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Levi Bischer takes part in STA...

HOLLY, Michigan – In an attempt to beat last year’s world record of 225,560 simultaneous cup stackers across the globe, Holly Elementary School students gathered in the cafeteria on Thursday to take part in STACK UP! 2009.

Sponsored by the World Sport Stacking Association, sport stacking is termed “a track meet for your hands at warp speed.” Sport stacking is an exciting sport where students up stack and down stack 12 specially designed cups called “Speed Stacks” in predetermined sequences as fast as they can. Stackers race against the clock and compete in relays.

On Thursday, Holly stackers joined thousands of other stackers both in the United States and abroad, attempting to smash the Guinness World Record for the most people sport stacking at various locations around the world.

Holly Elementary School gym teacher Jason McLaughlin says he started students on sport stacking in 2007. A great tool for brain development, McLaughlin says sport stacking promotes ambidexterity, quickness and hand-eye coordination. “More than that, the kids really have fun doing it,” he said.

McLaughlin’s student participants nearly doubled over last year, adding 85 to the Guinness World Record tally for 2009, stacking cups up and down for a full 30 minutes during the event.

As of Thursday afternoon, the WWSA reported nearly 22,000 stackers and still counting. McLaughlin said he expects a final number will be known sometime over the next two weeks.