CCHS’ Ultimate Frisbee program stresses stress-free competition
The combination of inclusiveness and self-governance is what makes Ultimate Frisbee a go-to activity for so many.
“It’s a sport for kids who don’t have a sport,” says Acton-Carlisle High School Ultimate Frisbee coach Mark Krans.
“You didn’t feel like you could play basketball,” he adds. “You didn’t feel like you were competitive enough to make the lacrosse team or the baseball team, or whatever, but everyone is welcome on the Frisbee field.”
Ultimate Frisbee was introduced as a club sport to CCHS in 2003. This year it became a varsity sport. The combination of inclusiveness and self-governance is what makes Ultimate Frisbee a go-to activity for so many.
“Our team is an open (boys) team and goes to states in that division,” says Sam Agranat, a senior and co-captain, in an email to The Bridge. Though other students are welcome, only boys have signed up for the current team.
Players regulate their own games, referee, make calls, and settle disputes. It’s an inclusive game, one that anyone who is capable of throwing, catching, and running can play.
‘Spirit of the game’
“There are a lot of rules to prevent bad culture or negativity,” says senior co-captain Mike Fink. “In Ultimate Frisbee, there is something called ‘spirit of the game’ — both teams will do whatever they can to make sure that everything is positive.
“There’s a specific role on the team called ‘spirit captain,’ whose entire job, in addition to playing the game, is to make sure it’s a positive environment,” he adds.
Theo Carey, a junior and one of two spirit captains, helps motivate his teammates.
“It depends on the person you’re talking to and the mood,” he says. “It is all about the dynamic. Different teams have different goals. Some want to win, some are in it for improvement, and some for fun. My own mindset is we are here to improve. We’re here to get better and be a team.”
The other spirit co-captain, sophomore Ben Nugent, is responsible for leading cheers and chants to lift the team’s spirit.
Who supports the spirit captains when their spirits are dashed?
“We lean on the team,” Nugent says. “If we need emotional support, one of the team members will help.”
The spirit captains are tasked with settling disputes.
“It’s not always perfect. There might be disagreements,” says senior co-captain Adrien Prioul-Ritz. “The coach is the person who knows the game best. Sometimes the coach will step in if two people are arguing and refocus them.”
Forever Frisbee
Since Ultimate Frisbee became a varsity sport, the team has grown from 15 players last year as a club sport to 21 this year. Seven players, who play both defense and offense, are on the field at a time.
“This year [we] have a core group of people to hold the team together,” Agranat says. “We need that leadership to instruct and build up less experienced players.”
The thrill of being able to catch a Frisbee floating in space does not have a deadline.
“Another cool thing about it,” says Krans, who also teaches mathematics at CCHS, is that “when kids play soccer, most aren’t going to play soccer in college, and when kids play football, most aren’t going to play football in college. Every one of my Frisbee players continues playing Ultimate Frisbee in college. It’s usually a club sport, and they compete in tournaments in the state and beyond. It’s a great avenue where you can be playing competitively forever.”
The season schedule can be found at concordcarlisleathletics.org/teams/5469081/ultimate/varsity-frisbee.
