The Final Countdown
They've survived regional championships, and two-a-day practices. They've suffered bruises, blisters, and broomstick splinters for months. They're stronger than they've ever been, after a years' worth of hard work and high-knees, strength-training and sprints. Everything has been leading up to these next 48 hours …
For 80 teams, April 13th has been circled on their calendars in red ink, marking the culmination of their years' work. Now, the world's best quidditch squads have gathered in Kissimmee, Florida to demonstrate one thing and one thing only: magic is might.
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Team bonding before the cup || Photo by Michael E. Mason Photography[/caption]
In the final hours leading up the Cup, the hotel air was thick from Florida humidity and the high-stakes of the heated competition. The IQA visited with three different teams—No. 49 New York University (New York, NY), No. 4 University of Maryland (College Park, MD), and No. 50 University of Richmond (Richmond, VA)–to see how their members weathered the calm before the storm.
At the UMD suite, the poly-positioned powerhouse Harry Greenhouse was found deep in his pre-tournament ritual. Before a big match, Greenhouse always turns in early to watch videos of his opponents, sizing up both the chasers and seekers that he may find himself up against. His competitors may be his night's companions, but who gets the good night kiss? The night before any big game, the wunderkind kisses his old wrestling headgear.
The NYU Nundu like to talk shop before a big tournament. On World Cup Eve, co-captains Amanda Dallas and Bryan Hall hosted a last-minute strategy session with their new players—whom they affectionately refer to as kittens—to review their game plan. But they feel ready for the day that lies ahead of them. When asked what they'd do with one more day to prepare, Dallas shrugged: “I would spend an extra day in Disney World. I'd let the kittens use it to relax and get a good rest.”
But as any competitor knows, confidence and calmness wane overnight, and there's nothing more nerve-wracking than bowing your head for broom's down. That's why most teams turn to pre-game rituals and superstitions.
URichmond beater, Tim Binns, suffers so badly from pre-game jitters, the only way he can compose himself is to have teammates punch him square in the chest. For Richmond Spiders who prefer a softer touch, Austin Nuckols is on hand to give a relaxing back massage.
Strange idiosyncrasies are not uncommon among quidditch players, and you will always find UMD beater Sarah Woolsey plugged into her iPod before a game, separate from her team listening to Interlude with stern concentration. And NYU seeker Ryan Blewett's superstition could be a hazard to his bones … he comes to each game wearing only one shin-guard.
The piece de resistance for any team is their pre-game cheer. UMD keeper James Hicks leads UMD in the chant from Remember the Titans, a ritual that began last spring at the Sirius Blacksburg Tournament and somehow stuck. “It's an inspiring movie,” Chaser Patrick Rardin said of the football flick. “There are lots of differences coming together, and that encapsulates our team.”
Richmond captain Nick Candido does a classic call and answer cheer, surrounded by his team sporting spider-man jerseys. The female chasers file into the middle of the huddle, and say their names in strange weird accents, while Amy Murphy and Abby Hegarty hold hands as they jump up and down.
These superstitions may seem silly, but there's no denying that these are very serious athletes. Sometimes, the only thing that can get you through the agonizing anticipation before a big match is just a little bit magical thinking.
