Splash! – Contestants desperately raced against time and one another, trying to pull their blown-up-whale-riding Delta Gamma coaches to the end of the pool first.
Delta Gamma’s annual charity event, Anchor Splash, comrprised many races that pitted Greek organizations against each other in a series of mock swimming competition events, all for a philanthropic cause.
The event can trace its roots to the University of Miami, Fla., where the DG chapter at U of M held a fundraising event for an organization known as Service for Sight. One of the members was visual impaired, providing the inspiration for the first Anchor Splash event.
Anchor Splash took place in Meeks Auditorium for the second time in the event’s history.
Junior Meredith Wholley, a DG member, helped organize the entire event. Wholley said this year’s event went well, and they were “finally getting the hang of things now that (they) moved the event to Meek.”
Wholley said the biggest challenge for her and her fellow event organizers was communication with the large number of participants.
“There are many fraternities and sororities participating in such a big event, it’s hard to coordinate with everyone,” she said.
Friends and parents alike snapped photos and took videos of their friends or family members participating in the various events that included a Beautiful Eyes Competition, Banner Competition, Team Serenade, 100 Medley Relay, Sailor Strip, Doggie Paddle Relay, Corkscrew Relay, Whale Race and, last but not least, Synchronized Swimming.
While all the events of Anchor Splash were met with anticipation and excitement, the event that stole the spotlight was Synchronized Swimming.
Two DG members, junior Erika Reese and sophomore Casey Smiley, said the most highly anticipated event was the latter.
“That’s what everyone looks forward to throughout the night,” Reese said.
After the competitive events were over, the DG coordinators tallied up all the points and named the winners.
Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity took first place, Kappa Alpha Theta sorority won second, and Delta Delta Delta sorority won third. The prize for winning Anchor Splash comes in the form of two $15 gift cards to Amato’s Woodfired Pizza.
DG raised over $1,500 through Anchor Splash this year, all of which will go to Service for Sight.