Iron Gator Challenge Reaches Halfway Point
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 | Baseball
By Paul Chandler, Gator Baseball Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
The Gator baseball team has participated in challenging and diverse events during the Iron Gator Challenge, including the 80-yard board push, towel hang, team sled push (sled weighing 135 pounds) for 30 yards, 100-pound dumbbell holds, 45-pound plate holds, team tug-of- war, push-ups, chin-ups, 50-meter freestyle sprint in the pool and 135-pound bar walk for 50 yards.
The players have risen to all the challenges day-in and day-out. They have consistently put forth great mental and physical effort and inspired each other to be better as individuals and a team. Here is what some of the players are saying at this point:
How does the Iron Gator Challenge prepare you for the coming season?
“I think that the Iron Gator Challenge shows how far players are willing to go to better themselves and their teammates. It prepares us mentally and physically for a rigorous season. It shows who is willing to step up and rise to the occasion and exposes the players who aren't giving it their all.” - Junior Preston Tucker (Tampa, Fla.)
What are you thoughts on the Iron Gator Challenge so far?
“So far, the Iron Gator Challenge has been a big surprise to me because of the character of the guys on the team. It seems that the teams everyone thought would have no chance are crushing everyone. The competition has been good for some teams and others have just given in to defeat. The upcoming weeks will be crucial to the make up of our team as a whole. We will see who comes out on top this week!” - Senior Josh Adams (Jacksonville, Fla.)
What has been the hardest thing that you have done so far in UF Baseball's off-season program?
“To me, the everyday grind has been the toughest. It's day-in, day-out. I have to be mentally prepared for every lift and every workout so that my body can perform the way it should”. - Freshman Karsten Whitson (Chipley, Fla.)
Week One Results:
Top Pitchers:
| 1. Keenan Kish | 12 |
| 2t. Brian Johnson and Hudson Randall | 11 |
| 4t. Justin Poovey and Tommy Toledo | 10 |
Top Position Players
| 1. Preston Tucker | 12 |
| 2t. Alex Freedman and Bryson Smith | 11 |
| 4t. Ben McMahan and Kamm Washington | 10 |
Week One Team Standings:
| 1. Team Adams | 16 |
| 2. Team Toledo | 16 |
| 3. Team Fontana | 14 |
| 4. Team Larson | 14 |
Week Two Results
Top Pitchers
| 1. Brian Johnson | 29 |
| 2t. Keenan Kish and Greg Larson | 23 |
| 4. Jonathon Crawford | 21 |
Top Position Players
| 1t. Bryson Smith and Kamm Washington | 28 |
| 3. Tyler Thompson | 23 |
| 4. Paul Wilson | 22 |
Week Two Team Standings
| 1. Team Larson | 22 |
| 2. Team Toledo | 20 |
| 3. Team Adams | 10 |
| 4. Team Fontana | 8 |
Week Three Results:
Top Pitchers
| 1. Brian Johnson | 39 |
| 2t. Justin Poovey and Tommy Toledo | 34 |
| 4. Jonathon Crawford | 29 |
Top Position Players
| 1. Kamm Washington | 45 |
| 2. Bryson Smith | 42 |
| 3t. Ben McMahan and Paul Wilson | 38 |
Week Three Team Standings
| 1. Team Adams | 16 |
| 2. Team Larson | 12 |
| 3. Team Toledo | 8 |
| 4. Team Fontana | 4 |
Overall Standings
| 1. Team Larson | 48 |
| 2. Team Toledo | 44 |
| 3. Team Adams | 42 |
| 4. Team Fontana | 26 |
