Spring Break
The Daily OrangeUnique styles secret to beer-pong success
By Brian Tahmosh
Posted: 4/25/07, 1:32 AM EST Section: Feature
Fluttering high above the earth, the white sphere soars over the orange table, yearning to land in a moist red cup to quench its thirst. These 7.5 feet are what separate the contenders from the pretenders.
The ball doesn't care how it splashes down into the pool of beer. It doesn't mind if its path originated from a superstitious tap, an underhand lob or a behind the back flip.
If it is wet, the ball is happy.
Forty-six teams tried to make the ball happy last night during the New York Beer Pong Tour's competition at Chuck's Cafe. Only one pair took home the crown, but along the way, several competitors entertained patrons with a multitude of unique shooting styles.
Ryan Pogue cannot just throw the ball. He has to score his way, and no one can change him. The senior business administration major at LeMoyne College has a thing for threes.
"I was born on the third. I'm a third child," Pogue said. "Three is my lucky number."
Pogue stands over the table, dressed in a T-shirt that says "We Bring the Whuppin." He holds the ball in his right hand with three fingers and dips it in the water cup three times. Next, he taps it on the table three times and flicks the ball three times. Then he takes two practice shots, and on the third, he lets it fly.
"Everyone calls him Sergio Garcia because he takes forever to shoot," said Eamon O'Brien, senior finance major at LeMoyne, who lives with Pogue and played against him in a practice game. "It doesn't bother me. We just make fun of him."
Pogue's unorthodox style doesn't end with the preparation. He uses a circular motion with his wrist to release the ball like an underhand flip. The shot appears awkward, but it is always consistent.
"People are always telling me they think I have backspin," Pogue said. "It's just a natural motion."
The natural motion may be the secret, whether it is a unique flick of the wrist or just the standard basketball shot. Justin Jiunta, senior exercise science major, said beer pong form always comes down to muscle memory.
The ball doesn't care how it splashes down into the pool of beer. It doesn't mind if its path originated from a superstitious tap, an underhand lob or a behind the back flip.
If it is wet, the ball is happy.
Forty-six teams tried to make the ball happy last night during the New York Beer Pong Tour's competition at Chuck's Cafe. Only one pair took home the crown, but along the way, several competitors entertained patrons with a multitude of unique shooting styles.
Ryan Pogue cannot just throw the ball. He has to score his way, and no one can change him. The senior business administration major at LeMoyne College has a thing for threes.
"I was born on the third. I'm a third child," Pogue said. "Three is my lucky number."
Pogue stands over the table, dressed in a T-shirt that says "We Bring the Whuppin." He holds the ball in his right hand with three fingers and dips it in the water cup three times. Next, he taps it on the table three times and flicks the ball three times. Then he takes two practice shots, and on the third, he lets it fly.
"Everyone calls him Sergio Garcia because he takes forever to shoot," said Eamon O'Brien, senior finance major at LeMoyne, who lives with Pogue and played against him in a practice game. "It doesn't bother me. We just make fun of him."
Pogue's unorthodox style doesn't end with the preparation. He uses a circular motion with his wrist to release the ball like an underhand flip. The shot appears awkward, but it is always consistent.
"People are always telling me they think I have backspin," Pogue said. "It's just a natural motion."
The natural motion may be the secret, whether it is a unique flick of the wrist or just the standard basketball shot. Justin Jiunta, senior exercise science major, said beer pong form always comes down to muscle memory.
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Marissa
posted 2/18/08 @ 3:31 PM EST
SU!!! ESF !!
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