NEWS

In response to the intercollegiate tournament season being cancelled due to the majority of the college programs having restrictions on competition and travel, the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) program launched the Virtual Tournament of Champions to keep teams engaged and connected throughout the season. The first Intercollegiate Virtual Tournament of Champions wrapped up Regional competition and the National teams have been determined. Each region competed in a series of three tasks and points were earned in each category from first through fifth place. At the completion of each of the regional tasks, a champion was crowned. The four regional winning teams along with two wild card teams will advance to the National Tournament of Champions which will begin the week of March 29, 2021.

Teams competed in a Live Quiz Bowl via Zoom against the other teams in their region. Questions came from the I/I Tournament Conditions, USPA Arena Rules and the I/I Info Pack. Teams earned points for first through fifth place, and the winning team took home a $100 Tackeria Gift Card.

Southeastern Prelim I: Morehouse College (Tyrone, Georgia)
Southeastern Prelim II: University of Kentucky (Wilmore, Kentucky)
Western Prelim I: Montana State (Bozeman, Montana)
Western Prelim II: UC Santa Barbara (Carpinteria, California)

Northeastern Region: University of Connecticut (Storrs, Connecticut)
Southeastern Region: University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia)
Central Region: Texas Christian University (Oak Point, Texas)
Western Region: Oregon State University (Corvallis, Oregon)

Teams selected one player to perform a Tiki Challenge with a foot mallet and an arena ball. Teams had to post their best attempt at tapping the ball in the air to their team Facebook page. The team with the most consecutive hits without the ball touching the ground won a $100 Tackeria gift card. Points were awarded from first through fifth place. The University of Virginia’s Jack McLean had an unbelievable 402 taps!

Northeastern Region: Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, New York)
Southeastern Region: University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia)
Central Region: Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Texas)
Western Region: Oregon State University (Corvallis, Oregon)

Teams selected a second player to participate in a traditional style live penalty shootout with a foot mallet and an arena ball conducted via Zoom. Teams earned points for first through fifth places and the winning team earned a $100 Tackeria Gift Card.

Northeastern Region: Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, New York)
Southeastern Region: University of South Carolina – Aiken (Aiken, South Carolina)
Central Region: Oklahoma State (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
Western Region: Montana State (Bozeman, Montana)

Teams had the option to compete for bonus points via specific social media posts. Bonus points were awarded nationally versus regionally in three categories. Bonus Point winners earned an additional 10 points and 12 sets of brand-new polo bandages.

Most Social Media Posts: University of South Carolina – Aiken (Aiken, South Carolina)
Most Number of Shares on an Original Post: UC Santa Barbara (Carpinteria, California)
Most Creative Post: Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Texas)

The team in each region with the most cumulative points won a complete bridle set and their spot at the National Tournament of Champions!

Northeastern: Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, New York)
Southeastern: University of South Carolina – Aiken (Aiken, South Carolina)
Central: Oklahoma State (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
Western: Oregon State University (Corvallis, Oregon)

Wildcard Selections to Nationals: University of Virginia and Montana State University