CLUB CORNER

Okay, so you know how sometimes you get chocolate ice cream, but it actually turns out to be ice milk, so naturally you're disappointed; and then you really want some rocky road, and you get it, but you can't finish it? And then you really want some more rocky road, and you get it again, and again you can't finish it? That pretty much sums up the experience of the Oberlin Flying Horsecows October 7 and 8 at the Best of the Midwest tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Horsecows came out strong in their second tournament of the year, which was also their first view this year of most of the 'Cows' sectional and regional rivals. The weekend began with a modest disappointment, however ‹ the ice milk incident. Tournament hosts the University of Michigan split into three squads, one of which was to be the Horsecows' first opponent. Games against Michigan are always tense, competitive games ‹ except, of course, when it is a game against Michigan's rookie squad. Which was the case on this particular day, and the result was a 13-2 Oberlin romp, including a flawless second half. According to first-year Will "Miller" Miller, "Our play was downright titillating." Nor was Miller's play any less exciting, as he was one of several first-years to have breakthrough tournaments.

Not sated from their ice milk, the Horsecows began to salivate over their rocky road ‹ sectional archrival Dayton University. Oberlin sent Dayton home on the second day of regionals each of the last two years, and this game immediately acquired an intensity not usually seen in college ultimate during October. Both teams stepped up their play with each successive point on this windy, overcast day in Ann Arbor, with Dayton controlling the lead early but the 'Cows battling back and never more than a point or so out of the lead.

Both teams threw zone, and it was here that Oberlin shone. The Horsecows' zone defense was stifling, and on the few occasions when Dayton threw a zone, Oberlin ripped it to shreds. The game drew on long, and with Dayton up 11-10, the cap was set to go on following the point. The 'Cows scored, drawing the game to a tie and putting it to sudden death‹the next point by either team would be the winner.

And a tense point it was. As would be the case all weekend, an energized Horsecow sideline leapt, bounded and screamed their hearts and lungs out cheering for the team, helping Oberlin to force a turnover. Unable to convert, the Horsecows were unable to summon the magic again, as Dayton scored for the win. Sophomore Mike Hamm put it best when he said of the Dayton game, "It was a good game, I guess, but it kind of made me feel constipated. You know, when you really want to do something, but just can't? Like that."

Not to be deterred, Oberlin came out strong in the next game, taking it to half 7-2 against Michigan Tech. At this point (and throughout the weekend), Oberlin was able to reach deep into their bench and give significant playing time to their entire 19 man strong roster. The 'Cows rolled through the second half to a 13-6 victory.

Then it was Krogertime, as the Horsecows used their bye to reload on sugar and salt reserves in anticipation for the day's final match, against strong regional foe Indiana University. The Hoosiermamas did have one distinct disadvantage, however‹a very small squad, and one which had not had a bye. Thus, Oberlin's stifling zone was thrown once again, and their offense was indeed potent, and the Horsecows did romp, 13-5. "I was really proud with the way we represented ourselves," junior Rich Raz said. "I mean, all that pressure to perform, and to pull it out in the end when nobody expected itŠ.wait, we are talking about the gold medal baseball game against Cuba, right?"

Surprisingly unexhausted, Oberlin retired for the evening with visions of tournament victory in their little Horsecow heads. But they made one big mistake ‹ not going to the party at "Tim"'s house. For if they had, they would have known that they were to have a first-round bye on Sunday. Instead, the boys from the North Coast showed up three hours before their first game on Sunday.

Not like it really mattered. Oberlin faced the University of Illinois in the tournament quarterfinals, and Urbana-Champlaign's finest were, like their brethren from Indiana, rather shorthanded. It was never really close, and Oberlin rolled to a 13-8 victory despite a little bit of sloppy play.

Which made it time again for rocky road. Dayton, who had known of their bye, had also rolled through the quarters with ease, and the atmosphere was again electric at first pull. Dayton was again able to take an early lead, but this time they were able to hold onto it. Ghetto Force took half 8-5, and despite their best efforts, Oberlin just didn't have the spark, and fell 13-8, wishing the whole time that there hadn't been so many damn nuts in the ice cream. "I don't really like rocky road," sophomore Dan Scott was heard to say, "but sometimes you just gotta choke it down."

Thus it was with some joy and some sorrow that the Horsecows did leave Ann Arbor on 8 October in the year of our lord 2000, and with thoughts in their hearts of most triumphant revenge on the big men from Dayton.

-Jacob Kramer-Duffield is a member of the ultimate frisbee team