Members of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority perform the opening dance of their syncronized swimming routine for the Delta Gamma Anchor Splash philanthropy event Saturday afternoon at the Dedman Aquatic center. (MICHAEL DANSER/The Daily Campus)
Laughter, cheers and music could be heard as people walked toward the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports Saturday afternoon. More than 21 teams joined Delta Gamma’s mission to “dive in and do good” in its annual Anchor Splash.
With competitions including a walrus race, frozen T-shirt relay and synchronized swimming, sororities, fraternities and other groups on campus raised over $30,000 for the visually impaired and blind. Almost tripling the amounts earned in previous years, this was a record total.
DG sophomore Rose Hurwitz said the event went “so good. It was a better turn out than last year and the weather’s been perfect.”
During one of their many relays, the teams had to ‘save’ their coach by taking them across the pool, succeed in a water balloon toss and pass on a frozen t-shirt.
“It [the frozen T-shirt relay] was impossible. We ended up ripping it because we couldn’t get it apart,” CCPA major Elizabeth Langdon said.
Langdon, who competed with Alpha Chi Omega, enjoyed her Saturday afternoon.
“I think it was a lot of fun. It’s good to have that community and the DG’s are great,” she said.
Inside, the lap pool was transformed into a stage for the synchronized swimming. A few of the 14 routines included Beta splashing to Justin Bieber’s “Baby” and Fiji members jumping in to make their introduction song, “It’s Raining Men” a reality.
The teams were coached by a DG for all competitions.
“They did pretty good. I was proud of them; they had a lot of spirit,” Sigma Chi coach Meghan Poage said.
There was a tie for first place in the synchronized swim between the Christian Fraternity BYX and College Ministry One28.
Seth Thomas, who wore a seashell top, was a member of BYX’s synchronized team.
“It was shorter than we normally do,” Seth Thomas said. “But I think we did really well.”
There were three other categories the teams could win prizes for: best costume, best spirit and overall winner. For the girls Gamma Phi Beta was chosen for best costume with their black and pink theme, Delta Delta Delta won for best synchronized swim and Chi Omega received best spirit and the girl’s swim team was deemed the overall winner. Joining BYX and One28 in the guy’s winning circle was Beta for best costume, Fiji for best spirit and Sig Ep taking first place overall.
As a whole, the Anchor Splash was received well.
“We love Anchor Splash and this is my third year to do it. I can’t wait until next year,” Thomas said.
