On Friday afternoon, Oct. 31, Manual hosted a pep rally to prepare for the Old Rivalry game between Male High School and Manual.
The pep rally started with the traditional introduction of the seniors into the event, then the Manual football team entered. The YPAS choir sang the national anthem. Afterwards, Principal Micheal Newman came out to announce who was leading in the spirit stick points. The juniors and sophomores were tied in last while the seniors and freshman were tied for first.
The step dance team came out next to perform, followed by the relay race. After that, the Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) champion came out onto the gym floor. He offered anyone that could beat him in a wrestling match would receive free tickets to the next OVW match. Then, he tackled a plush bulldog before tearing it to shreds with the help of an assistant and leaving the gym.
Afterwards, a sumo match between a junior and a freshman. The game ended quickly with the junior slamming the freshman onto the mat and winning. Soon after, the Ramstock winners Arrhythmia performed “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” by Fall Out Boy.
Following this was an eating contest between grade levels with the juniors winning. Then came the arm wrestling match between a student and the OVW wrestling champion. Early on the student appeared to be injured and was rushed out of the gym. Newman sat down in front of the OVW champion before slamming his arm down in a quick motion.
The junior powderpuff dancers performed a routine followed by the senior powderpuff dance team performing theirs. Then came the second sumo match between a senior and a sophomore. The match up was close, but the senior ended up winning.
The ruler relay race followed, consisting of the runner spinning in a circle and then running to the other side of the gym to grab something in a bowl with their teeth before running back for another person to start the process over again, and the freshman won. Next came the final sumo matchup between a junior and a senior. The junior ended up securing the victory and welcomed in the closing event, the final announcement of spirit stick points and the Red-White cheers.
The last tally had the seniors in first, followed by the freshmen, then the juniors and, lastly, the sophomores. The first Red/White cheer face off was between the freshmen, who were red, and the sophomores, who were white. The freshmen won and advanced to the finals. Next was the juniors and the seniors. The seniors won, and the freshman beat them in the finals.
The seniors won the most points overall and were awarded the spirit stick.
