It's a club sport, but the Ultimate collegiate national championships for 2021 were held this past weekend into Monday in Norcom, California. This was delayed to now from the normal spring schedule due to, well, you know. Players who graduated in 2021 were allowed to be eligible to play, which was great. Run by USA Ultimate, it is the highest level collegiate championship. Apparently 18000 athletes at about 800 different colleges participate in the sport. For the championships, there are Division 1 and Divison 3 levels, based upon school size.
Why do I share? Well, my daughter, a Junior at Middlebury, competitive dancer by trade the last decade (and still dancing in college in two different groups), having played her last team sport around the age of 10, is on the team that just won the National Championship yesterday!! She joined the team as a frosh, and was able to move her way up to varsity this past year, although it's a big team and she doesn't get a lot of playing time. But she got some decent PT in the tournament, and even was on the livestream (quarters, semis, finals) and got her name mentioned for making some good plays a couple times. The Pranksters, as they are called, are a fun bunch, but also have some great players, including an All American as an 18 year old. What's wonderful about the win is that they did it while getting all 23 players in the championship game. They are self-coached. As a dad who has coached my son in various team sports over the years, and watched a lot of sports, the willingness and ability to play all your players and win a championship game -- or any perceived important game -- is just, well, rare.
Congrats to the Middlebury men, too, who made the D3 final but lost. Almost pulled off the double.
My wife was able to go, and had a great time. And I've gotta say - Ultimate is a great sport. Athleticism, skill, cameraderie, respect for teammates and opponents, with a rugby-esque kinda sideline and between plays fun element. We are new to it, but have grown a real appreciation for it. Go Pranksters!!
