Grad Students Compete in Intramural Sports

In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, the AGC Flower Butterflies finished 2005 as the most successful flag football team in AGC Sports' short but illustrious history. The Butterflies finished with four times as many wins as last year (note: last year's win came on a forfeit), and tripled their offensive scoring.

First-year quarterback Adrian Stuart led the Butterflies to 17.3 points per game with his quick legs and left arm, throwing for multiple touchdowns twice and scoring four himself. "I would have to say I was my own inspiration," said Stuart, in a rare moment of humility. "Without me we had no team. I mean I was the league MVP after all." Despite Stuart's self-appreciative words, the rest of the team was solid as well. FemBack Denise Trevino led the team's ground attack while also passing for two touchdowns.

"Denise is the single greatest weapon on our team," said team captain Andrew Ishak. "With all the coed rules in place, having a female who can pass, run, and catch like she can really opens things up. She even played with ripped shorts."

The offense was also helped by its strong line, anchored by Dalton Tomlin, Amanda "Queen" Latifi, Rachel Karden and Valerie Jauma, and its leading receiver, Colin Lapin. Jauma says that her inspiration was close by: "I was always glad to see Melissa Barnes, Molly Grubbs and Benjamin Wright cheer for the team from the sidelines and perform scenes from the critically acclaimed motion picture Bring It On. As the team's only returning member, Ishak put the two seasons in perspective: "Imagine the Longhorns having a 2-9 season, and then following that up with a 10-1 season. It is exactly the same thing, except instead of 85,000 people screaming, we had 3."

Initially, this season was seen as a rebuilding year. With only three second-year students as starters, the Butterflies were looking at this year as a learning experience. "We lost C-Burt (Cristin Burton) and Will [Proto], and that was our offense last year," said Ishak. "We also lost Mike Heid, who was the heart and soul of our team. He had three misconduct penalties last year." But the team did not struggle. The defense proved to be the stingiest in team history, allowing only one regular season touchdown. Summer Owen barely allowed the other teams' receivers to smell the ball and safety Patrick Wagner gave opposing quarterbacks nightmares. Joining Wagner in those nightmares was Latifi, who led all girls in sacks. "Amanda 'Sackmaster' Latifi knows how to bring it," noted Wagner.

With up to six returning starters on each side of the ball, the Butterflies look to start next season strong. "I would say that with the coaching change and a few new draft picks, we should go all the way...as long as I'm still around!" Stuart said. Jauma and her teammates have already started preparing for next year: "I've got Latifi, Wagner and Lapin running 14 miles each morning, studying old game footage, and snacking on powerbars." Ishak noted that this season was not just about on-the-field play. "It's nice to just get out there and release some stress with your friends. We're all in this program together, so we might as well have fun. I know that [the new co-directors] Colin and Adrian will take care of the team, and I know they can make [the program's sports expert] Dr. John Fortunato proud."

11/28/2005