THE 2003 NORTHEAST OPEN ATLATL CHAMPIONSHIP! After a one year hiatus the Rutland High School Anthropology students are at it again. They are ready to put the 21st century behind them, take up atlatls and darts, and go Cro Magnon at the Northeast Open Atlatl Championship. Let's join them as they practice on the grass beside good ol' Rut Vegas Hi.
	Getting that atlatl ready to throw for the first time isn't easy - you sort of have to balance the dart with your fingertips while you hold the shaft between your thumb and first finger. Chelsea McNeil, Emily Gartner and Katie Stockton need to use a little team effort to get the atlatl loaded.

Stephanie Fielder decides to pass on a helping hand. Instead, she tries to talk the end of the dart into place.

Steph managed to throw the dart - now it's Lauren's turn. Amethyst has some advice but Steph isn't so sure it's good advice.

Heads up! Jamie Olson launches a dart skyward - who's going to catch it?

Now things are getting serious - Eric Dowling is concentrating, "Become one with the dart ... visualize the dart ... breathe ..." "Hmmmm," Eric wonders, "Dart ... rhymes with...?" Kristi Eells (Team Atlatl!) takes a closer look at her grip while Molly Reis moves her into position. "Tailgunner" Chris Wener is looking pretty confident that his throw will bring home the bacon - mammoth bacon, that is!

Ted Lindgren - what a gentleman! - helps Chelsea McNeil position the dart.

RUTLAND RULES! Shawn Horvath - "Hova" - shows a little Raider muscle. As Hans and Frans would say - "Pretty pumpitudinous!" So - this is what the cross-town Neanderthals have to be worried about! Bennet Laderoute and Chris Monson don't feel the need to give a flex, though.

So with atlatls ready we embark for the big event.