Anthony Smith (umbrella hat) pumps up a group of Phi Kappa Psi members before Bare on the Bricks on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Sponsored by the Ohio University Student Alumni Board and Phi Kappa Psi, Bare on the Bricks allows students to donate clothing to local organizations, shelters and families by stripping down and running a mile down Court Street in Athens, Ohio.
This past weekend I covered another event encouraging participants to brave the cold to support charity. "Bare on the Bricks: The nearly naked mile," collects clothing for locals in need by having students strip down, donate their clothes and run, nearly naked, down Court Street. 352 People showed up to strip down for charity and the event collected 40 bags of clothing and more than $2,000. Bare on the Bricks is another one of the events I look forward to covering while at school. Although the unseasonably warm weather cut down on the shock value of half-naked students running down Court Street, it was an exciting, quick event to photograph during the weekend.
Antonio Reynolds (wearing horse mask) runs down Court Street with another member of the Ohio University wrestling team. A large group of the wrestling team showed up to run the nearly naked mile, all wearing speedos and briefs.
Jared Zielinski (right) laughs with Carter Phillips (left) before running down Court Street representing Phi Kappa Psi.
Jared Zielinski (right) runs down Court Street with a Phi Kappa Psi flag along with other members of the fraternity during Bare on the Bricks.
Members of Phi Kappa Theta react to the freezing waters of Lake Snowden, located near Albany, Ohio, at the annual Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 8, 2014. The event, co-hosted by Phi Kappa Theta of Ohio Univeristy and the Ohio University Police Department, raises money for the Special Olympics.
This weekend I had the pleasure of covering one of my favorite annual events in Athens county, the Polar Plunge. Participants find sponsors to fund their charge into the icy waters and all proceeds go to the Special Olympics Ohio. All participants are required to raise at least $50. Although attendance to the Polar Plunge was lighter than in past years, probably due to the especially cold weather, the event raised more than $27,000, roughly $2,000 more than in previous years. Before the plunge could commence, a portion of the 8 inches of ice covering Lake Snowden had to be cleared and most of the ice fragments in the water had to be removed. I wore fly-fishing waders and got right up in the action, and also pretty wet, but I had a blast covering the Polar Plunge!
Members of team "Klondike Bears" charge into the icy waters of Lake Snowden during the annual Polar Plunge.
A participant dressed in a full gorilla suit emerges from the icy waters of Lake Snowden during the annual Polar Plunge. Since this year's theme was "get wild about the plunge", many participants dressed up accordingly.
Bianca Blaylis-Blalock, (left), Jessica Pettis (center), Molly Kleman (right) and Kirby Flowers (in pink tutu) experience the frigid waters of Lake Snowden after charging into the icy lake.
Adam Soya throws Hannah Cimperman into the icy waters of Lake Snowden during the annual Polar Plunge.
Ross Perry and a group of his friends participate in a large group snowball fight in front of Nelson dining hall in Athens, Ohio, during Ohio University's second snow day of the semester on Monday, February 3, 2014.
These past two weeks at Ohio University have been absolutely jam-packed. So far, it has been the busiest semester I've had at school. I doubt I'll be getting a whole lot of free time these next few months. Though I've been busy, I've been occupied with a lot of great assignments and experiences at school. These last two weeks I covered a lot of sporting events for The Post, began working with the Soul of Athens team, researched a beat to cover for my Mutliplatform Reporting class, and did a lot of work on a photo story for Marcy's class, which I may be putting up soon. Ohio University has cancelled two days of class so far this semester, which is very rare. It has been bitter cold, but it has made for some interesting shooting conditions.Take a look in pictures at what I've been up to these last two weeks!
Ohio University senior guard/forward, T.J. Hall, goes up against Toledo University junior guard/forward, Justin Drummond. The Bobcats clinched the overtime victory over the highly-ranked Rockets 95-90 on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at the Convocation Center.
Ohio University senior guard, Nick Kellogg, drives up court while guarded by Toledo University freshman guard, Jordan Lauf.
Ohio University redshirt senior forward, Jon Smith, dunks the ball home against Toledo University.
Ohio University junior guard, Stevie Taylor, goes up to the hoop while contested by Toledo University sophomore center Nathan Boothe.
Ohio University junior guard, Stevie Taylor, high-fives fans after the big win over Toledo University.
Ohio University freshman forward, Patrick Spellacy, sits for a portrait in Bird Arena in Athens, Ohio, on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. Spellacy has been an integral part of the Bobcat's line this season.
Ohio University freshman forward, Destini Cooper, drives to the hoop while guarded by Bowling Green University senior forward, Jill Stein. The Falcons defeated the Bobcats 78-62 at the Convocation Center on Thursday, January 30, 2014.
Ohio University redshirt sophomore, Kat Yelle, is blocked by Bowling Green University senior forward, Jill Stein.
Ohio University sophomore guard, Kiyanna Black, dives for a loose ball amid a sea of Bowling Green University players.
Ohio University freshman guard, Yamonie Jenkins, drives towards the basket against Bowling Green University senior guard, Jillian Halfhill.
Ohio University freshman guard, Yamonie Jenkins, goes up against Bowling Green University senior guard, Jillian Halfhill.
Ohio University junior Tywan Claxton grapples with Kent State University sophomore Kyle Bauer. The Bobcats defeated the Golden Flashes 21-16 for the first time since 2005 during their meet held at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio, on Friday, January 24, 2014.
Ohio University redshirt sophomore Spartak Chino gasps for air as he is held in a tight headlock by Kent State University sophomore Ian Miller.
Ohio University redshirt sophomore Spartak Chino (back) holds Kent State University sophomore Ian Miller (front) to the mat.
Ohio University sophomore Kevon Powell sizes up his opponent, Kent State University sophomore Edilberto Vinas.
Jeremy Johnson (left) and head coach Joel Greenlee (right) along with others from the Ohio University wrestling team celebrate Kevon Powell's victory against Edilberto Vinas. The Bobcats defeated the Golden Flashes 21-16 for the first time since 2005 during their meet held at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio, on Friday, January 24, 2014.
