By Collin Shay - Ultimate is a sport that is growing quickly in America, and that has recently spread to Darien High School. Thanks to sophomore Andy Mogenson, unofficial coach and intern Mr. Joseph Stadel, and coach and staff adviser Mr. Kyle Marian, the DHS Ultimate team is up, running, and throwing to get ready for next year.
Ultimate is played on a 40 by 70 yard field. The object of the game is to catch the disk in the end zone, without being able to run with the disk in hand. Teams play seven on seven, throwing forehands and backhands in a similar style to tennis. The game is played to 15 points, with a two hour time limit.
While Ultimate is not a CIAC sport, there are up to 20 clubs in the state. The current DHS team is made up of 11 sophomores and one freshman. “Our goal for the fall is to start scrimmaging other teams, and then the season starts in the spring,” Mr. Stadel said.
Darien High School first acquired an Ultimate team when Andy Mogenson approached Mr. Stadel about starting up a club. Now they practice three times a week, and have grown as a team. “Everyone’s improved this year, and that was our main goal,” Mr. Stadel said. “You can find a spot for anyone in this sport. It’s about effort and practice.”
Mr. Stadel played Ultimate for five years at the University of Connecticut, and another four years in Club Ultimate.
“The culture of ultimate is very inclusive. There are no referees, everything is self called, and this makes up what is called the spirit of the game. Because while the sport is very competitive, there’s also a respect that comes with it.”
While the Ultimate team won’t be competing this year, look out for them in Spring 2012.
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