MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL — Sisters, what a weekend. Sunday’s Cub Scouting Combine raised $27,750 for the school, and in so many ways, it raised all of us.
Twenty-two dads paid $500 each to flip tractor tires in the carpool lane for time, and the Grammas covered the rest “so the number would look right.” Fifty-one moms paid nothing to sit in lawn chairs and judge for form. Mom attendance was 100 percent, the highest of any event this year.
The Results
- Tire flip: Chad Whitmore-Vance set a personal record of 41 flips in two minutes. He has asked that it be read into the minutes of the next three PTO meetings. Request granted for one.
- Farmer carry: Bryce Pemberton carried two kettlebells, a pumpkin and his own protein shake across the parking lot. He would like you to know about the protein.
- Sled push: Won by a dad nobody recognized, who turned out to be a Charles Linn parent who saw the sign, thought it looked fun and signed up. He beat everyone by eleven seconds, donated his $500 anyway, shook every hand and went home. We’d love to find him. For the newsletter.
- Pumpkin Toss (new this year): The only pumpkins left were the Napa pumpkins. We’d rather not discuss it. Three are unaccounted for. Tinsley is resting.
The Judging
Our judges scored each dad from 1 to 10 for form. Scorecards were collected at the end and will not be released. Asked to explain the criteria, the judging panel said the scoring was “holistic.” Several judges asked whether Coach Tyler would compete next year. He is not a dad. We know. We were just asking.
The Dispute
Bryce has formally disputed Chad’s record, alleging that one of the 41 flips was “more of a lean.” Chad responded by flipping the same tire in his driveway that evening and filming it. We have the video. We have watched it several times, for the dispute.
The children watched the whole thing from the curb and cheered loudly for everyone, especially the stranger from Charles Linn, who they agreed “was the best one.” They also invented a game called Dad Says, which mostly involved yelling “Flip!” at their fathers. It was the most effective coaching of the day.
Nurse Jaden was on site and treated four pulled hamstrings and one mom who sprained her wrist holding up a scorecard. She asked that next year’s Combine include a warm-up. The committee agreed and will add a warm-up for the judges.
Proceeds will fund the cafeteria protein bar vending machine, as requested by Chad. Nurse Jaden has requested ice packs. Both requests are under review.
UPDATE: The video review is complete. It was a lean. Chad has requested a rematch, a second review and a meeting. All three have been scheduled.