Intramural Flag Football came to a close with a shootout between the Apes and Jellybeans, resulting in the Apes winning the game and taking the crown, with a 78-70 win.
The game capped off an electric season that featured shootouts, blowouts and the occasional controversial call.
“We got a lot of good participation,” ASLU Sports Director and junior biology major Ethan Ensrud said. “I enjoyed the amount of people and the newer groups that I saw there compared to last year.”
Tyler Shuter, a sophomore journalism and media studies major, played defense for the Apes. He got a crucial deflection in the final seconds of the game to help seal the championship. He was one of many players on Linfield’s baseball team that competed for the Apes.
“It went pretty well,” Shuter said. “It was pretty fun to play. Had a couple close games that came down to a two point conversion or so. But luckily we had some good players and we figured out how to put together some good drives when it mattered.”
Shutters crucial play was among the favorites for the team. Senior economics and finance major Brian Mannion, who was thrilled to watch the play happen.
“It was [Shuter] who batted down a pass to seal the championship win,” Mannion said. “That was probably my favorite moment and then immediately taking a group photo with our rings after was fun.”
The Apes went into the playoffs as the three seed, taking down The Cats 92-42 and Goonfield 80-78. The game against Goonfield was one of many that tournament decided by less than a touchdown. That all culminated in the championship game.
“We had a good event [at the championship],” Ensrud said. “I enjoyed having a fun championship game, the scoreboard and Late Night at Dillin after was a great event.”
The championship was just as electric for those playing the game.
“It was pretty fun,” Shuter said. “For everyone on the baseball team, everyone was there supporting. So it was like we just had a lot of people and it was just a fun environment.”
Many IM teams feature athletes from Linfield’s many sports. Coaches often worry what an IM season may cause with injuries, but also let their players have some fun, provided they stay safe.
“They’re just preaching [that] the sixth tool for baseball is availability.” Shuter said. “So as long as [we] don’t get hurt, [they] don’t really care.”
The next IM season will be IM soccer, which begins Oct. 7.
“I heard a lot of talk about soccer,” Ensrud said. “I’m excited for that.”
Mannion and Shuter are unsure how much the Apes will compete in IM sports this year.
“Most of our players are on the baseball team so luckily for the rest of campus I don’t know if we will be able to participate in the other sports,” Mannion said.
Baseball activities go on the entire year, but ramp up after the new year. Basketball, pickleball, and volleyball all occur in the spring, during baseball season.
Regardless of whether the Apes will seek to defend IM bragging rights for the rest of the school year, Mannion wants to make one thing clear:
“Go Apes, shoutout Riggs Towle fantasy owners, and shoutout Spencer Burgess Caesar,”
