How Far Can A Leprechaun Launch? Answer: 56.6 Feet
Milwaukee, WI - They were bruised and broken, misfired and muddy, but the Leprechauns that took part in Saturday’s fundraiser for the MDA still had smiles on their face when all was said and done. It is exactly that Spirit of the Irish which brought the first ever Leprechaun Launch huge success, with Cousins Subs donating $3,000 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) on behalf of the 150 event participants.
The contest challenged participants to throw a giant, stuffed leprechaun doll as far as they could down a runway set up in Pere Marquette Park. The man, woman and child that threw their leprechaun the furthest walked away with $1,000 each in prize money and the bragging rights of “Best Leprechaun Launcher.” Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) students entertained the crowd with Leprechaun Launchers they built from scratch to compete for their own $1,000 grand prize. The winning MSOE team used a bicycle, empty beer keg and a heavy duty tube to engineer a launch which sent one leprechaun doll an astounding 110 feet.
The men's division title was grabbed by student Matt Ollayos who was the very last contestant to throw. He sent his leprechaun 56 feet and 6 inches. Geraldine Mankse celebrated earning the women’s title by jumping up and down and exclaiming she has never won anything. Her impressive toss sent the leprechaun 33 feet and 5 inches. The kids division (12 and under) featured smaller leprechauns for throwing than the adults had. Coming out on top was Bennet Krueger who called on all his strength to send a leprechaun an even 54 feet.
In addition to the first ever Leprechaun Launch, Cousins Subs partners with the MDA to sell Shamrocks for Dystrophy in stores through St. Patrick’s Day. In 2005, Cousins Subs helped raise about $10,000 for the MDA through Shamrock for Dystrophy sales. Nationally, Shamrocks Against Dystrophy, the nation’s largest charitable campaign associated with St. Patrick’s Day, raised more than $11 million last year through the efforts of volunteers, participating businesses and sponsors. Funds raised through Shamrocks support MDA’s vital research and service programs, including summer camps and local clinics.
About Cousins Subs
Cousins Subs is based in Milwaukee, Wis., and is a national sub sandwich chain with stores throughout the Midwest and on the West Coast. The tradition of Cousins Subs started in 1972, when two transplanted cousins from Atlantic City saw the need for an East coast-style sub shop in their new hometown. They patterned their subs after the hoagie, grinder, hero and sub sandwiches they enjoyed back East. And with a dedication to delivering quality subs at fair prices, they opened their first restaurant. From the start, the two used bread baked fresh every morning and insisted on using only the finest, freshest ingredients.
