Magical fantasies became reality when “Harry Potter” enthusiasts from across the South descended upon the Parade Ground on Sunday for the first Quidditch tournament hosted by the University’s team.
Students from 12 universities competed in the Mardi Gras Carnival Cup, in which they played Muggle Quidditch, an adaptation of the sport played in J.K. Rowling’s series of novels where the players run rather than fly and use dodgeballs instead of enchanted ones.
“It’s the biggest tournament in the South to date,” said Rachel Ortego, communication disorders freshman and member of the University’s Quidditch team.
The University of Texas’ team placed first in the tournament, followed by LSU and Texas A&M, placing second and third, respectively.
The winners earned homemade Mardi Gras-themed trophies created by Ortego and filled with traditional Louisiana treats. She said it is a tradition in Quidditch to award winners with homemade prizes.  
Holding the tournament during Mardi Gras weekend was a major selling point in attracting as many schools as possible, said Sarah Kneiling, president of the University’s Quidditch team and agriculture business senior.
Teams paid no registration fee, and the University’s team members hosted people at their apartments to keep costs low for everyone, Kneiling said.
“Trying to get a hotel during Mardi Gras weekend in Baton Rouge is also a hassle,” Kneiling said.
Kneiling said she has been a member of the team since it first started in 2008. She said she was happy to finally host a home tournament.
“We always have to travel to play,” Kneiling said. “It was weird to wake up at my house knowing today we were playing in a tournament.”
The reputation of LSU’s team also attracted numerous other colleges to the tournament, said Brad Armentor, kinesiology junior and member of the team.  
“We haven’t lost a game outside of the World Cup, and we have finished in the top five in the past two World Cups,” said Armentor.
Kneiling said while the team plays a magical game, they play strictly by the rules and exhibit sportsmanship skills to all other teams they encounter.
“I want to be the team that people respect,” Kneiling said.
And while the competition is intense, members of different Quidditch teams are usually easy to get along with, Armentor said.
“We have one of the best rivalries with Texas A&M, but we’re best friends with them, too,” Armentor said.
Mass communication freshman and member of the University of Texas’ team Kenny Chilton called Quidditch tournaments “amazing.”
“It’s a sport for nerdy people, of course,” Chilton said. “But it’s also a sport for the athletic ‘Harry Potter’ fans.”
Ortego said the enchanted group has developed a deep bond.
“The Quidditch team is a family now,” Ortego said. “We even go eat dinner together after practice.”
 
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Contact Claire Caillier at [email protected]