The Barometer Online

Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Cory Reed CORY REED | THE DAILY BAROMETER Austin Strickle (right) battles club member "John" for the sliotar with his hurley in a Sunday practice for the Corvallis Hurling Club.

When we hear hurling, most of us think of a late Saturday night after a long week of class and one drink too many, but not for the guys of the Corvallis Hurling Club. They take the field every Sunday to brush up on their hurling skills as well as have an excellent time doing something enjoyable.

Hurling is a sport that started in Ireland about 3,000 years ago. It combines skill, athleticism and a little of your weekend time. This sport that is a cross between lacrosse, hockey, football and baseball is a hard hitting sport that will leave you wanting more.

"[Hurling] is the grandfather to hockey," midfielder Austin Strickler said. "When the Irish came into Canada, they had to adapt hurling to the frozen ponds. It started in the United States many years ago, but just started teams in Oregon in 2001."

Using a wooden stick called a hurley, which takes on the appearance of a long axe, this group of 13 team members sprint the field trying to score points. The field has a goal net like soccer, but also a set of goal posts, like football. You then try to hit the small ball, or sliotar, either into the net or between the posts. The net scores teams three points, while between the posts score them one.

During the game, the team members pass, shoot and run with the ball. They catch the ball and will hit it again with the end of their hurling stick.

Hurling team midfielder Dustin Herron, 29, started the club in July 2008. The Corvallis Hurling Club, or the Benton Brigade, would like to get a club started at Oregon State so they can play teams from across the Pac-10.

Both Stanford and Cal have competitive teams, and USC is trying to get a team started.

"We hope to get a team started at OSU so we can go against the other teams from the Pac-10," Strickler said.

The Corvallis Hurling Club meets every Sunday at Avery Park in Corvallis. If you are a beginner, come at 2 p.m., and you can get hands-on lessons from Dustin as well as the other talented players. Stick around after though, for the scrimmage that will follow the practice.

"When people show up, we are there," Herron said. "We will show them the basics, and if they want to practice with us or do the drills, they're more than welcome to. It's just a good way to get out and do something."

Those interested in the Corvallis Hurling Club, visit mypsace.com/corvallishurling or e-mail them at corvallishurling@gmail.com.



Stuart Ashenbrenner, sports writer

sports@dailybarometer.com

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