Sailors aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) participated in Mayport’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Sports Challenge on Naval Station Mayport, Fla. April 2-4.

The MWR Sports Challenge was a three-day event that allowed Sailors to get a break from their daily schedule, compete and build camaraderie with other commands on base.

"There are 18 athletic events over the three days,” said Rita Hammerstad, sports coordinator for Mayport MRW.  “Sailors earn points for first, second, third and participation. At the end, we add them up and the winner gets the Captain's Cup."

Some of the events included canoe races, basketball, kickball, beach volleyball and more. Sailors of all ranks and commands on Mayport are able to participate.

"We get all the commands on base together to battle it out in a bunch of different sport events," said Jessy Howard, the Fun Boss aboard USS Iwo Jima. "It's a cool way to boost morale and have some friendly competition."

On the first day, despite the cold and rainy weather, Sailors took part in the canoe race at Lake Wonderwood.

"I haven’t been in a canoe in a long time, so I was a little nervous at first, but we, myself and the other chaplain aboard Iwo Jima, had signed up to come out and race these canoes," said Cmdr. Matt Berrens, a chaplain aboard Iwo Jima. "We saw crews from some of the other ships, so we just got in the water and started paddling our hearts out and had a great time."

After all of the events were complete and the scores were all tallied, Iwo Jima’s team managed to come in second place over all. 

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