The University of Findlay

They came from 17 Ohio high schools. Four more came from the halls of our hallowed university. Co-ed teams of six, they drove high-powered ATVs off the roof of Shafer Library, scaled the walls Fear Factor 2005

of Old Main in the nude, and met in Henderson to devour piles of raw knockwurst, all in desperate bids for the fastest times.

Ok, while it was in fact called Fear Factor, there were no such obnoxious stunts, and host Joe Rogan was thankfully nowhere to be seen. Instead, contestants dollied barrels across campus, crawled through claustrophobic tubing, and swam the backstroke with a Crisco-plastered melon. In case you missed it, the Oiler Environmental, Safety and Health Organization (OESHO) presented their third ever Fear Factor event last Saturday; a friendly competition pitting the 21 teams in three divisions, against each other, and the clock, in seven highly varied and original events, spanning the entire central campus. At the end of the day, the team with the lowest collective time was awarded a trophy, a free Environmental Safety training class, and the Fear Factor 2005

satisfaction of being crowned 2005 Fear Factor Champions. Senior Environmental Safety and Occupational Health major, Erica Heiser was faced with the daunting task of coordinating the entire day’s events-starting with the kickoff at 9 a.m., to the hamburger and chicken cook-off at the end of the day. "This is the most participants we’ve ever had, so many in fact that we had to happily redo the schedule. So, definitely a success."

Participants not familiar with the ways of OESHO quickly learned some of the tools of the trade in the events, donning a tyvec suit and protective gear, and exploring Brewer’s ‘smoke filled’ hallways in search of an ‘injured’ comrade. "Of course they’re learning at the same time, but it’s really just a fun event in general. They come out here really to compete and have a good time," said Assistant Director of the School of Environmental and Emergency Management, Mike Edelbrock. Sweating heavily from his "Drum Run" stint with the 100 lb. barrel down the sun blazed Frazier Street, Gibsonberg High School Junior Elijah Peck said "I’m not sure about my run just now, but I’m looking forward to the next event they throw at us. So far so good!" While each event focused on a different aspect Fear Factor 2005

of the ESOH major (communication, safety, etc.), one event in particular had little, if anything to do with environmental safety. Croy pool was host to the "Buddy Swim" where raucous participants cheered on their teammates relaying a slippery watermelon from each end of the pool to the other.

While all in good fun, competition heated up for the Bucyrus High team, trash-talking while preparing for the "Computer Whiz" event. "We’re not getting second anymore-we got second last year, this year is revenge!" they echoed. And if not, there’s always next year.

Fear Factor 2005 Results

Graduate Division Winner: "Everest"

Team members from left:
Jasmine Thapa, Kalpana Thapa, Suraj Manandhar, Yogendra Kharbhuja, Hemkala Tamang, and Prakash Karmacharya

High School Division Winner: "Findlay TBA"

Team members from left:
Michael Taylor, Josh George, Craig Hermiller, Jackie Walsh, Annie Donovan, and Brittney Bills (not pictured)