Ann Arbor ultimate disc team captures 2nd straight U.S. title
Members of the Ann Arbor Hybrid pose for a photo after claiming their second consecutive U.S. mixed team championship.
In a sport that requires top-shelf hand-eye coordination, off-the-charts team chemistry and the ability to perform under pressure, the Ann Arbor Hybrid captured its second straight Ultimate Frisbee U.S. Championship Sunday afternoon in Aurora, Colorado.
The Hybrid — a co-ed team made up primarily of southeast-Michigan residents — outlasted a squad from Austin, Texas, 15-13, in a thrilling contest that was televised live on ESPN2.
The title-clinching point was reeled in by Aaron Bartlett, who exchanged joyful high-fives with his teams second after his trophy-winning catch.
After winning both of its pool-play games, Hybrid won its final three games in dramatic fashion, edging a team from Fort Collins, Colorado, 15-13, in Friday’s quarterfinal round.
Close encounters
On Saturday, Hybrid defeated Drag’n Thrust from Minneapolis, Minnesota, 15-14, before rallying for its two-point victory over Austin.
Rachel Mast led Hybrid in the scoring ledger throughout the tournament with 10 points, one more than Bartlett.
Robert Coffin and Maketa Mattimore both tallied eight points.
Jonathan Mast led the champions with 14 assists, four more than Bartlett.
Self-officiated sports
According to the rules listed on USAUltimate.org, Ultimate is “a non-contact, self-officiated disc sport played by two teams of seven players.”
Goals are scored when a player catches a legal pass in the end zone that player is attacking. Running with the disc is not allowed.
Any time a pass is incomplete, a turnover occurs, resulting in an immediate change of possession — thus the importance of catching the disc while on the run and being defended by an opponent.
Hybrid’s roster consists of the following players: Bartlett, Coffin, Annie Meilink, Ben Lewis, Brittany Wright, Calliope Cutchins, Charlie Vukovic, Chase Cunningham, Courtney Walbe, Dalton Smith (captain), Ian McNamara, Jared Schwallie, Jeff Weis, Jesse Johnson, Jonathan Mast, Katrina McGuire, Laura Gerencser (captain), Lili Hobday, Madalyn Simko, Mattimore, Whitton (captain), Nathan Champoux, Rachel Mast, Riely Kuznicki and Sara Nitz.
Ultimate is played by more than 7 million people worldwide, according to multiple websites.
