The fourth annual Gay Bowl flag football tournament was held in Atlanta over Columbus Day weekend, and the San Diego Sharks were on hand to represent America’s Finest City in play between nine teams. This tournament marks the San Diego Sharks’ third appearance at the championship tournament. Joining the growing number of teams competing in the football tournament this year were the Alabama Slammers and the Atlanta Lightning. New sponsors for the tournament included Coors Brewing Company, Coca Cola and Delta Airlines.

The Washington Monuments walked away with their second consecutive Gay Bowl championship trophy. To earn the top honors, Washington defeated the Boston Brawlers 34-33 in overtime when the Brawlers failed on a 1-point conversion that would have sent the game into double overtime.

The San Diego Sharks did not fair so well. The team went 1-3 in the tournament, failing to capitalize on some opportunities to win in two of their games. Playing against the would-be tournament champs, the Monuments, San Diego had a chance to tie things up at the end, but after failing to score on a 2-point conversion, San Diego went down 34-32. Playing against the San Francisco Shockwaves, the Sharks came up 1 point short, losing 33-32, and despite a 14-14 halftime tie, the Atlanta Lightning ran away with the game, beating the Sharks 27-14.

It was announced that next year’s championship tournament, Gay Bowl V, will be held in San Diego, again over Columbus Day weekend.

The founder of the San Diego Flag Football League, Ivan Solis, said that he plans on getting all facets of San Diego’s GLBT community involved in the tournament next year and will expand the format from two days to three. Plans for the weekend also include barbeques and a harbor cruise for tournament participants. As the national gay flag football league continues to grow, 12 to 14 teams are expected to participate in next year’s tournament.

For volunteer or sponsor information, contact Solis at (619) 804-9000.