COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Fall 2014 Mizzou tennis season kicks off in just 19 days, as the Tigers head to Kansas City, Mo. on Friday, Sept. 19 for the Mizzou Invite. With the upcoming season on the horizon, head coach Sasha Schmid and assistant coach Jason Potthoff agreed on a unique team bonding activity to help bring this year's squad together.
Sunday evening at the Midway Auto Truck Plaza in Columbia, Mo., the Mizzou tennis players, coaches and support staff joined as one and raced the Epic Mud Run, presented by Ultra Max Sports. As far as the eye could see at the Midway Travel Plaza, onlookers could spot miles and miles of unique obstacles and challenges that lied ahead for today's racing competitors.
Beginning at 1:00 p.m., Mud Run competitors were split into different "waves" to ensure a fast paced course for everyone involved. Moments before 4:00 p.m., representatives of Mizzou tennis made their way to the start line as wave number six prepared for their start of the race.
As the countdown from 10 began, Mud Run employees promptly began spraying a variety of colored paints onto the competitors clothing and excitement was rising to a new high. The announcer then shouted out the number zero and the Tigers tennis players sprinted off to begin their three mile run.
About 30 minutes later, the first wave of Mizzou tennis members made their way down the final hill and reached the finish line. Senior Alex Clark was among the first group to finish and crossed the line with both a sense of excitement and relief.
"It was so much fun," Clark said. "This is only our second year doing something like this. We did a Mud Run last year too and that was pretty fun as well. Today's though is probably the best team bonding we've had yet."
Also in the first collection of Mud Run finishers was sophomore Cassidy Spearman. After doing a similar event last year in Wright City, Mo., Spearman and her Tigers teammates were eager to take part in something like that again.
"An event like this helps bring everyone together, especially through the gross and muddy times of the race," Spearman said.
Once the Mizzou tennis members completed the race, they were awarded with a complimentary bottle of water and could relax and enjoy music and an array of food trucks. Covered in paint, mud and sweat from head to toe, Clark had only one thing left to say.
"I'm ready for a shower."
It's a good bet that the rest of Sunday's Mizzou tennis Mud Run competitors shared the exact same thought as their senior leader.
Check-in to MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou tennis. You can also find the Tigers on social media, by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter (@MizzouTennis).