After a short period of playing ultimate back in 2007, I came back this past year in spring 2010 to play with UWEC SOL. As many might know, the team felt that nationals was finally in their grasp. In the game to go versus Carleton (where I screamed my face off) we lost by 2 points to both time and exhaustion. I saw my teammates play some of their best during that game and I think many can say they left it all on the field that day.
Over the summer I found a new team – Surly Women – to play with. My three sunny humid months were filled with lots of free Surly beer and some of the best throwing advice I could have gotten from anyone. If you don’t know Greg and Perry, let me introduce them to you sometime. They have a ridiculous amount of knowledge and a great vision for ultimate. In just one summer of ultimate my throwing and field vision difference from before was like night and day. I was the person on the field jumping up and down completely forgetting I was in a game because I learned something new, haha.
Last fall, I was injured for much of the season. I had problems with my legs adjusting to so much ultimate. It was quite the learning period for SOL and we found out that our newbies have quite a bit of potential.
During the winter, besides turning the big 23, I threw as much as possible with my reluctant little brother and played an indoor tournament with the Boozehounds. I found out that I’m good at throwing hammer touchdowns!! Haha, one of my new goals is to use hammers effectively during games. They are my favorite.
All in all, my first year of ultimate introduced something that I could channel my passion into. I loved the atmosphere, the people, and the competitive yet respectful attitudes displayed on the fields. It is also helping me get through my last semester of college.
Spring 2011 has so many possibilities ahead, I cannot even begin to explain my excitement. I, as well as a few others, have some big ideas that we want to see take shape for women in the central region.