Griz Ready to Defend Hurling Championship Title on Home Turf
The Special Olympics aren't the only sporting event going on in Missoula this week.The Hurling National Championships are in town too.
Irish Exchange Student Naiose Waldron says it was a surprise for nearly everyone that Montana Grizzlies Hurling won the Hurling National Championships in its first attempt last year.
"We won the National Championship and were given the opportunity to host it, so we are hosting it this Saturday and Sunday at Washington Grizzly Stadium," Waldron said. "Nobody really gave us much of a chance last year, you know, everyone was like 'look at those guys from Montucky' We took them by surprise and by Sunday everyone knew who we were. Now they know from the start, so it's going to be a real good weekend."
UM student Chad Ireland was part of that national Championship Team despite never having played the game in his life before he saw it at the UM. He says lots of practice is what gave the Griz an edge last year.
"It takes a lot of practice," Ireland said. "It combines skills from so many American sports. It takes a bit of getting used to. I didn't play it myself, but what I see that transfers over real well is lacrosse, which is getting a lot more popular with the younger crowed. Anyone who likes lacrosse should pick-up a hurl and try it."
The hurling National Championships are elimination games, so it is nigh impossible to know exactly who will play against who and at what time. Washington Grizzly Stadium will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23 and games will start at 11 a.m.