CAFNR Week participants get muddy at Bradford Farm
by Ty Scheets, posted Sept. 28, 2009
Bradford Research Farm outside of Columbia was a crowded place on Friday, Sept. 18, as the Independent Aggies put on the annual Mud Volleyball tournament. The tournament was one of the many events planned as part of CAFNR Week.
A total of 27 teams, including one team made of CAFNR faculty and staff, made the event a success this year.
“This year’s events went really well,” said Adam Keene, president of Independent Aggies. “We had a lot more time to prepare. Everyone thought the mud pit was better this year than last.”
The mud and standing water created a slick surface for players, and served as a constant danger for bystanders dodging the slime.
“It’s just so hard to stay on your feet,” said Morgan Ledermann as she stepped into the mud to compete for the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow.
The games began at 4 p.m. and continued well into the evening. As the sun began to set, the games continued and a bonfire was started to help the filthy athletes stay warm.
“By the end of the night there wasn’t a dry seat on the farm,” said Carah Hart, an agricultural journalism freshman from Carrollton, Mo.
Beverly Kruel, a sophomore from Republic Mo., didn’t let an injury ruin her fun.
“I may have broken a toe earlier today, but I figured I would tape it and play anyway,” Kruel said.
While some would find this extreme, lack of competitiveness was never an issue at this tournament. The makeshift lights flicked on while the last few organized games finished and the court transformed from a volleyball match into a wrestling ring.
After the mud settled, people climbed out of the pit until next year’s festivities bring a crowd back to Bradford Farm for another mud volleyball tournament.
