Governor’s School students plan to stage world-record dodgeball game

Beware of flying balls this afternoon at Maggie L. Walker Governor's School. Two seniors are organizing what they hope becomes the world's largest dodgeball game.

Wil Van Winkle of Richmond and Carter Hadley of Chesterfield County are rallying their classmates and teachers to help break the world record of 120 participants set on March 13 by Portlethen Academy in Portlethen, Scotland.

Van Winkle said they are limiting participants to Maggie Walker students and staff; through Wednesday, 180 people had signed up for the record-breaking attempt. Total enrollment at the school is about 700.

"I've been going around signing people up, drumming up interest around the school ever since the school year started," he said.

The teens' effort comes before tomorrow's Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball Tournament at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Tournament organizers hope to break the record as well.

While a Guinness World Records official won't be on hand, Van Winkle and Hadley know the procedures to make sure the feat can be verified.

They will send Guinness a video of the game, a logbook of the participants and a signed, notarized statement.

Van Winkle and Hadley say the recognition belongs to Maggie Walker.

"I think it will be a really great thing, but it would really be like the school setting the record. You obviously can't set the record for world's largest dodgeball game by yourself," Van Winkle said.

The game is set to begin after school today, and could last 30 to 45 minutes.

If they break the record, the certificate they receive will remain with the school.

"It's just another way to leave our mark at Maggie Walker," Hadley said.

Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .