Appalachian students took to the cold water last Thursday at Duck Pond, all for a good cause: helping the Special Olympics. Dewey Mullis | The Appalachian

As students gathered around Duck Pond for the annual Polar Plunge lastThursday, several students took inspiration from a recent incident: the Mustang that plunged into the pond Jan. 28.

Several employees of Appalachian's student-run radio station 90.5 WASU dressed up as characters from Mario Kart - although they'd decided to do so before the crash, Promotions Director Courtney Armstrong said.

Others joked about the earlier incident throughout the day of the event.

"I told someone that I was doing the Polar Plunge and they told me to not get hit by a car," appropriate technology graduate student Kacey Hoover said.

This year's Plunge registered 142 jumpers, down from 200 in 2011. Donations are still being collected from corporate sponsors, but the fundraising total stands at $8,234 for now, Watauga County Special Olympics Coordinator Keron Poteat said. Proceeds will benefit the Special Olympics.

For other students, Polar Plunge is more of a Bucket List item than a chance to zero in on recent events.

"Polar Plunge is done at Duck Pond because it is a major landmark for the campus," said WASU Station Manager Lauren Brigman, whose station broadcast live at the event. "It allows students to come together and be able to do something fun."

Phi Alpha Delta President Joshua Marklin has jumped at Greensboro's Polar Plunge three times, but jumped into Duck Pond for the first time this year.

"The atmosphere is different here," Marklin said. "It's a lot more open, chill and bigger than in Greensboro. Greensboro gets a lot more media attention from news companies, but since this is a college campus there's more small town popularity."

Marklin said he heard the water was 38 degrees, but it didn't stop him from jumping.

"The Special Olympics is pretty much an all volunteer-based organization," he said. "I've had the chance to work for the Special Olympics and I'm glad to be here and donate money to a great cause. I can't think of anything better to do."

Polar Plunge has been around since 1999, when a group of fraternity members ran into the water and ran out. Since then, it has become a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, University Police Chief Gunther Doerr said.

"The money raised goes to help pay for transportation and uniforms for the Special Olympics athletes," Doerr said. "We used to do several fundraisers for Special Olympics and Polar Plunge became the only fundraiser."

And of course, safety is a main priority on Polar Plunge day. Watauga Medics, divers and other precautions were all in place Thursday.

"We don't want people to get hurt," Doerr said.

Story: KATARINA GRUSS, Intern Lifestyles Reporter
Photo: DEWEY MULLIS, Intern Photographer