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USA cupstackers entertain kids at Youngstown church camp
By LINDA M. LINONIS
linonis@vindy.com
YOUNGSTOWN
It’s one of those things you have to see to believe. The sport of cup stacking happens in the blink of an eye.
Andy Innocenzi of Cortland, a member of Team USA cup stackers and a Youngstown State University student, demonstrated the activity to about 40 children attending the summer day camp Tuesday at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 420 Clearmount Drive.
Cup Stacking Champion
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It’s one of those things you have to see to believe. The sport of cup stacking happens in the blink of an eye. Andy Innocenzi of Cortland, a member of Team USA cup stackers and a Youngstown State University student, demonstrated the activity to about 40 children attending the summer day camp Tuesday at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 420 Clearmount Drive.
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Andy Innocenzi of Cortland, a member of Team USA cup stackers, demonstrates the speed of sport stacking to participants in this week’s summer day camp at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Youngstown. Innocenzi, 19, has seven Ohio records in his age division and one national record.
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Savannah Kitchen, 6, of Youngstown gets a reaction from Christine Innocenzi, 9, right, as she fumbles a cup while practicing speed stacking after a demonstration Tuesday by Andy Innocenzi, a member of Team USA sport stackers. Other campers watch. Andy’s siblings assisted at the program and also include Laura, 16, and Anthony, 11.
Amid comments such as, “How does he go so fast?”
Innocenzi flexed his hand-eye coordination and concentration for the campers and staff. It was a sight to behold, and after the demonstration, campers were invited to see how they stacked up in the sport.
Cup stacking, also known as sport and speed stacking, is an individual and team sport in which participants stack and unstack 12 specially designed plastic cups in predetermined sequences.
To accomplish the task, stackers must be nimble, focused and quick.
Innocenzi, 19, wearing a Team USA shirt with the phrase “get crackin’ get stackin’” on the sleeve, told campers and staff cup stacking is recognized as an official sport and is growing rapidly. He received a cup-stacking kit as a Christmas gift, and he’s been stacking since 2008 and drawing others into the sport.
The sport involves 12 cups to be stacked in a 3-3-3 configuration, that is, two cups side by side with a third on top; the 3-6-3 with two stacks of three cups and one stack of six; and the cycle, stacking in the 3-6-3 formation then two 6-cup stacks. It’s stacking and unstacking the cups as fast as possible. If cups tumble, it’s a scratch.
Innocenzi competes in the 19- to 24-year-old collegiate category. He has seven Ohio records in his age division and one national record.
He has this year’s collegiate record at 2.65 seconds for the 3-3-3 and has done the 3-6-3 in 3.31 seconds. He said time is gauged by the cycle stacking and his is 9.69 seconds.
Innocenzi’s speed and dexterity was noticed by Team USA coach Pola Metz at a competition. She said she recruited him not only for the team but to promote the sport at YSU.
He participated in the 2011 World Sport Stacking Association’s competition in April in Dallas, where Team USA placed second in the collegiate division.
The four-person team had the fastest time of 20.54 seconds in the 3-6-3 relay.
“The sport is about hand-eye coordination, focus and concentration,” Innocenzi said.
The exercise science major at YSU said the sport promotes activity among youth that doesn’t involve a computer.
“It’s cheaper than an Xbox or Play Station,” he said. The prime age for stacking is from 7 to 14 years old, he added.
The cup-stacking demonstration intrigued campers Diamond Hayes, 10, said she couldn’t believe how fast Innocenzi’s hands moved. Ryan McKinney, 14, said it was “awesome,” and said he thought he could do it once he practiced. Tyrone Peakes, 14, said it’s something that takes time to learn but was fun.
Innocenzi offered to help form a team at the church.
Loisjean Haynes Paige is director of the summer camp, which is in its fourth year. Darlene McKelley coordinates crafts and Selena Cotton, music. The two creative areas complement the theme of the vacation Bible school program, “Son Surf Beach Bash.”
Haynes Paige said the four-day program for 6- to 15-year-olds is faith-based.
The director said the program revolves around teaching the youth about Jesus. “You don’t have to text, Twitter or call him. He’s always there,” she said of the message teachers try to get across to the young people.