Rain was not enough to dampen the spirits of students as they battled on cardboard boats and rafts at Campus Rec’s Naval Battle at Baw Beese Lake last Saturday. The men of Simpson prevailed 3-0 after 15 minutes of battle.

Two teams faced off in a water-themed version of capture the flag. The men of Simpson faced off against the “Coalition,” a combination of the other men’s dorms.

A tradition between the men’s dorms on campus, Naval Battle fell dormant in 2017 and returned  last fall, according to Director of Campus Rec Ryan Perkins.

Both teams had 90 minutes to build boats and rafts out of cardboard, duct tape, pool noodles, and tarps. The teams then had to bring three flags around a buoy and to the opposing team’s shore, all while preventing their boats from being capsized. 

Due to Simpson outnumbering the Coalition, the teams played a second round, with several Simpson men moving to the Coalition to even out the teams.

Junior and Simpson resident assistant Ezra Phillips and junior and head RA Nathan “Rasto” Rastovac captained  the Simpson team.

“I led the strike force to sink their boats and Rasto was on defense,” Phillips said. “Once we got around our buoy, it was the whole team working.”

Phillips said he especially enjoyed the second round with the even teams.

“There were several guys from the Simpson team who volunteered to go to the other side,” Phillips said. “We actually sent several of our bigger and stronger dudes over there, so it was fun to wrestle the guys that were on our team.” 

Phillips said the event helped men from different dorms get to know one another better.

“It’s amazing how wrestling people can help you become friends with them,” he said. “There are guys in Galloway that I now know because we tried to drown each other last Saturday.” 

Rastovac said he was impressed by his team’s turnout.

 

“We almost got 30 guys out there, even with the majority of our dorm having other commitments,” Rastovac said. “It was awesome to see that many guys come out.”

Rastovac praised Phillips’ leadership during the battle.

“Ezra led a charge and opened up the way for the boys in the back with the flags,” Rastovac said. “We got one flag and quickly got a second, but we really fought for that third flag.”

After Simpson moved their flags to the opposing shore, they employed a “wall defense,” according to Phillips.

“We thought if we got around the other side of the buoy and made a wall of our guys, there was no way they could score,” Phillips said.

Rastovac said despite the rainy weather, his team had a good time.

“Even with the weather conditions, it was less than ideal to fight, but that made it more fun,” Rastovac said. “Seeing our guys really push through and have a good time was really what matters. The energy there is something that we as a dorm want to utilize as we push into homecoming.”

Freshman Aidan Watts competed with the Coalition.

“I thought it was a great way to have fun with the guys,” Watts said. “It was unfortunate that we were outnumbered by Simpson, but after they evened out the teams, we were able to get some even matches.”

Perkins said he believes the event was a success.

“I think everybody had fun. I think it all worked out,” Perkins said. “What I love most about Naval Battle is it’s one of our school’s traditions that brings together the men’s dorms in rivalry, camaraderie, and dorm spirit.”