OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – Bags flew at the first annual Muscogee (Creek) Nation Festival Cornhole Tournament on June 18. The tournament was held at Dunbar Elementary. The sounds of thuds from bags hitting cornhole boards were rampant across the gymnasium.
The tournament featured intermediate, competitive and advanced divisions. Players were sorted based on their Scoreholio player rating.
It featured first, second and third place awards based on each respective division. Each award included a cash prize.
“It’s really a fun sport and it’s expanded really big within the past couple years.” Eric Taylor said.
Cornhole teams from across the MCN and the state competed in the tournament. Players ranged in age from teens to elders.
Event organizers were ecstatic about hosting Festival Tournaments after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“It just brings everybody back together. We went through the big COVID thing, it kind of separated us from the world for a little while and now that we’re actually able to host something at our Festival again, it’s really good.” Taylor said. “It brings everyone together.”
The tournament was also meaningful this year because it offered a centralized location for players to come together.
“Usually we’re traveling, going to Tulsa and all those areas but it brings back those people we haven’t seen in a while, and it brings them back here to Okmulgee Oklahoma, it’s a good feeling.” Taylor said.
The Festival Cornhole Tournament Division Winners are listed as follows:
Advanced Division:
Champions: Gary Bearpaw and Jacob Foreman
Runners-Up: Katrina Beaver and Adam Roberts
3rd Place: Kaleb Kingfisher & Cameron Kingfisher
Competitive Division:
Champions: Bobby Ballou & Howard Gritts
Runners-Up: Lindsay Bible & Sunni Steely
3rd Place: Phillip Crawford & Logan Slape
Intermediate:
Champions: Barry McKinny & Justin Winship
Runners-Up: Jay Bible & Justin Jackson
3rd Pace: LaTasha Monahwee & Kyia Monahwee
Cornhole is just one of many tournaments offered at the Festival this year. Other tournaments include basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball, and golf.
To see Mvskoke Media’s continuing coverage of the 2022 Festival, visit: https://www.mvskokemedia.com/festival-returns/.
