Last Friday, we participated in our annual Red/Gold Scrimmage. It's an inter squad scrimmage where we split up into two teams, put on our game gear, and play a game against each other. With the lead bouncing from one team to the other throughout the entire game, all I could think about was how amazingly interchangeable we obviously were, and last time I checked, that was a good thing. What a great start to a great weekend!

The continuation of greatness flowed into Saturday's football game where we faced our archrivals, Central College at Central. Not only is Central our biggest rival in the Iowa conference, but it was the last game of the year for our football team. This was probably the most exhilarating, most nerve-racking display of all-out effort and heart that I have ever seen from our football squad in the past four years. I don't know what it was, but those boys had something special that drove them through regulation time and into overtime for one of their most glorified wins, finishing 24-17 in OT. It was almost like the Storm football gods had given them a special, super hero powers.

Still in amazement of the super awesome weekend, I still couldn't get over how thrilling the weekend had been. What was it in those athletes that I had seen compete, both in basketball and football, that made them so successful? Was it some kind of supernatural power? Was it good coaching and scheming of the game plan?

On Sunday, I found my answer. I watched Kung Fu Panda. Yes, you better believe it.  I watched it and loved every minute of it. The message in this movie was pretty incredible. Looking on from the outside, anyone would think that these teams, our basketball team and the football team, had some sort of secret ingredient that made us successful. But as it turns out, as you find out in the movie, there is no secret ingredient to the Kung Fu at all. What makes these teams so successful isn't from a super power the Sports Gods bestowed upon them, it's from the BELIEF that each team has what it takes to BE something special. It comes from the hard work and heart of each and every one of the players on the team. It comes from respect, inspiration, and minds of the coaches. It comes from the support from the die-hard fans. So what's our secret ingredient? It's our belief in our ability; our ability to push each other, run faster, jump higher, and nail our shots. We BELIEVE in OURSELVES. The secret ingredient isn't so secret now is it? Watch out, we know Kung Fu.

I've never actually thought about the idea of a "blog" let alone write one, so bear with me, it could get interesting. Last year, I had the luck (the bad kind), should we say, to declare a medical redshirt due to an ACL injury occurring during the last game of our summer league. With this injury, came an opportunity to become a student assistant to my coaches and team, in which I am very grateful. At first, I thought, 'Yes! I get to travel with the team, AND get paid for it as a workstudy job! Wahoo!!' As it turns out, it could have been one of the better things that happened to me. Don't get me wrong, the paycheck was great, but the things I learned from sitting next to my head coach, Brian Niemuth, throughout the season and all the way in to the Sweet 16 was even more rewarding than that little slip of paper. However after sitting out of basketball for what seemed like centuries, (actually it was only a season, but seriously, that's six long months of ordering pizzas for the team--yes, I'm an expert now) I realized how much I loved playing the game. That's what kept me motivated.

Anyway, enough about last year, it's time to talk about the new year. Let's just say this preseason was the worst/best I've ever endured. I'm truly able to say I was proud of every one of the girls after every single workout. Yes, it was that hard. I mean, really, fifteen 150yd sprints in one workout? Who does that? Turns out, we do. Not everyone can say they've been "Snyderized," as we like to call it J (our strength and conditioning coach is Justin Snyder) We have him to thank for that great next-day soreness we felt after every day we worked out and for the constant reminder to "stay hungry" and to "take advantage of every opportunity to get better."  No matter how you look at it though, we're lucky we busted our butts, because it's paid off already.

Yesterday, (Nov. 11) we had our annual scrimmage against Division II NW Missouri State  in Maryville. We loaded up into Simpson's very own bus (which we like to call the 'people-mover' because it looks like a public transit bus) and started south for our second scrimmage of the season. As it turns out, that preseason workout stuff worked. Our recovery time after coming off the floor was super fast, and we were able to put forth awesome effort every time we stepped on the court. Not only do we feel better, but we can see its effects in each other. We played great and Coach Niemuth was pleased. I'd say that's a pretty good start. It feels good to be back. J