WHROlympians Win Three Awards, including 1st Place Overall

Congratulations to the WHROlympians!!!

In spite of public broadcasting's reputation as being smart, but not athletic, the WHROlympians dominated at the inaugural Downtown Norfolk Corporate Olympics, a kickoff of Norfolk Festevents' HarborFest 2008.

There were seven events and eleven teams, including Nauticus, Goodman & Company (accounting firm), Bank of America, Virginian-Pilot.

First, Annie powered her way through a tricycle riding time trial.

Second, Chuck was blind folded and was instructed by Kim through a maze while sitting in an office chair. They blew the field away and came in first by a long shot.

Third, Homer and Michelle tossed a egg back in forth until it cracked in Michelle's hand on the fifth toss. (We still maintain the egg was defective.)

Fourth, Robin and her strapping husband Mark, performed a great synchronized chair routine to the music of Thriller. They were one of the top three teams that were allowed an encore performance for the entire crowd at the end of the Games. The kiss was a great addition!

Fifth, the five person team of Robin, Kim, Michelle, Joe and Annie took turns dressing and undressing in a timed race (you can ask them about the details). I think they came in second overall.

Sixth, the girls came through again when I joined Debbie, Kim and Robin to give Bobbie great moral support as she single-handedly dominated the competition with a perfect 10 score in the "pass the message" game. What a memory!

And finally, the whole team came together for the big event of the day, the Tug of War. In a bracket format competition, the WHROlympians ran through the brackets winning four straight matches (in probably less than 15 seconds cumulatively) to win the Tug of War. Bert was interviewed by one of the local TV news stations with the team in the background shouting and cheering (and he even got a pitch in for membership).

At the awards ceremony, the special awards were:
Best Costumes - Scallywags (Targeted Publications)
Best Spirit - (hmmm, don't remember, must have been the heat getting to us)
Best Cheering - WHROLYMPIANS

And then, based on the 7 events, the overall winners were:
3rd - Nauticus
2nd - Bank of America
1st Overall - WHROLYMPIANS

The plaques and the traveling trophy will be sitting within WHRO's awards hallway.

Thanks to Ginny for being team captain and coordinator, Megan for the designer shirts, Bobbie for the team moniker and the entire team for doing so well.

For more photos from the Olympics and HarborFest, courtesy of the Virginian-Pilot, click HERE.

And, of course, it was really, really fun. I was glad to be a part of such a wonderfully cohesive group. Every workplace should be this lucky to have such heartfelt camaraderie. Hmmm, do I hear another award-in-the-making ? ? ? ?