2-4 February 2007:
Men's Team Travels to Seattle
This week's voyage to Seattle proved a tremendous success for the Cardinal. Despite the absence of Dave Herbert, Ned Henningsen, Abe Chiang, and Joe Kirscher, the Stanford side showed resolve in the face of the depletion of their rnks and in the face of some truly miserable weather.
The plane for Seattle left SFO Friday afternoon but the team was on the University of Washington courts that night, ready to have a go at The University of Notre Dame team. Brad Pearson, on his first trip for the Cardinal, played both 8 and 9. Brad did not let up a single point—an auspicious start if there ever was one. The rest of the team played well and recognition should be given to George Kwon for pulling out a five game stunner as well as to Pat Bugas who played his first match in the one spot. After the match the men retired to their rooms and a much reserved rest.
Sleep was in low supply as the men climbed out of bed to play USC and the Huskies. After arriving at the courts and then sending Mark to pick up the USC team the match commenced. The cardinal claimed the match 8-1. And Helpie-Schmeider and Ananth Srihdar had particularly strong matches. Bugas suffered a tough loss and Andrew Burmon’s match extended into the introduction for the match against the Huskies as the Stanford men declined rest in favor of further combat.
The University of Washington team, better rested and a little more mature—in terms of being old enough to be Ananth’s uncles—looked very strong. None the less Stanford pulled out a 9-0 win. Benjamin Peterson and Trent Hazy had particularly strong matches, putting away the competition with crisp rails and beautiful smiles.
Having put away the competition for the morning the team headed into Seattle in their matching outfits. Dragging Ben away from shoe-shopping, Mark led the team to a triumph over a delightful seafood lunch after which the team played a little pick-up basketball and a group of children.
The particular highlight of the match between the Stanford team and the Seattle Athletic Club was Mark Talbott’s match with a former rival. Mark, in prime physical condition and bristling with the potent athleticism that has not left him despite his advanced years, defeated an airline captain from Alaska.
That evening, at the dinner, the team behaved well. Perfectly reserved and gentlemanly, the men attempted to down calzones the size of footballs. Had anyone managed the trick it certainly would have been the greatest success of the weekend. Unfortunately no one did, though George’s ability to suppress his gag reflex impressed some of the USC players.
The Stanford men and the Berkeley men decided to play there match at a later date. The team caught an early morning flight back to sunny California early Sunday morning, getting back in time for the Super Bowl, surprised that there had been no hitches or problems all weekend long.
George Kwon was so pleased he put off his math homework for twenty minutes to revel in the glory of it all.