Freshman put to the test in YSU's Outdoor Rec Experience

Youngstown

Ashley Martof of Mineral Ridge kept smiling even as her legs wobbled, walking across the ropes suspended inside the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Martoff was one of 10 students participating in Youngstown State University’s Freshman Outdoor Recreation Experience. The event for incoming YSU freshmen runs through today.

“My legs felt like Jello,” she said.

The students braved the high ropes course Friday afternoon, walking across floating balance beams, ropes and tires strung

together, all suspended about 16 feet above the gymnasium floor.

Michael Bowman, administrative assistant for YSU’s campus recreation and student programming, said this marks the third year for the FORE program, which runs again Aug. 19-20.

“It gives them the opportunity to meet other incoming students and to make friends,” he said.

The students were to spend the night in the wellness center and spend today kayaking along the Mahoning River from Lowellville into Pennsylvania. Climbing the rock wall inside the center and a geocaching scavenger hunt also were on the program agenda.

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