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Students battle at Crossfire
By Brandon Siem
 Media Credit: Ching Fung Sam Linhoff locates the target and fires the paintball gun. The paintball game was played at Crossfire Field in St. Cloud Saturday.
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Saturday's pouring rain and sloppy terrain only made the paintball game more entertaining at Crossfire Paintball.
Stumbling through the mud and pretending to be Rambo, students from Holes Hall participated in several paintball games.
Fifteen students split into two teams. The goal was to avoid getting shot by paintballs that can travel at speeds up to 200 mph.
"It doesn't really hurt, except when they shoot too close," first-year student Katrin Pfeiffer said.�
Timid players during the first game were scared to find out if the paintballs would hurt.�Others, dressed in G.I. Joe gear, fed on the sitting ducks like wolves.�
Due to inexperience, a friendly-fire incident occurred in the first game.
"Somebody on my own team shot me in the back of the neck," said Joe Melsness, who organized the event. The person who blasted Melsness was a first-timer who had trouble figuring out how to aim the gun.�The shot was fired only 10 feet away from Melsness.
One of the games the group played involved a team having to grab a flag and carry it across hostile territory.�The craziest person on the team had to try to get to the flag at the enemy's starting point.� Snipers waited around licking their lips in anticipation for someone to stick their head out.
Kamikaze warriors are almost always mowed down.�Players who just want to hide are circled and shot.�Veteran paintball commandos fared only slightly better than beginners.�The winning team usually pinned the opposition into a corner and fired all around them until they got a lucky shot. At the end of a round, green ooze dripped from the skulls of many.����
The paintballs are a Polar Ice Paint product.�These balls are designed for the fall temperatures. The gelatin capsules are non-toxic, water soluble and biodegradable.�The paint washes out of clothing with a little mild soap.�Facemasks are required in order to protect eyes and faces from paintballs.�Gloves are recommended.
The cooler temperatures of October make the strenuous battles a lot more comfortable. Sweatshirts were worn for more padding.
"I like it when the weather is cool, so I don't get all sweaty in my camouflage," junior Matt Kramer said. �������
Groups of eight or more get special deals to play.�Campus residence halls receive the rate of $25 per person. The price includes the rental of a gun and 200 paintballs.� Additional ammunition costs $5 for 100 paintballs.
Paintball action in St. Cloud
Crossfire Paintball is located on County Rd. 75 and 38th Street South and is open seven days a week. A reservation is required to play. Call 320-253-5630 or click to www.crossfire-paintball.com.
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