple still caught each other's eye. After a long, sweaty practice, the pair sat and talked for hours on the hillside of Texas's Quidditch Pitch. The romantic setting complete with overarching trees and sunkissed (mostly green) grass catalyzed one of the cutest relationships in TXQ. Melissa remarks that seeing Adrian at practice “was always the highlight of [her] day.” Skip forward a few months and we get to the celebratory night after UT's Lone Star Cup. The Texas Deluminators (now known as Austin Quidditch) invited Snitch Adrian Rillon to their late-night festivities. After a long day of Quidditching, Melissa found a cozy spot to lay her head on Adrian's shoulder: the first sign of a new quidship!! A few days later, Adrian asked Melissa out on their first date and the couple has been inseparable since. Melissa ranks Adrian as the best thing that she's gotten out of Quidditch (AWWWW!!!) Melissa was a skilled beater for Hufflepuff and Austin quidditch: cunning, sharp, patient, and very physical for a lady! Adrian matches her stats as a snitch, but throws in an element of goofiness to please the crowd and make any game he's snitching an interesting one! Adrian also is known to play seeker from time to time. What a talented young pair!! With Melissa taking on an internship in Los Angeles this semester, the lovers will face a challenge but it is our belief that they'll pull through. If you're from the LA area, look out for this Texas beater and please accept her into your quidclique! Adrian can vouch that she's a sweet, intelligent, talented lady and we're all sad to see her go. She's now a beater for the Lost Boys. We all love you guys and think you're absolutely QUADORABLE!! Zach D'Amico and Sarah Sherman

These two are one of the most attractive couples in quidditch, by far. The two met at the Austin Fantasy Tournament last summer, and I knew from the very beginning that they would be great together. After weeks of constant communication, Zach made the grand gesture to fly to California to surprise Sarah, because he knew he wanted to be with her. And they've been together ever since. Written by Nicté Sobrino, relationship facilitator. Stephen Hill and Hala Ashraf

Hala and Steve met while they were both training to become ResidentAssistants here at the University of Pittsburgh and started dated soonafter. Hala was already a beater on the Q.C. Pitt team, and this yearinvited Steve to join her on the pitch as a chaser. They are both terriblycute together. But do not let their cuteness fool you. They are a menacingcouple on the pitch. Hala's beats make chasers run away quickly and shekeeps a protective eye on her chasing man well. Steve as a well-builtchaser also keeps his eye on any sneaky beaters that may be about topounce on an unaware Hala. Their jersey numbers match cutely as well withHala as number 60 and Steve as number 61. Q.C. Pitt loves this couple andthinks that they are most definitely deserving of the cutest quidditchcouple title.

But wait, there's more!-- Andrew Bulman and Lidia Zacharczuk Our team also consists of another cute quidditch couple. Andrew and Lidiaare equally adorable and menacing as another chaser, beater couple.Andrew's chasing complements Lidia's beats on the pitch and their cutenessradiates outside the pitch as well. Q.C. Pitt would love to share both ofthese couples as the cutest quidditch couples. Kevin and Layla

Seeker Kevin was a fine, fine lad. Layla? No cooler girl could be had. He from the home of red, white and blue, She from the land of the kangaroo. And though he looked like a grumpy cat, To her, he was cute, and that was that. They were teammates for UR before, Then on Halloween they wanted more. Happy since then, they're really a pair, Both rather short, but man they have flair. Gianluca Tenzone and Velia Cavallini Him: the Milano Meneghins' seeker at first, feisty chaser, part-time beater, the team's co-captain. Her: first official supporter, currently tough beater, chaser in training. I met Gianluca at the first practice the Meneghins had. Quidditch was almost non-existant in Italy and I had managed to gather a few interested people on Facebook to play in Milan. Gian was there with 3 of his friends, with some wire in his backpack to complement the tons of PVC I bought in my hometown and brought to Milan. That was the first thing I learned about him was this: he was more than ready to work for the team. Our current hoops came from his repeated attempts at a new design, many of the current players came to the team through him, more in general, he started being the co-captain even before we started being a team. The second thing I learnt about him are his faces. Oh. My. God! Best expressions ever. Picture a short guy, trained in martial arts, friendly but highly competitive. Now imagine him powering through bigger chasers out of determination more than everything else. Now add lots of puffing and growling, and almost angry, determined expressions. On a face that looks a bit like The Rock's. I know of some people who spent most of a match watching him just because of those expressions! Velia appeared at the first Italian tournament. Good girlfriend, come to cheer on her boyfriend and friends, great fun to be around. Then the European Regional came, and she was supposed to come as a supporter and photographer, but it looked like we only had one girl in the team, so she offered to complete our roster for the tournament. The process might cover a couple more steps but, long story short, she ended up fighting along with our other two beaters defending the Snitch and our seeker with all her strength and a knife in her teeth, so that we could end it with a snatch to reach the third place. Ok, I might have imagined the knife, but you get my point. She's somehow become the team's mum under many aspects, but don't mistake all those free hugs she gives away as a sign of weakness, or the next thing you'll remember will be a bludger by "The Red" flying towards you. As a couple these two go way back, I'm not even sure how many years... But they're awesome by themselves and even more incredibly awesome as a couple. Since the first time I saw them together I saw how they fit each other, and how they seem to have a positive influence on who's around them. And if that isn't already enough, they perfectly sum up one of the team's mottos: "Cute & Cuddly" (currently working on a scarier one!). Tim Binns and Amy Murphy

The Effect of a Friendly Freshman Male Beater on a Charming Sophomore Female Beater Hypothesis:  If test subject A (Tim Binns) is exposed to test subject B (Amy Murphy), then they will begin dating and there will be much rejoicing by other members of the University of Richmond Quidditch team. Results and Analysis:  As there was instant romantic promise between Tim and Amy, the team excited “shipped” them for nearly a month before they officially began dating.  Everyone has continued to ship them since; as they are even more adorable and cute together than they were separately. Both subjects remain some of the sweetest, happiest people on the team, and frequently go out of their way to help friends in need or bring a smile to someone's face. Their willingness to be crazy and fun inspires everyone around them to have a more positive outlook on their own lives. The only time not to mess with them is on the pitch, where they make a killer beater pair. Ryan Parsons and Nicté Sobrino

Ryan Parsons and Nicté Sobrino have been dating since before USC quidditch was even a thing. They met 3 1/2 years ago, during their freshmen year of college, and they were immediately friends. They finally decided to date when Ryan told her that he couldnt stand to "just be friends" any longer. Most people already assumed they were dating. This couple works together to co-captain the USC quidditch team, and their love can be seen on and off the pitch. Tackle Ryan, and you might get a rather painful bludger to the face from Nicté. Above is the cute couple after winning the Hollywood Bowl this past October. They're adorable. Katie Skipper and Nick Candido

When it comes to quid couples, none compare to the incredible Nick “Honestman” Candido and “Princess” Katie Skipper of the University of Richmond Spiders.  Truly, a better match could not have been made in quidditch Heaven.  The two met after Nick returned from his semester Down Under to reclaim his rightful place on the quidditch pitch where freshman seeker Katie Skipper was starting her second semester.  It wasn't until the following year that their young friendship became something more and thus, Kick Skipdido (we're still working on a name) was born.  The thing about these two is that better people never walked this Earth and they make each other happier than I've ever seen a couple.  The multitalented head captain/chaser/keeper Nick is as kooky as his hair and has the incredible ability to make anyone laugh with the accounts of his ridiculous adventures of his amazing luck.  Katie is the heart of the team, the one who keeps us together and on time, as well as being one of the most sincerely nice people you'll ever meet.  They both put 100% into the team, on and off the pitch, and are some of the best friends anyone could ask for.  The point is, these two are invaluable members of the Richmond Spiders, without whom the team would not be anything like it is today, and they make each other extraordinarily happy.  And what more should a quidditch couple be than that? Tom and Freddy

Coming back to quidditch this past fall, there were many new faces. In particular there was this one boy Tom and this one girl Freddy. Tom seemed to be this all American boy who spoke his mind, was patriotic, and was good at quidditch. Freddy was this tank when playing quidditch, but was this quiet shy girl when off the field. From the outside these two seemed quite different. There was a day when it rained, and since it's Rochester it rained some more, so our entire quidditch pitch was a mud bath. It just so happened the RIT Dark Marks were practicing tackling. The entire team was covered in mud at the end of practice, so we were just playing in the mud for fun. When all of a sudden we see Tom pick up Freddy and drop her, face first into the mud. It was the start to the beautiful mocking of Tom about Freddy. I had never seen Tom get shy about anything before in the time I had known him, but when you brought up Freddy he became so bashful. We would harass him about her and ask him all sorts of questions. Finally, after weeks of this, he asked her out. And she said yes. Kat Stewart and Jordan Key

I officially nominate Kat Stewart and Jordan Key for quidditch's cutest couple!  These two have been an item for over a year now, meeting on the University of Arkansas quiddtich pitch.  Both are sophomores at the UofA and are head-over-heels in love with each other and the sport!  Kat is a chaser captain for the team  while majoring in Economics and math while Jordan is one of our top beaters majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Physics.  They can be found on the pitch using each other as target and dodging practice and then turn around to lovey-dovey-ness as soon as they are off.  They  were good friends their first few months on the team until one day they decided to grab a bite to eat together afterwards.  Spending quite some time conversing in the local Subway about quiddtich, music, and other interest they soon were smitten.  The two were official within the week! How could this relationship get any cuter? This October, on their anniversary, Jordan gave Kat a beautiful promise ring at sunset saying they would be together forever! And what was Kat's response you might wonder? Well, only the best response ever! A Limited Edition hardback set of the Lord of the Rings Series and a YES!  This match is perfect both on and off the pitch, a true quidditch couple with lots of quove! Rachel Sullivan and Graham Giles 

Sometimes, you see two people together and wonder, “How could there have been a time that they didn't know each other?” That's the story of Rachel Sullivan and Graham Giles. After joining the Firebolts, the official team of the University of Toledo in Ohio, the chemistry between them took off. Aggressively sarcastic yet sickeningly adorable, this pair has cast the quaffle through the goal post of our hearts. Even though Graham is a chaser and Rachel is a beater, they're both keepers to each other. The spell of their love is one we all hope will never be broken. Nikki Navio and Yuzhun Evanoff

I would like to nominate two of my fellow northern quidditchers for the cutest quid couple.  Nikki Navio and Yuzhun Evanoff met during a quidditch practice at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).  They currently study and play quidditch together at UAF.  Attached is a photo of them wearing MATCHING T-SHIRTS in China during a visit last summer. Will Orscheln and Mary Quandt

I'd like to nominate Will Orscheln and Mary Quandt for cutest quidditch couple. They were high school sweethearts at Brazoswood High School. Mary is a freshman playing for SHSU and Will is snitching for Texas A&M. Despite their teams' friendly rivalries, the two travel to tournaments together and really are just too cute for words. Mary's been known to wear gold glitter eyeshadow in support of her snitch and Will has proudly sported every handmade, snitch-themed article of clothing (caps, winged shirts, etc) that Mary created for him. Love this couple! They exemplify the humor and happiness inherent in the sport. Plus they're adorable, as you can see. :) Nicole Galle and Drew Wasikowski

Nigh on two years now this couple has been together. How does the magic stay alive? Why, they love doing everything together – from cooking and eating to running and playing Nintendo DS. He laughs at her awful jokes, and she laughs even harder at her awful jokes. She listens to him talk through his crazy engineering homework, and he is her practice patient for physical therapy school. These two take each bludger Life throws at them and knocks it back in its face, and they do it together. Alicia Radford and Eric Andres

Eric Andres and Alicia Radford first met on the blustery Saturday of World Cup V . . . only Alicia doesn't remember it. Besides the fact that he's never stopped poking fun at her about it, they have since enjoyed almost a year of love and happiness together. On his radio show Off the Pitch and On the Air, Eric began to woo Alicia over the airwaves while Western Cup 2012 was fast approaching. After staring at her Facebook pictures instead of remembering to turn his microphone on, Eric asked her to be his date for the Western Cup ball. After a whirlwind of matching outfits, cocktails, and plenty of dancing, Alicia planted a kiss on Eric that left him dumbfounded and entranced. Just twelve days of Skype calls later, Alicia bought the first plane ticket that would begin their six-month long distance relationship. Now that they live only a mile away from each other, their relationship is just as adventurous and amorous. Alicia and Eric have found a strength in each other that is unmatched and unwavering, all thanks to a radio show and a few cute Facebook pictures. Alicia Radford is the COO of the International Quidditch Association, while Eric Andres captained many Western teams, including the NAU Narwhals and the Western All-Stars. Jacob Haffner and Angela Lorkowski

I officially nominate Jacob Haffner and Angela Lorkowski to be this year's cutest quidditch couple! Jacob and Angela are both freshman at the University of Arkansas and are knee deep in their second semester playing for Razorback Quidditch. Both are chasers and are often seen playing together because they "have great chemistry" (whooda thunk?). Both graduated from Owasso High School in spring 2012. At the beginning of their senior year in high school, Angela moved with her parents to Texas. After much convincing, she was allowed to return to Owasso High School for her last semester of high school, but where was she going to stay for all that time? With none other than her good friend Jacob and his family! The two were truly just that, good friends, but as time progressed, a different kind of relationship blossomed between the two. Despite the fact that the feelings were mutual for some time, the two did not become an official couple until after graduation (however, if one were to Facebook creep, you would find them in nearly every picture together, including some snazzy and very fancy prom pictures!) and have been inseparable since. They are absolutely quadorable on and off pitch! The Silicon Valley Cutes: Kevin & Kyrie, Tyler & Kathleen, Josh & Lia, Chelsey & Tristan, Emily & Robert, Sarah & Craig, Sam & Igor, Janos & Dalia The Silicon Valley Skrewts are without a doubt the most quidcestuous team in all of quidditchdom. Boasting a full 7.5 couples (Tristan West being the Owl Spy), they're perhaps the only team that could send just couples to a tournament and still have a good line of substitutes (including a second seeker.) Water breaks during practices have been known to be filled with sweet nothings, kisses, and sometimes more awkwardly aggressive public displays of affection. Most Eligible Bachelor: Jim Curry

I would like to nominate Jim Curry, from the University of Arkansas for the Most Eligible quidditch bachelor. Not only is Jim president of the quidditch club on his campus, but it's not possible to have a conversation with Jim without speaking about quidditch. After working this summer for eight weeks with Jim, I too had many conversations about Harry Potter and quidditch. I cannot count the number of times I heard him explain how the game was played to those who are not as well informed about Muggle quidditch. I think one of his proudest moments was being featured on the cover of Quidditch Quarterly, which no, I do not subscribe to. I only know what this magazine is because he proudly carried a copy around with him all summer. I was always able to spot his vehicle, because there was a snitch attached to his antenna, flying along with him everywhere he goes. There's really no one I could ever imagine being more fit or deserving of the title of most eligible quidditch bachelor.

Most Eligible Bachelor Runner-Up: Ethan McCormick

I nominate Ethan McCormick to be quidditch's newest Most Eligible Bachelor! Ethan McCormick is one of the founding members of Razorback Quidditch at the University of Arkansas. He is also known as "The Dark Lord" and is obviously a Slytherin (though his smarts suggest some Ravenclaw tendencies). Ethan graduated the U of A last semester with a degree in Biochemistry and Physics and is currently teaching at the U of A and applying to Graduate Schools. Ethan is a deadly beater that you do not want to see aiming at you on the pitch (he's had some of our own players scream with terror at the thought of being beat by him!). Despite being absolutely fierce on the field, Ethan is full of whit and sweetness off of the pitch. He is an absolutely wonderful friend and someone that you can count on for anything, and his entire team feels the same affection and dedication in return. His devotion to Razorback Quidditch as it's former President and current Treasurer is unmistakeable and we wish him the best of luck in his future after the University of Arkansas and Razorback Quidditch! Ben Morton & Saphira

Never before in this history of quidditch has there been a relationship like this - a simple story of how a guy fell in love with his broom. Everyone knows Ben Morton as the floppy haired chaser from the UK, the Chairman of QUK, the biggest quidditch fan this side of the Atlantic, but not many people know of the love of his life - his broom Saphira. Ben will never forget that fateful day when his Grandad, upon hearing that Ben had taken up quidditch gifted him with a sturdy, yet humble broomstick. It was love at first sight between the two of them as the world saw the broomstick transform from nothing more than a household item for sweeping floors to a broomstick fit for a king. Her bristles were trimmed, bound and laquered, her handle was varnished, and her identity was born with the carving of a simple word - she was christened Saphira. Since then, the two have been inseparable and never do you see one without the other. When Ben became Chairman of QUK - Saphira was there, when Ben played at the Summer Games - Saphira was there, when Ben went to his University's Awards Ceremony - Saphira was there. Some say they have even gotten to a stage in their relationship now that they shower together and she helps him wash his golden locks although I can neither confirm nor deny this rumor. All I do know is that never in my lifetime have I seen a love quite like it, and I doubt I ever will again. Grace Worm, Kenny Chilton, and Augusta Daley

More powerful than the Father, Son and Holy ghost. Hotter than Charlie's angels. More entertaining than rock, paper and scissors and with more sexual tension than Harry, Ron and Hermione. Coming to a Valentine's day near you is Quidditch's one and only threesome of love. Before they knew each other they went as Grace Worm, Kenny Chilton and Augusta Daley but since they've been together they are called one thing and one thing only: The Trio. It is said that more than a year and half ago, in the blistering heat of Texas, three young people came out for the tryouts of Texas Quidditch's traveling team. No one knows if the romance began that very day, months later under the seductive christmas lights at a Harry Potter murder mystery party or with heavy amounts of butterbeer at the 2011 World Cup. All we know now is that the three are inseparable, in love and even planning to move in together this coming year. They enjoy playing quidditch together, preforming in plays together, going camping together and having agressive late night pillow fights. And before you go running away with the idea that this is all for Pierce Brosnan and giggles know that there are witnesses across several continents that can attest to there having been lip locking on all sides. Now if that's not the cutest/hottest/most slightly uncomfortable Trio you've ever seen than I can give you the name of a good doctor. John and Angelo

These two are the cutest pair of people who have ever been fortunate to find each other. They are not only keepers on the field, but keepers of each others hearts. Angelo and John first met on a rainy Sunday in august. It was the first quidditch practice of the season and it was perfect climate for growing button mushrooms on a fine log of Quercus imbricara. After a day of torrential downpour, the clouds finally began to part as John and Angelo locked eyes and started to make their way towards each other.