Team Spotlight: Baylor
When he arrived at Baylor University his freshman ...
Photo courtesy of Matt Hellman
The Baylor players have also bonded off the pitch. “Being on the team allows one to be competitive but also develop a sense of camaraderie among players. We not only are teammates on-the-pitch, but [are] also friends off-the-pitch. You achieve a great sense of belonging,” said chaser Trent Miller.
Beater David Gilbert echoed Miller's sentiments: “My favorite part about being on the team has definitely been the relationships I have formed with my teammates. I'm a transfer student, so coming into Baylor I was nervous about how I was going to meet people. Quidditch solved that dilemma easily, and now my best friends in college ride broomsticks.”
The tight-knit group is a presence in the campus community. The team participates in major college events such as Diadeloso (Field Day), Spring Premiere, and Late Night (Open House). In addition the team is raising money through interactions with another team on campus: “This year, we are volunteering our time at softball concession stands for the home games to fundraise a little,” Williard said.
Baylor's influence off-the-pitch is just as important to the team as their in-game performance. After losing to both No. 4 University of Texas Austin (Austin, TX) and No. 31 Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA) last season, the team defeated both squads this season 90-80 and 90-60, respectively. Williard stated, “[These wins have] felt nothing short of incredible. Seeing our team come together and learn the strategy of the game over the past year has been impressive to watch from a captain's perspective. Every one of my teammates played their hearts out and earned those victories. It is great progress, and hopefully we only continue to climb.”
Although they carry a No. 13 ranking, many Baylor players believe that their team is overlooked by their peers. “I think we are severely underestimated; mostly by the top teams in the country. I understand a lot of teams have yet to see us play but I think we can hold our own against [top-tier] teams,” explained chaser Beissy Sandoval.
Williard noted that the team has been very successful, going from playing 3-on-3 quidditch on campus to becoming a top-ranked team. “Knowing that our ranking has improved and that we are doing well is surreal, in a way. I've never been more proud to be a part of any team or organization,” commented Williard on the team's accomplishments. He attributed their success to their dedicated players who practice three-times-a-week for three hours, pick up strategy quickly, and come out to practices even during school breaks. Additionally, he believes they've been successful because they've regularly played against top-ranked teams in the Southwest such as No. 1 Texas A&M (College Station, TX), UT, and LSU.
With the Southwest Regional Championship, approaching on Feb. 23-24 in College Station, TX, the team is excited to show off their skills on the pitch. In particular, they are looking forward to facing many top teams--including teams they have never played, meeting new people, and renewing old rivalries. “I'm most excited about playing against UT and A&M. They are always our biggest hurdle on the way to the finals,” noted beater Chris Rhodes.
Beater Daphne Jones-Sgro added, “I'm excited to see how intense the playing is going to be. This is everyone's ticket to the World Cup, and I can't wait to see how much everyone is willing to fight for one of those ten tickets.”
Getting a spot in the World Cup will be a memorable accomplishment for the Baylor team. Still, the team does not judge itself solely based on such feats. “To me, being on Baylor's Quidditch team simply means doing what I love,”said Jones-Sgro. “I love to play quidditch and I love being able to do it with others people that share my same passion.
