After my humiliating loss to track star Drake Johnson, I decided to put my body on the line for this edition of Spencer Vs. It all started when I was trying to figure out which Community athlete I would be challenging next, when Garrett Wood ambled up to me and said “Hey Bro, care to Lax?” It was perfect. I would play Garrett Wood in lacrosse.

Garrett Scott Wood (say it fast) is listed at six feet two inches and two hundred pounds. His muscular physique and 5 percent body fat make him a terrifying spectacle to behold. Garrett plays long and short stick middie and has been playing since freshman year at Pioneer High School. To play Garrett in the highly physical sport of lacrosse was a less than friendly prospect.

Nevertheless I was up to the challenge, and on a breezy, overcast Tuesday afternoon, we met at the PHS lacrosse field. Garrett had brought me his little brother’s gear, which fit me reasonably well.

After a quick warm-up we hit the field for the face off. In lacrosse the two players participating in the face off have to have both their hands holding the stick on the ground in front of the ball. The referee says go and both players go for the ball.

Garrett won the face off and we started play. Garrett did a little stutter-step move and blew by me. I tried to stay in front of him but trying to stay in front of Garrett is like trying to stay in front of a freight train – you may be able to do it for a few seconds, but eventually you’re going to jump out of the way. And that’s just what I did as Garrett scored the behind the back goal.

My turn at offense was very brief. I made a few moves, dropped the ball, and went flying through the air as Garrett lowered his shoulder on me.

Now Garrett had the ball again, he yelled to me “Stay there Spencer, don’t move”. As I wondered what he was planning I saw him charging at me. My brain said move, my body disobeyed, and I was on the ground again. Once I had been revived, I learned that that particular move was called the “bulk dodge” and it was for when you had a weaker defender on you.

Garrett beat me three to zero that day. Frankly, the score would have been much higher if Garrett had been more interested in scoring and less interested in checking me to the turf. No matter what sport, all losses are painful – just ask my collarbone.

CHS Athletes- 2

Spencer- 0