Serious cash on line in dodgeball tournament

Jazmyn Stokes, 16, lifted the bottom of her black tank top Tuesday to reveal a red welt forming just above the waistband of her pink short shorts.

"I just got hit in the stomach," she explained. But she wasn't complaining.

"It was so much fun," she said. "It was definitely worth it."

Jazmyn joined in Carson High School's annual dodgeball tournament at the prodding of her brother Ryjul, 18, who wore matching pink shorts.

Organized by the school's mentoring program, Link Crew, teams will compete during lunch hour this week with the championship to be held Thursday night.

To the victor goes the $40 entry fee each of the 16 teams paid to play.

"We want to win first place and get some money," said Aaron Friesell, 17, captain of Team Killabeez.

Although many teams dressed in classic 80s style with short shorts, knee-high socks, side ponytails and head bands, 16-year-old Trevor Goodale said it was no joking matter.

"We take it pretty seriously," he said. "It's a way of life."

Teachers made up two of the eight-member teams. Ann Britt, health and physical education teacher and track coach, played on the team that referred to themselves as "300-plus years of experience."

"I like participating with the kids," she said. "It just shows them teachers are willing to get in there and have fun with them."

Somehow biology teacher Julie Koop made it through school never having played the popular elementary and middle school P.E. game where teams throw balls at one another, and the players that are hit are eliminated.

"I just wanted to play the game," she said. "It was a lot harder than I thought."

Misty Harris, Link Crew adviser, said the fourth annual tournament is a popular activity for players and spectators.

"This is for real stakes," she said. "There's a plaque and everything."