It’s a sport that is growing in popularity, bringing friends together through good weather and bad, yet is not organized by any school, club or intramural league. It’s ultimate frisbee. “The only reason some one would play ultimate is for fun,” said senior Kristin Gannon. “There’s no pressure and it’s a nice way to be out in the sunshine with your friends.” Longtime players have noticed an increase in numbers during their weekly game of ultimate frisbee at Woodland Park, and attribute this to the sport being outdoors in the sun, along with the diversity of age groups that play. “It’s gotten huge,” said senior Moira McKinnon. “It’s nice to be out in the sun with your friends and there’s everyone from graduates to freshmen playing.” “Sometimes we have enough people to get three teams going and that’s really cool,” said senior Ben Parsons. According to Parsons, teams are comprised of about seven people and it’s common to have more than 15 people when the weather is nice. The object of the game is to score goals by passing the frisbee to teammates down the field and into the goal area. “Some people don’t mind playing when it’s blustery out,” said Parsons. “The big games are usually when it’s nice and sunny out.” For some, the simple experience of being outdoors motivates them to play. “It’s fun having the sun in your eyes and tossing the frisbee to a teammate (to) get down the field and score as many goals as you can,” said Parsons. “It’s a nice relaxed way to go and roll around in the mud,” said Gannon. Not only is ultimate frisbee becoming more popular in high schools, but it has also gained popularity on college campuses, with many colleges even listing it as an intramural sport. “I’ll join an ultimate pack for sure if there is one” at college, said Parsons. “If not, I’ll try to get one going.” “I think that it would be pretty fun to be on a team” in college, said senior Mark Manning. So far female representation in ultimate frisbee has been low, according to McKinnon. “Not many girls play,” said McKinnon. “Guys never throw to me so I end up running up and down the field, but it’s still fun.” Perhaps the most alluring aspect of ultimate is the athletic ability necessary to have fun playing. Said Gannon: “All you have to be able to do is run up and down a field and throw and catch a frisbee, and that doesn’t take much athletic ability.” |
