Little Trike Hundred kicks off week of Little 500

High winds, loud music, crazy costumes and fruit smoothies set the scene for Kappa Alpha Theta’s Little Trike Hundred on Sunday afternoon.\nThe Assembly Hall parking lot was crowded with people dressed in outfits that ranged from Peter Pan and Tinkerbell to Colts jerseys. A DJ played music while Maui Wowi sold smoothies and coffee at a refreshment stand. Participants dressed in bright blue shirts that sported the race’s motto, “If you can’t bike it, trike it,” mingled with spectators who came to cheer on friends and housemates.\nThis is the first year the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority decided to bring back a past tradition. The event, originally called the Mini 500, started in the 1955 when a women’s race didn’t exist in the Little 500. The last year the trike race occurred was 2002.\n“It was originally the women’s trike race because women couldn’t participate in the actual (Little 500) race,” said Maria Stopper, vice president of public relations for Kappa Alpha Theta.\nWith the rebirth of the tradition came a change in the rules. This year’s teams were co-ed, each consisting of two females and two males. \n“We’re really trying to involve the whole campus. We want to help kick off Little 500 week by bringing back the tradition of the Little Trike Hundred,” Stopper said.\nOrganizers were happy with the event turnout and considered it to be a success. Twenty-six teams participated this year.\n“We’re really excited about the turnout,” Stopper said. “There were more teams than we thought we’d have. I’d have to say it was a success,” she added.\nTeams registered for $50, and spectator tickets cost $3 each. Members of Kappa Alpha Theta were in charge of recruiting and coaching teams, as well as selling tickets to the event.\nMoney raised through registration fees and ticket sales benefits Court Appointed Special Advocates, which is Kappa Alpha Theta’s national philanthropy project. Part of Maui Wowi’s proceeds from smoothie sales went to the organization as well. As of Sunday evening, organizers estimated they raised about $2,000.\nCourt Appointed Special Advocates is a network of volunteers who act as liaisons between the court systems and abused and neglected foster children in need of permanent homes.\nThe race worked similarly to a single-elimination tournament. The first round included nine heats with three teams each, with the winning teams moving on to the semifinals. Of the nine semifinalists, the top three teams moved on to the championship race.\nEach individual race included eight laps, with each team member responsible for riding two of the laps. The team that finished first was declared the winner. \nIn the end, Team Pi Kappa Alpha Theta took home the coveted “golden tricycle” trophy. They beat out Team Kappa Sig and Team Phi Sig, which came in second and third place respectively.\nDressed as Disney characters, Erik Autajay and Mark Fosco of Pi Kappa Alpha, and Alana Barbato and Jenna Canal of Kappa Alpha Theta made up the winning team. \n“We wanted to help raise money for CASA and to have the glory of knowing that we won the Little Trike Hundred,” Autajay said.