Rock Creek students are: SPEED STACKERS

By Christina Lent

The Beaverton Valley Times, Nov 21, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Jon House / Times Newspapers

Sabrina Wu practices her cup stacking at Rock Creek Elementary

Rock Creek Elementary School fourth-graders have caught the cup-stacking fever.

Students in Lori Meeks’ physical education classes have spent the last month honing their skills at stacking a set of regulation cups in predetermined pyramid formations and breaking them down in record times.

Monday morning they got their chance to put their cup-stacking skills to a timed test in front of judges to see if they had the speed, coordination and focus to compete for honors in the World Sport Stacking Association’s Oregon Sport Stacking Championships on Saturday.

The school’s gymnasium was buzzing with activity and excitement as students raced through three individual events – the 3-3-3, 3-6-3 and Cycle stack.

“My goal is to improve their ambidexterity and increase their brain function,” Meeks said about introducing the activity to her pupils as she watched the action unfold. “Being able to use both sides of the body helps students perform in both athletics and academics.

“And, for those kids who aren’t good at traditional sports, this is also an activity that gives them a chance to shine.”

Frank Tan, a volunteer instructor and competitive stacker who has been working with the kids, agreed.

“This is a sport where you don’t have to be big, strong or tall to excel – it levels the playing field,” Tan said.

Here’s what Rock Creek fourth-graders think about this growing competitive sport:

Perks of the sport

- “It helps you in basketball because you have to use both hands.” – Harley Jockers, age 9

- “It’s really fun and it helps me to write faster.” – Ben Fung, age 9

- “It helps me with my eye-hand coordination, and this is getting me ready for basketball, which is helping me a lot.” – Marissa Pogorelc, age 10

- “It’s a good training strategy for all sorts of sports like football and swimming, and I recommend it.” – Sean Hazenberg, age 9

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