In late October, nearly 600 chiropractic student athletes from around the country gathered in Cocoa Beach, Florida, to compete in the annual Chiro Games, ultimately vying for the coveted Chiro Cup. Ninety students represented Logan by displaying exceptional teamwork and sportsmanship in bowling, men’s basketball, ultimate frisbee, men’s and women’s soccer, flag football, softball, volleyball, and men’s and women’s golf.
Tyler Gunderson, Trimester 1 student, has been an avid golfer since age four. Coming to Logan, he knew he wanted to participate in the Chiro Games but was disappointed to learn Logan’s golf team was inactive. After some discussion with Robert Powell, director of sports and activities, and with the help of his friends, who happened to be Division I golfers, Tyler hosted tryouts and got the team up and running again.
The men’s golf team took home a gold medal, and Logan student Zach Cutler earned the title of top overall male golfer. The women’s golf team earned a silver medal, and Logan took third place overall in golf.“Everyone played very well. I am so proud of this team, and it was an honor to serve as the team captain,” Tyler said. “It’s also nice to have a foundation for the club going forward. I’m already looking forward to coming back as the defending champs at next year’s games.”
Sarah-Jane (SJ) Pavlik, Trimester 7 student, served as the beach volleyball team captain at this year’s Chiro Games, overseeing logistics such as tryouts, practices and jerseys.“As the team captain, I was also the encourager for my team,” SJ said. “I made sure I always had a positive attitude and tried to be the best teammate I could.”
The team went undefeated on the first day, but SJ kept everyone’s spirits high when they were eliminated on the second day. They even went as a team to cheer on Logan’s soccer team, who was playing for third place, and learned the team’s goalie had injured her hand.
“Two of my friends started yelling for me to get in the goal,” SJ explained. “I thought they were joking because I hadn’t played soccer since I was five years old.”But, being a good sport and positive teammate, she put on a jersey and got in the goal. The soccer team won the game and took home third place.“It was a crazy experience, to say the least. I had a ton of fun, but I don’t think soccer is in my cards any time in the future,” SJ joked.
Similarly, Natalie Hydock, Trimester 7 student and member of the Ultimate Frisbee team, stepped in to play softball when the team unexpectedly needed another player.Natalie played competitive softball from third grade through her senior year of high school, always playing third base. In this game, however, she jumped in as catcher, helping the team win the game and ultimately take third place overall.
“I loved playing softball when I was younger, so it was great to be able to again use a skill set that I spent so much time and effort developing,” Natalie said.
2018 Chiro Games Results: Logan University
Overall: 3rd Place
Gold Medal:
- Men’s Golf
Silver Medal:
- Bowling
- Flag Football
- Women’s Golf
Bronze Medal:
- Men’s Soccer
- Women’s Soccer
- Softball
- Ultimate Frisbee