Although classes have resumed, Frisbees are still more common than books in backpacks of the members of Ultimato, OSU’s Ultimate Frisbee team.
The short games between classes are not only quick practices for the club members but also a recruitment method.
Ryan Schultz, a mechanical engineering and technology sophomore, threw a Frisbee for the first time Monday. He was hesitant about throwing in front of experienced players, but Schultz said he found only encouragement.
“I was a little scared because I had never done it before, but then I got out there and it was fun,” Schultz said. “It doesn’t matter if you mess up or make a fool of yourself.”
Ultimato is searching for players with experience and new players like Schultz. The team will have a booth in the Colvin Center on Thursday, Aug. 30 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to generate interest.
Daniel Fritz, one of the presidents of Ultimato, said no one should hesitate to try the game if interested. Fritz said there is no such thing as a bad throw from a new player.
“We are always looking for people to come out and throw with us,” Fritz said. “The problem we have had in the past was not having enough players. People are often skeptical about the sport.”
Fritz, who has played on Ultimato for five years, said skepticism often turns to interest for new players once they have seen the game in action.
“Ultimate is a fairly simple game once you have come out and actually seen it,” Fritz said. “There are two teams with seven players each. The field is about the size of a football field with two deep end zones.”
Players pass the Frisbee across the field to teammates.
The player in possession cannot move with a Frisbee, but can pass it to others. Players earn points when the Frisbee makes it into the team’s end zone.
Fritz said the team has shown substantial improvement over the past four years.
Ultimate Frisbee not only offers a place for players with little experience but also provides a competitive aspect for more serious players.
Katy Brown, the other president of Ultimato, said the team starts slowly and works up to a more professional level for people who want to play competitively and aggressively.
“There’s room for people who want to be competitive and for people who just want to have fun,” Brown said.
While there is a place for anyone, the team is bringing the competition level to a higher standard this year.
Luis Montes, a Stillwater resident who has been playing for 22 years, helps coach Ultimato. Montes said the team has been working on improving skills and maintaining a more professional image.
“We are working on getting the new players to have two or three different throws,” Montes said. “We want the returning players to have more advanced throws.”
Montes said the team has steadily improved over the past five years.
Returning member David Burns, a secondary education sophomore, said Ultimate Frisbee is aggressive and competitive, but there is no bad blood between teams.
“People aren’t mean to each other in Ultimate. You are going to hang out with a team you played later that day,” Berns said. “You don’t want to be jerks to them.”
Berns said the friends he has made while competing span the United States. The team travels to Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Georgia and Nebraska for competitions.
“It’s a great way to meet people,” Berns said. “We have people from all over the U.S on our team.”
The OSU and University of Oklahoma teams compete against each other regularly. Berns said the traditional rivalry between schools is absent in Ultimate Frisbee. The relationship between the teams is amicable, he said.
The team’s first tournament, Rookie Ride, is Sept. 15 in Tulsa. To watch the team play closer to home, go to the Bruise and Bruises tournament at OSU on Oct.27.
For more information, visit the booth in the Colvin or go to http://www.orgs.okstate.edu/frisbee/.
Loading ...
All Articles