For the second year in a row, the Symmetry Medical dodgeball team proved it has what it takes to be the champions in Kosciusko County.
Symmetry Medical defeated Medtronic Thursday night in the 2011 Kosciusko County Bowen Center-United Way Dodgeball Tournament to claim the glory. In 2010, Symmetry Medical bounced Biomet, the 2009 winners, for the dodgeball bragging rights.
Members on this year’s winning Symmetry team included Brenden Hart, Patrick Carroll, Derek Freds, James Stoddard, BJ Cunningham, Ivan Castillo, Mark Bergman and Ryan Scherzer.
The annual dodgeball tournament is a Bowen Center fundraiser for the United Way. In its seventh year, it was held at Lakeview Middle School. Tim Nussbaum, corporate service director for Bowen Center, reported this morning that the event raised $4,000.50.
Along with first-place team Symmetry Medical and runnersup Medtronic, the other 14 teams that competed included City of Warsaw Police, Lake City Bank, Silveus Insurance, Chore-Time Brock with two teams, Paragon Medical, DePuy, Zimmer, Danco, Black Concrete Construction, Bowen Center, Mutual Bank/Red Star, Akzo Nobel and Biomet.
In the first round, Medtronic defeated the City of Warsaw. Lake City Bank took out Silveus Insurance, and Brock beat Paragon Medical. Zimmer destroyed DePuy, while Symmetry Medical wiped away Danco. Black Concrete punished Choretime, and Bowen Center took down Mutual Bank/Red Star. Biomet eliminated Akzo in the last game of the first round.
For the “Final Four” games, Medtronic beat Lake City Bank; Brock narrowly defeated Zimmer; Symmetry handled Black Construction; and Biomet took down Bowen Center.
After Medtronic beat Brock to advance to the championship game, Symmetry defeated Biomet with a caught ball. By eliminating Biomet in the third round, Symmetry made sure not to repeat history as the two teams had met in the championship game the past two years.
One team each year is presented an award for “best dressed.” This year, that award was given to the Warsaw Community High School cheerleaders for all their volunteer work for the dodgeball tournament. The Biggest Hit Award last night didn’t go to a player, but a spectator who was sitting in the wrong place at the right time. Denise Goveia received the award. It was the seventh time in the tournament’s seven-year history that a fan was bestowed the honor.
Many area businesses gave donations for the dodgeball tournament. Lakeside Chevrolet donated gas cards for the raffle. Pizza Hut donated pizzas to be sold at the event for United Way. Also donating were Marsh, Martin’s, Home City Ice, Owen’s, Baker Youth Club and Lake City Radio donated concert tickets. The Pit Stop donated an oil change.
