Students throwing rocks, playing with scissors

USU students broke out old strategies and game faces Wednesday in an effort become the first Rock, Paper, Scissors champion of USU.

Brad Lowder, freshman in English, rose to the top of a field of 36 competing ‘throwers’ to take the title.

Lowder attributed his success to his ability to read minds.

He said he was inspired to join the tournament put on by Campus Recreation because he saw a banner advertising it and thought, “That sounds like something I can do.” After winning the tournament held next to the Tanner Fountain, a group of his friends lifted him up, chanting his name.

After losing a round, throwers were knocked out of the winners’ bracket and competed in the losers’ bracket. After losing a second round, competitors were eliminated from the running. Throwers were competing for a USU sweatshirt and blanket and an intramural championship t-shirt.

Students tried different kinds of strategy, from complete randomness to faking opponents out.

“I should have thrown rock,” Mike Price, freshman in economics, said after losing in the first round. “I told (my opponent) I was throwing rock ahead of time – then I threw paper. She read right through it.”

Steven Yeip, sophomore computer engineering major, who placed third in the winner’s bracket, said he was a little disappointed after he was knocked out of the running.

“I blame it on the Bush administration,” he said.

“I’ve been doing this since I was two years old. I felt I really had a chance.”

As the competitors moved up in the rankings, tension grew, with loud celebrations and cries of defeat after each throw. Friends and former competitors trash talked from the sidelines.

As Tyler Burbage, undeclared freshman, was paired up with his next contestant in the loser’s bracket, he made a prediction: “He’s humble, so he’s going to win.” Three throws later, Burbage was knocked out of the running by his modest challenger.

Lance Brown, Campus Recreation chair, said the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament was part of a series of contests involving “playground games.”

“Not everyone at USU is athletic, so we wanted to start some nontraditional intramural sports,” Brown said.

Punt, Pass, Kick Contest was held earlier this semester. Other activities that are planned include a Human Pyramid Building Contest and a Text Messaging Contest.

-elizabeth.lawyer@aggiemail.usu.edu

Freshman Brad Lowder won the first Rock, Paper, Scissors competition at USU Wednesday. He beat 35 other students, taking the title.