Northeastern State University - Tsa La Gi Yearbook (Tahlequah, OK)

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Me Phe early morning fog lifted as the sun crept out on this last day of an Oklahoma summer. At Riverside Camp, 275 eager participants waited for the First Annual NSU Illinois River Relay Race to begin. Race officials Steve Buzzard and Brad Agnew checked canoes and marked them with official race indentification. Oklahoma Scenic River Commission representatives who helped sponsor the race with NSU and the Illinois River Association, were on hand to greet contestants. Ed Brocksmith, race coordinator and NSU public information director, made last minute preparations. High school, college and news media teams huddled in final strategy sessions as they sized up fellow competitors. The scenic Illinois River seemed to ignore the proceedings. Lloyd Slagle took the microphone to give final instructions. The anxious teams were advised what to do in an emergency. Timekeeping rules were given. Canoes would be launched at one minute intervals. From the far end of the camp, the University of Arkansas ROTC team gave a famous “soooeeepig!” yell. The NSU band struck a motivational note for their teams. Equipped with life preservers, paddles, trash bags and school pride the canoeists attacked the river one after another. The crowds cheered and the race was on. Fate struck early when the second canoe launched, NSU ROTC I, capsized about 50 feet from shore. Wet but enthused, the crew made a quick recovery to get back in the race. The first leg of the 14-mile relay took the canoeists from Riverside to Hanging Rock Camp five miles away. Two fresh team members took over the paddle at Hanging Rock. For many, the race was lost at the relay points. Canoes had to be emptied of water accumulated along the way and team members struggled to escape from life jackets that had to be passed to the next crew. The next destination for the teams was another five miles down river at Eagle Bluff Camp. Teams had to leave their canoes to deal with low water in one spot on this stretch. One innovative crew decided to walk their craft ashore after capsizing a few yards from the relay point. The final crew took the paddles at Eagle Bluff to battle the river four miles to the finish at War Eagle Floats. While the remainder of the participants gave one final push to gain a minute or two on the leaders, the “River Drifters” soaked up the sun and refreshments. This category had been created for those who wished to avoid the agony of defeat without the thrill of victory. The “River Drifters” were true connoisseurs of the Illinois River beauty. pene SNEED is 15