By DAVID DONAHUE

The South Florida Category 5 Flag Football Team just returned from participating in the 10th annual National Gay Flag Football Championships, Gay Bowl X, hosted by the Phoenix Hellraisers in Phoenix, Arizona. This was their 5th year competing in the tournament, against teams from all over the country. This year, 26 teams from 21 cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Denver, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago competed in this tenth anniversary of the tournament. Cat 5 finished with a 3-3 record having played eventual 5th place finishers, the Phoenix Hellraisers and the 3rd place San Deigo Toros as well as second-year participants, San Antonio in opening round-robin play. They finished 19th over all, beating San Antonio, Phoenix’s 3rd team, the 7th ranked Michigan Panthers and losing to eventual consolation bracket champions, Salt Lake City.

The tenth anniversary of the Gay Bowl featured plenty of firsts, including the inaugural Spirit Cup given to the team that showed the most spirit during the tournament. The award “embodies what every Gay Bowl should be about: sportsmanship, camaraderie, building friendships, developing sister teams, participating in all Gay Bowl events and displaying pride in your team.” Cat 5 won the award and their quarterback, Gary Schrader, dressed in drag, accepted the award on the team’s behalf. The tournament also welcomed the induction of the first-class of the National Gay Flag Football League Hall of Fame. Cyd Zeigler, who cofounded the Gay Bowl and the New York Gay Football League and Jim Buzinski, cofounder of the Gay Bowl and Los Angeles Flag Football became the first inductees. The next Gay Bowl will be held in Houston, Texas, Oct. 7-9, 2011. For more information on the National Gay Flag Football League and the Gay Bowl, visit www.ngffl.com

Cat 5 practices 11 a.m. Saturday mornings at Mills Pond Park on the first field when you enter the part on the right. For more information please check contact David Donohue at Donohue76@hotmail.com. You may also email Cat5Football@yahoo.com to added to the team email and receive updates about practices and team events.