When I joined SOL three and a half years ago, I had no idea what ultimate was. I was merely looking for something to fill the void that college softball left when my cartilage-free knees were simply too bad to continue to catch anymore. Looking for something to push me the way that softball had, I was torn between rugby and ultimate. My parents talked me out of rugby, saying it would not be a good factor into the knee equation. So ultimate it was.
It was a 6 am indoor practice with six girls. That’s what hooked me. Laying out for a disc on the tile floor of the McPhee gym was exhilarating. Failing miserably at throwing my first forehand throws, not so much.
Much hasn’t changed since then about my feelings towards the game (thankfully my forehand has…). The feeling that I get after completing a huck to my teammate who just layed out for the most ridiculous grab because I put it just a little too far to hit her in stride. Working to get that layout D to help pick up my teammate after a missed opportunity. The excitement of seeing my teammates succeed both on and off the field fills me with a sense of pride that only my teammates can understand.
I am so proud of what SOL has accomplished, not just as a team, but as a program. Working side by side with my teammates to help lay the foundation of a solid program has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences I have encountered in my brief 23-year life. I cannot wait to see what SOL achieves in the future. To look at SOL in the future and say that I was apart of that has made this whole thing worthwhile.
I have had the opportunity to meet some of the most wonderful individuals in my life through the game of ultimate. Luckily, I can continue to keep playing competitively, but it doesn’t change the fact that this was the team that jump-started this passion for me.
Miss you SOL.
<3 Robyn