USAF: Airman Ericka Engblom The 27th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, winners of Cannon Air Force Base Sports Day, gather around their first place trophy. Squadrons competed in various events for Sports Day.
By Airman 1st Class Jette Carr: 27th SOW Public Affairs
The 27th Special Operations Wing Sports Day, an annual event sponsored by Cannon’s Fitness Center, provided an opportunity for squadrons to showcase their athletic abilities in friendly competitions, May 27. Approximately 1,300 airmen from 17 squadrons participated in athletic events ranging from 3-on-3 basketball and flag football, to horseshoes and tug-o-war.
“Nearly three months of preparation went into making Sports Day a success,” said Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Berryhill, fitness specialist, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron. “Preparing for the event proved to be a crazy and extremely busy time.”
However, Berryhill said the planning and work that went into the event was made worthwhile by the positive response from participants.
Each squadron was represented well by its competitors, but one squadron stood out: 27th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron took first place overall. Of the 14 events, they earned six first place finishes, including softball.
“During Sports Day it was great to come together and work as a team,” said Staff Sgt. Richard Craft, a member of the 27 SOAMXS softball team. “We will be striving to repeat this first place finish again next year.”
Craft, an outfielder, has been competing in softball since he joined the Air Force eight years ago. He hasn’t missed a season yet, he says. This is one of the reasons he joined not only his squadron’s softball team for Sports Day, but the base team as well. Many of his Sports Day teammates are also on the Cannon softball team, which he said, may have contributed to their wins.
The 27 SOAMXS played four games and won the first three hands down, all no-hitters. In the fourth game, the opposing team earned one run, he said.
“I really enjoyed Sports Day, so much so that it is something I think should take place twice a year,” said Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Cobb, 27 SOAMXS. “The two main events of the day were softball and tug-o-war, both of which our team won.”
Jokingly he added that his favorite part of Sports Day was his squadron’s ability to establish their dominance on base while wearing hot pink t-shirts. Wearing pink for this event has become a tradition for this squadron, and next year they may wear pink camouflage pants.
Overall, Sports Day proved to be a great success, said Berryhill. Thanks to much positive feedback, the Cannon Fitness Center is hoping to make next year’s Sports Day even better.
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