 The
early group arrives: Joanie, Web, Patrick, Roondog, and flying in all
the way from Lincolnshire, IL - Greg Woodard
|
 And
here's some slacker with the tavern owner and Digger Original
"Coach" (One word, no last name).
|
|
 "It's
good to be the king"
|
 Rex
says "Yes it is Marc. Yes it is"
|
 Ah.
. . . what's goin' on here?
Kent, gettin' a little 4-way lovin before the Digger!
|
 Team
Sprau: Andy,
Russell, and 6-time Digger finalist Melissa
|
   MVP
Photo Posers. I like the excessive use of tongues
|
 2
Seconds later and this would have been our cover shot!
It was still "all good" in person.
|
 The
obligatory Frankie and Johnny shot. You two are going to have to do
something more creative to keep getting premium billing. Although I do
like Johnny's slanted sideways "don't mess wit me" look.
|
|
 Da
Boyz'
|
 Da
Galz'
|
|
 Mitch
(on left) managed to only show up in one picture. Coming off achilles
tendon surgery is looking to make a huge comeback in 2003. Either that
or give up the game and become a professional drinker.
|
 He's
6'5, I'm 5'6 - don't we look like Beach Partners?
|
|
 Party
on Dude!
It's 1am, "Do you know where your children are?".
Congratulations to everyone who appeared conscious in the
1am group photo - you've
earned your Gold Star!
|
|
|
|
|
So the stage was set.
Digger Day #42 August
30th, 2002
|
 Digger
#42 had another massive turnout.
80's, Sunny, and a slight breeze certainly helps with
the motivation to head down to the beach.
|
 As
Pink would say
"Let's Get This Party Started"
|
 GRRRRRRR!
I'm ready - Let's Go!
Tony the Tiger making a rare cameo appearance.
|
  We
started a new tradition this Digger - the "Yellow Leader
Jersey" (left-modeled by spokeswoman Carol Crane). Initially it was worn by the previous Digger Champions
of both sexes. If the "Yellow Jersey" was
defeated, the jersey would pass to the Victor. Women's jersey holders:
Lisa T (2002 June winner), Amanda, Carol and Missy. Men's jersey
holders: Dan Anderson (2001 June winner), yours truly, Mark Westlund (who crushed me
like a bug), Kevin Rooney, Kent Schlaefer cand Joe Finley (pictured on right - he wanted to
make sure we got a picture of him before he lost it) - who'd I miss?
|
 We
also started a new "tradition" by having formal Grudge
Matches.
Lisa Trumbull - June Digger Virgin and
then Digger Champion. - made a tactical
mistake in the 5th round, foolheartedly calling for a challenge match,
paired with Missy, against me
and Roondog. As is oft to happen
in "Battle of the Sexes", the men were victorious.
|
|
 Brent
explaining to Kameron the finer points of
how to tear knee tendons while
touching your toes to your nose.
|
 Elliott
- "I'm a Man about Town"
Missy "Don't mess with the
Devil Pony Tails, buddy"
|
|
Here's
the "Kam-era Man" skyin' on a Jump Serve.
That boy's got hops!
|
|
 Rex
and Kelly of
South Of the Boathouse (SOB) fame
|
 Here's
two folks of. . .well um
"Full Moon" Fame
|
|
 Get
that Camera out of my freakin' face! I'm on the witness protection
program - you wants I should get off'd because somebody sees this?
|
 I'm
Supergirl!
|
  Johnny
B and Steph brought their new puppy dachshund, Winston, down to the beach to
enjoy some fun in the sun. He seems to have take to Tricia (left) and
Kameron (right)
|
"I've got a video recorder and
a megaphone and I'm not afraid to use them!"
After
a long day in the sun, with much volleyball and much consumption of . .
.well. . consumables - we we're ready for the Finals
"All
right folks, let's have a clean match. No hitting below the belt, no
sweeping the leg, well . . .
maybe one or two sweeps. "
|
 The
finals pitted 2-time Champion and now 6-time Finalist
Melissa (Sprau) Maloney
|
 Paired
with Digger Virgin Todd
|
|
 Playing
against Digger Virgin
Missy "Misdemeanor" Kutyla
|
Paired with Kevin "I've been doing this for 10 years and I've never
made the finals" Rooney
|
 The
finals gallery had formed. Here's the "Cool Kids".
You know the ones - who also used to beat you up and steal your lunch
money. No, wait, that was the class bully.
Ok, the cool kids were the ones who would never talk to you. See
how there, like, on the other side of the court, being all cool and stuff.
|
 GOOOOO
In!
At the beginning it looked like it was going to be a blowout, with Todd and
Melissa hitting with some serious heat. But Roondog and Missy battled
back
|
 Ah.
. .that's might fine H, 2, O. Or in this case, add some Barley, Malt,
and Hopps.
Digger Virgin Todd smiled more during a finals than I've ever seen.
Way to keep the spirit alive!
|
|
 And
after a hard fought battle, it was over.
And the winners were
|
|
 Missy
and Kevin!
Missy was a dominating force throughout the event, and the even money was
for the Digger Virgin to take it all. She did not disappoint her fan
base.
For Kevin, this is a culmination of terrific outings.
Last August, he got the MVP (Most Valuable Participant) award for partying
like a rock star all weekend. After being cruelly ousted this June in
the semi-finals 15-13, he remained undeterred.
Kevin started the weekend partying at the Pre-Digger and
then woke up and went for a 5 mile run BEFORE the Digger.
Inconceivable! Maybe that should be my secret strategy.
Nah! Whatever the strategy was, it worked out to Digger Gold!
|
Some fun statistics
Melissa Maloney has been in the finals now
5 of the last 6 diggers,
rivaling Dawn (Herold) VonEschenbach's record 6 finals in
the late 90's.
Missy Kutyla and Todd keeps the streak alive with 6 finals in a row containing a
digger virgin (May Yau, Kim Gravel, Becky Maxey, Kent Schlaefer, Jeff
MacCagnone, and Lisa Trumbull)
Kevin keeps the Domer
streak alive with 4 Digger Men champions in a row (Greg Barrett, Todd
Henson, Jack Gibbs)
Melissa keeps the Illini
streak alive with 6 Illini finalists in a row (As long as she keeps making
it we'll do OK)
|
|
The Rest of
the Weekend
Friday night we did Yak-Zie's and Marigold Bowl. Once again,
cameras were not admitted on the premises due to the heavy number of stars
in attendance. I'll say this, we ended up at "Wiener's
Circle" after we shut down Marigold Bowl.
And then on to Saturday night. Kameron graciously hosted the
shindig in his "Party Palace"
|
|
 The
paparazzi returned for the party. Seen here are Goldie Hawn and Kurt
Russell fending off the cameras
|
 Cheers!
|
|
 What
up Bro?
And, like, why is Chandler sitting next to
me?
|
 Havin'
a little food on "our time"
|
 What
would a party be without playing a little "Beer Pong"?
|
|
And so it went into the night. . . .
|
|
 This
Digger's MVP (Most Valuable Participant) goes to Joe Finley. Joe
successfully partied until 1am at the pre-Digger to earn his Gold
Star. He arrived fashionably late to the Digger, but still made it for
the first round. He helped out with the pairing during the digger and
managed to capture the Leader Jersey for one round. He rounded out his
perfect attendance weekend, appearing at Yak-Zie's, Marigold Bowl, and then
a triumphant last stand at the post-post-post Party Saturday night.
Congrats to Jo-seph!
|
|
The Many Faces and Sites of Digger #42 Weekend
|