History Lesson In Cancun

Nov. 25, 2010

Hawkeyes at Tulum Photo Gallery | Hawkeyes at Tulum Video

CANCUN, Mexico – Even though classes for the University of Iowa women’s basketball team are in recess during Thanksgiving break, some of the team signed up for a history lesson Wednesday in Cancun.

Members of the Hawkeye women’s basketball team toured Tulum Wednesday, which is a part of the ancient Mayan civilization. Mayan ruins are scattered over the area, which is set on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The beach at Tulum always appears in numerous publications as one of the top 10 beaches in the world.

The tour was led by a guide from the area, who even sported an Iowa visor given to him by one of the family members in the group. He educated the team on what exactly took place in Tulum, which was mainly occupied between the 13th and 15th century. Coaches and players were then able to spend free time touring the ruins and taking in the breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.

The trip to Tulum was extra special for Kamille Wahlin, as she is a history major at Iowa.

“This was a lot of fun and totally worth the trip,” Wahlin said. “It’s so interesting to see what people did back in that time. They did so many different things like astronomy and engineering. This was a really cool trip.”

Morgan Johnson also enjoyed her time around the Mayan ruins.

“It’s crazy to think about an entire civilization living here,” Johnson said. “Some of the things that went on here are truly amazing.”

Some members of the team stayed back at the resort to take in some snorkeling. The team had its second practice of the trip in the afternoon and then headed to a tournament banquet on the ocean, complete with authentic Mexican dance and music. The night was capped by a fire show on the beach.

Iowa will play its first game of the 2010 Caribbean Challenge tomorrow, as the Hawkeyes face James Madison at 6:30 p.m.