Students stack up, break Guinness World Record

  • Published
  • By Airman James B. Bauer
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Sixty Sollars Elementary School students helped to break a Guinness World Record here, Nov. 18.

"The STACK UP! sport stacking event started about five years ago," said Coach LC Woodard, the physical education instructor at Sollars Elementary School. "The World Sport Stacking Association is trying to set a new Guinness World Record for the most number of people sport stacking at multiple locations in one day."

Sport stacking involves specially-designed cups, called Speed Stacks, which are stacked in various, predetermined pyramid formations. Participants of the sport compete individually or in teams, either against the clock or another competitor.

"I first heard about sport stacking in a PE workshop about six years ago," said Coach Woodard. "I use it in the PE program to promote hand-eye coordination, quickness and ambidexterity."

Beginning in 2006 with 81,252 people, the sport stacking record has grown every year. The 2009 Guinness World Record is 276,053 people, and this year's goal is to reach 300,000 people worldwide.

"I heard my gym teacher announce we could sign up for sport stacking," said Corey Trussell, a 10-year-old Sollars Elementary School student. "I'm getting better and better and, now I'm never going to stop."

Corey, who has been at Misawa for four years, travels to compete in sport stacking tournaments. He won second place at a sport stacking competition in Tokyo in April 2009.

"I like it. I feel famous a little bit," said Corey.

2010 is the first year in the last five Coach Woodard has not held an after-school sport stacking club.

"I have had 35 students in past clubs," said Coach Woodard. "I am hoping today revives the club. Sport stacking is something anyone can do."

As of today, there are 316,757 verified stackers and counting, 60 of whom were students from Sollars Elementary School, breaking last year's Guinness World Record of 276,053 people sport stacking at multiple locations in one day.