OWU Croquet Team Travels to Nationals

By Abigail Hutchins
April 24, 2009

  • Stephen Luttenberg hits a ball towards the hoop. (OKWUeagle.com photo)

Oklahoma Wesleyan University will send its first croquet team to the National Collegiate Croquet Championship April 25 and April 26 at the Merion Cricket Club in Haverford, Pa. As the only university west of the Mississippi to ever compete in this competition, they will be pitted against Ivy League east coast schools such as Harvard University, Yale University, and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Led by former OWU librarian Dr. Wendell Thompson, the team has only existed in its present form since last fall. It grew out of a group of students who met to pursue recreational croquet. Mariah Klumb, Eric Knight, Ruth Kunkle, Nate Davis, Stephen Luttenberg and Steven Ellison were selected to represent the school in the competition.

The team members are excited about the chance to travel to represent the school. Instead of practicing their skills on the lawn between the library and the school lake, they will perform at a regular cricket club in front of thousands of spectators.

“I didn’t think I would ever represent the school in sports,” Ruth Kunkle, a senior and a member of the croquet team, said. “This year has been a first.”

  • Dr. Thompson instructs Eric Knight on proper technique. (OKWUeagle.com photo)

“This is my first semester to play croquet,” freshman Nate Davis said. “But I really like hitting the ball.”

They enjoy the social atmosphere of the team as well.

“I enjoy the banter,” Kunkle said. “We are serious about it, but we have fun.”

“I like the camaderie of the group of people,” Davis said. “Learning a sport like croquet helps me to connect with a different generation.  . . Also, it is an international sport, and with my calling to missions, I think that will come in handy.”

Dr. Thompson indicated that he was very excited about seeing his team compete at nationals finally.

“I’ve been playing with Mr. T since my sophomore year,” Kunkle said. “He is really excited about us having a chance to show our stuff. I want to play well for him. I want to play well for Mr. T.”