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Springtime sports are physical, intense

Bryon Beutler,
Grand Central Magazine

Roller hockey is one of the more popular spring sports. It has the same intensity as ice hockey, only without the frigid temperatures. Photograph by John Ehlke
(Click here for more images.)

Melting snow, budding trees and the feeling of warm sun on your skin are all reasons to get outside and get some fresh air. While some may prefer casual walks, others take a more exciting approach to the onset of spring. One of the more action-packed springtime activities is rugby.

Rugby, otherwise known as rugby football, originated in England and is not a sport for the faint of heart. It involves intense, direct physical contact and little to no padding, making it a dangerous yet heart-pumping game. The risks involved require players to follow rules so they do not get hurt or even die. (See Ben LaMothe’s story about CMU’s rugby team here)

There’s an old English saying that goes, "Football is a gentleman's game played by ruffians and rugby is a ruffian’s game played by gentlemen." But American football and rugby are comparable in other aspects as well. Both American football and rugby have tackles, and points are awarded for kicking a ball between two goal posts. But the number of players varies 13-15 on the field at one time in rugby, as opposed to 11 in American football.

Beth Bedore, a 24-year-old senior from River Junction, played rugby for the Central Michigan University. “When I tell people I played rugby, the initial reaction is, ‘Wow, a chick playing rugby?’ but I don’t think it’s a big deal. I encourage women to try out and not be afraid to break a stereotype,” said Bedore. “Sportsmanship is the number one key to rugby, because if rules are not followed, players can really pay the price from someone else’s mistake.”

Roller hockey is another high-contact extreme contact sport. Roller hockey is a variation of ice hockey and can be played on either inline skates or four-wheeled skates. It is played on a dry rink, making it adaptable for different indoor venues.

Darrick Graham, a 22-year-old senior from Harbor Beach, just played his first season of collegiate roller hockey. When Graham was in the eighth-grade, his brother started playing roller hockey in New York, which got Graham interested in the sport. Graham said that the best places in the area to go play roller hockey are the Lazer Skate Sports Plex in Grand Rapids and the roller skating rink in Midland.

Roller hockey is one of the more popular spring sports. It has the same intensity as ice hockey, only without the frigid temperatures. Photograph by John Ehlke
(Click here for more images.)

Graham said the most intense experience was when he played Eastern Michigan University. “It was a 1-1 game. We were battling it out to the end and our team scored. As a goalie I faced 24 shots in the last 10 minutes of the game,” he said. “I feel that this sport is very fast paced and is a new extreme sport that people should try out.”

Roller hockey is high-speed, but a true outdoors person will probably want to get a little mud on their tires. If this sounds like you, then mud-bogging is the way to go.

Mud-bogging originated in the ‘70s. Other common names for the sport are mud racing, mud running and mud drags. The objective is to maneuver a vehicle through a trench of mud before your competitor reaches the finish line. Trucks and cars that are normally four-wheel drive and all-terrain are sometimes adapted with bigger tires or lifted suspensions.

Margeaux Mills, a sophomore from Macomb, was introduced to mud-bogging one summer by her friends. “We found out that mud-bogging was not that expensive of an event to go to and participate in,” Mills said. Anywhere with mud is a good place to participate in this extreme sport, and Mills suggests checking gotmud.com for weekly events all over Michigan.

The ‘70s brought groundbreaking ideas in biking as well as driving. It was during this time that mountain biking began in Marin County, Calif., with a group of bikers who wanted better handling on their bikes while going down hills. .

Adam Jenks, a 21-year-old junior from Marshall, is an avid mountain biker.

"I didn't really start ‘true’ mountain biking until I got into college,” Jenks said. “I have a friend that is really into bikes and outdoor recreational activities. She was the first person to take me out on some trails.”

The most intense experience for Jenks was when he was “heading down a steep hill on a track in Traverse City when I hit a protruding root with my front tire. I was then sent hurtling through the forest air,” he recalled. “Luckily there was a nice pine tree to break my fall. My most intense experience is also my most unfortunate."

Jenks said there is a quality course near Mount Pleasant, but starters should try Deerfield Park.

Another important factor to Jenks is safety.

“I can't stress enough the importance of wearing a helmet. I wouldn't be sitting here today if I didn't wear one while mountain biking,” he said. “Crashes are inevitable and your head is the most vulnerable spot for a serious injury; I would also recommend a quick fix tire kit for flats.”

People who are interested in the sport of mountain biking should check out Motorless Motion in downtown Mount Pleasant for a good selection of bikes and supplies.