Joe Aquino and his son, Aayden positioned themselves for center stage, right in the middle of the volleyball court Friday, which proved beneficial as Aayden won the pushup competition, doing more pushups longer than the others. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Joe Aquino and his son, Aayden positioned themselves for center stage, right in the middle of the volleyball court Friday, which proved beneficial as Aayden won the pushup competition, doing more pushups longer than the others. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Last Friday’s sun was hot, but that didn’t stop four teams from competing in the First Annual Mudd Volleyball tournament sponsored by the Mesquite Rotary, in an effort to raise money for a Disc Golf park in Beaver Dam.

Before the competition began, participants had a ‘cooling off’ period in the court area, which was filled with about four inches of water. The goal: to be the last person left doing pushups in the muddy water. Everyone started off strong, but one by one they gave in and jumped out of the water until there was just one: Aayden Aquino, son of Rotarian Joe Aquino, stayed in the mud long enough to win a gift certificate to Subway.

Participants gather inside the water-filled volleyball court to see who can do the most pushups. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Participants gather inside the water-filled volleyball court to see who can do the most pushups. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

The winning team, The Smurfs, consisting of Ariana Hermosillo (Captain), Victor Hermosillo, Cesar Gomez, Victoriano Hermosillo, Nagelly Lopez, Josilynn Lara and Lily Barajas, took home the first place trophy and each received a sports pack provided by Shelter Insurance.

The Mesa View Mud Wallowers took the second place trophy, while the Beaver Dam Diamondbacks won third place. The Average Joes took fourth.

“We had a good turn out,” said Rotary President Linda Gault, “and we are already planning the next one. It’s going to be during a different time of the year, for sure!”

The Mesa View Mud Wallowers brought their ‘A’ game Friday, here playing against the Beaver Dam Diamonbacks. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

The Mesa View Mud Wallowers brought their ‘A’ game Friday, here playing against the Beaver Dam Diamonbacks. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Local businesses once again stepped up to the plate to support the community. In an email from Gault, she credits the success of this year’s tournament to the generosity of Larry LeMieux, Reliance Connects, The View Salon, Davis Construction, Star Nursery, Silver Screen Design, City Shoppes Embroidery, Royal Sanitary Services, Shelter Insurance, and to the Eureka Casino & Resort for the tournament location.

Although victorious throughout the day, the Mesa View Mud Wallowers had their share of falls throughout the competition, but came together as a team to help each other back up. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Although victorious throughout the day, the Mesa View Mud Wallowers had their share of falls throughout the competition, but came together as a team to help each other back up. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Match #1 between the Beaver Dam Diamondbacks (front) and the Mesa View Mud Wallowers (back). The Mud Wallowers defeated Beaver Dam to move on to the winner’s match later in the day. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

Match #1 between the Beaver Dam Diamondbacks (front) and the Mesa View Mud Wallowers (back). The Mud Wallowers defeated Beaver Dam to move on to the winner’s match later in the day. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.