Jamie Douglas

As many people in Rochester were enjoying one of the first nice days of spring, the RIT Spudheds were unleashing their impressive Ultimate Frisbee skills. RIT participated in a tournament hosted by SUNY Geneseo in Genesee Valley Park on Saturday, April 25 through Sunday. Due to the large number of players, the Spudheds fielded two teams for the tournament: a rookie team, consisting of mostly freshmen, and a more experienced team with veteran players.

Saturday had the potential for difficult Ultimate conditions; the gusts of wind blew almost everything over, including a few players. “The wind is miserable. It makes you play your best. Throws have to be calculated rather than [just] hucking it deep,” remarked Charlie Fuehrer, the team’s captain. Fuehrer, a third year Criminal Justice student, warned his fellow players against simply hucking or throwing the disc long, so as to improve the team’s strategy. RIT went on to win 12-11 in what was by far the Spuds’ closest game.

Ultimate has been a popular college past time and is presently gaining recognition as a legitimate team sport. It utilizes an end zone similar to football, traveling with the disc is not allowed as in basketball, and agility is key just as it is in soccer. Games are self-officiated, which keeps in mind the fundamental rule of Ultimate: the spirit of the game. Clem Pin, a third year Mechanical Engineering major, said, “Spirit of the game is what makes Ultimate different ... It’s like following a book of rules without having someone outside [refereeing].”

As the experienced players battled against Geneseo, the rookie team donned blue jerseys in their game against Bard. Fielding two teams allowed for new players to gain more understanding of game situations and steps outside of practice. The rookies struggled to complete effective passes and close in on scoring points. They were frustrated, but they continued to improve their throws, which resulted in a win against Bard College.

Taylor Simpson, a first year Biomedical Sciences major, commented on how Ultimate plays a large role in her life. The team practices four to five times a week, spending most weekends at tournaments across the state. During the winter, the team plays Ultimate indoors to keep in shape. Spending this amount of time together helps players become accustomed to one another so that they can play fluidly in games and tournaments.

Playing multiple games in one day takes a lot of energy out of players. Games typically go to 11 or 15 points, where each point involves running at least 70 yards to get to the end zone. The sweat and anguish on the Spuds’ faces as their soccer cleats dig into the ground for that burst of energy to get to the disc is quite apparent. Thom Siegwarth, a fourth year Electrical Engineering student, remarked that “practice and subbing often” help maintain players’ stamina during long stretches of Ultimate. Simpson added that “cheers are a big part of playing” and motivation during games.

The veteran team went undefeated on the first day of the tournament while the rookie team won two out of three games. Sunday proved to be equally as successful for both teams. The more experienced team breezed through points on both days with their quick and calculated throws. Each player was mindful of where his or her teammates were on the field and searched for the best spot to throw despite the chaotic scrambling and shouting. Even the Spuds’ long throws were successful since there was usually someone striving to reach the disc in the end zone.

The final matchup included both RIT teams but, rather than playing against each other, they decided to each play the runner-up teams. This choice reflected the nature of the team and Ultimate by including as many people as possible rather than focusing only on winning. Strategically, playing against other teams allows the Spuds to learn from other players’ styles.

After two days and dozens of games, RIT took first and second place at the Geneseo Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. While it was a smaller scale event, RIT gained significant experience and pride. The Spuds’ support, vigor, and sportsmanship carried them through the tournament. Both seasoned veterans and rookie first years gained a better understanding of Ultimate as they endured wind and fatigue. With the RIT Spuds’ dedication to the game and each other, the team shows promise of remaining strong for future seasons.