Tuesday, December 31, 2019

My Greatest Contribution in the Last Decade

Before the calendar is turned to a new year and a new decade, one could argue the greatest contribution this ultimate frisbee blog had in the past decade (2010's) was...

being cited in the Flying Disc Emoji Proposal sent to the Unicode Consortium.


Written by Amsterdam-based Devin Bayer, the proposal for a new sports-related emoji that represents a FLYING DISC, references the Olympics, USA Ultimate, WFDF, Google, and...the Sludge blog post on participation in the sport of ultimate frisbee.

Alongside footnote citations of the IOC and the Sport & Fitness Industry Association, is a link to the October 13th, 2013 post on this blogspot blog on page 1 of Bayer's proposal memo.


The eventual outcome was the flying disc emoji was first seen in August 2018 and is now ubiquitous. What an honor to be tangentially associated with such an important milestone.


Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Art

Starting bid starts at $120,000; will increase if you eat the disc!


Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Brute Math

How many club titles has Boston's women's ultimate team Boston Brüte Squad won?


Brute knows the answer! Three.

Brüte Squad have won championships in  2015, 2016, and most recently in 2019 - their 3rd title in five years.


Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Investigation: Founding Seattle Sockeye

What year was Seattle Sockeye founded?
Trying to find out a definitive answer was more complicated than swimming upstream.

Per Sockeye's Wikipedia page and Facebook: 1990.
Listed in Sockeye's Twitter bio: 1991.


Per Sockeye's team bio on USA Ultimate's Triple Crown Tour portal: 1993

According to Sockeye's website: 1994.


Data for this tweet was sourced from USA Ultimate National Championships site.

With conflicting data, the best answer might be: Seattle Sockeye was founded in the early 1990's.

UPDATE: Sockeye coach Mike Caldwell confirms the year was...1993.
[h/t Jeremy Ziskind]


Monday, October 28, 2019

Results of 2019 USA Ultimate National Championships

USA Ultimate's 2019 Triple Crown Tour concluded in San Diego, California, where 48 qualifying teams competed.

Men
Seattle Sockeye [#1 seed] won their first club championship with a finals win 13-12 (8-4 halftime) over Chicago Machine [#6 seed]. This is Sockeye's fourth national championship title and their first  since 2007.

Mixed
Philadelphia AMP [#3 seed] won their 2nd consecutive club championship with a 15-9 victory (8-6 haltime) over San Francisco Mischief [#6 seed].


Women
Brüte squad [#5 seed] won their third club championship with a 15-7 win over Toronto 6ixers [#4 seed]. This was the fourth matchup between these Northeast region teams.



Thursday, October 03, 2019

Hiring Process Underway for DC Breeze General Manager Position

The Washington, D.C. Breeze are advertising for their General Manager vacancy via Craigslist, Indeed, and online. The position pays between $40,000-50,000 per year. The Breeze finished (7-5) in the 2019 regular season and then lost in the first round of the playoffs.

The full job listing is below:

Job Title: General Manager of Professional Ultimate Frisbee Team
Company: DC Breeze Ultimate, LLC.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Revised: September 2019

DC Breeze Ultimate, LLC is the DC Metro area’s member in the American Ultimate Disc League, founded in 2012 and comprised of 21 teams across the USA and Canada. Founded in 2013, The Breeze have earned a playoff berth in each of the past four seasons and five times overall. The team has been selected to host the 2nd annual AUDL All-Star game in June 2020. DC Breeze is currently seeking a General Manager to be responsible for overseeing successful day-to-day operations of the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

DC Breeze’s General Manager will be responsible for major functions of the organization including:

• Management of merchandise, inventory and sales. This would include determining annual designs, management of the online store, sales fulfillment and inventory count
• Acquisition and retention of partners/sponsors and maintenance of ongoing relationships.
• Management of concession relationships, including annual contract negotiations
• Negotiation and execution of player recruitment and contracts
• Game Day staffing management to include recruitment of game day managers and volunteer pool prior to season. Maintain communication and schedules for all staff and volunteers between games
• Game Day preparation, execution and follow-up including confirmation of venue & special guests, preparation of the game day script, general game day operations oversight, adherence to A/V requirements and Postgame Wrap-up activities
• Management of away games including preparation and execution of travel logistics
• Oversight of production of print, marketing and utilization materials
• Community Liaison to commercial and social organizations to generate group attendance, including contact with non-profits and charity organizations
• Work closely with AUA and Spirit of Sport to maximize awareness and participation in their youth ultimate programs

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The General Manager is a supervisory role.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 4-year college degree and at least 5 years of full-time work experience preferred
• Ability to operate team using sound judgment
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Ability to give direction to others
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Tasks involve some physical effort, i.e. some standing and walking, or frequent light lifting (25-30 lb.); manual dexterity in the use of fingers, limbs, or body in the operation of office equipment. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard.
• Tasks require:
o Sound perception and discrimination
o Visual perception and discrimination
o Oral and written communications ability

JOB EXPECTATIONS
• The job will require evening or weekend work as needed to meet important deadlines or complete time-sensitive tasks.
• Expectations for full-time seasonal effort is as follows:
o 25-30 hrs/wk offseason (32 wks);
o 40 hrs/wk in season (20 wks in spring/summer) + 12 to 14 weekend game days
• The job will require up to 50% local travel with occasional regional and international travel. Valid passport required.

Compensation
• Salary of $40k - $50k per year (depending on work experience) + benefits

To Apply: Send cover letter and resume or please call HR at Spectrum Management @ 202-546-2080


Monday, September 23, 2019

Qualifying Club Teams For 2019 National Championships

All divisions within all 8 regions completed their Regional Championships to determine which club ultimate teams earned a bid to Triple Crown Tour's National Championships in San Diego, California.

Club teams finish within each region/division; (#) = Regional seed
22 out of 24 1-seeds at USA Ultimate Regional Championships qualified for 2019 National Championships. The two "upsets" both happened in the 1-bid Great Lakes Region; mixed division  (Columbus Cocktails) and women's division (Chicago Nemesis).

1-seeded Teams Results at Regionals
Men's Division: 6/8 #1s finished 1st at Regionals; all 8 #1s qualified for Nationals
Lowest seed to earn a bid: Vancouver Furious George (4) in Northwest Region

Mixed Division: 5/8 #1 finished 1st at Regionals; 7/8 1-seeds qualified for Nationals
Lowest seed to earn a bid: Asheville Superlame (7) in Southeast Region.

Women's Division: 6/8 #1s finished 1st at Regionals; 7/8 #1s qualified for Nationals
Lowest seed to earn a bid: Quebec Iris (4) in the Northeast Region

Cities Represented in All 3 Divisions:
Boston
Minneapolis
Raleigh-Durham
San Francisco
Seattle
Washington, D.C.



Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Ultimate Tournament Staff Appreciation Day

Today is Ultimate Tournament Staff Appreciation Day!
From local leagues to national events; from Sectionals to Regionals, from hats to Worlds, ultimate tournaments happen because of hardworking individuals. Tournament Directors (TDs) and their staff do so much – schedule, budget, plan, setup, field lining, feeding, measuring, calling, texting, emailing, confirming, directing, volunteer recruitment, keeping time, air-horning, checking weather, rechecking weather, selling merchandise, hiring trainers, delegating, getting water, finding backup fields (when necessary), cleanup, score reporting and so much more – to organize competition for the sport of ultimate. For these reasons and more, September 18th is a day to take time to appreciate Ultimate Tournament Staff.

Want to celebrate Ultimate Tournament Staff Appreciation day?
  • Post an appreciative message on social media and tag the tournament account.
  • Post a photo of a recent ultimate tournament with a complimentary message.
  • Hug &/or high-five tourney staff if you see them in-person.
Why celebrate Ultimate Tournament Staff Appreciation day?
Join this grassroots movement to publicly recognize these important people in the sport of ultimate. Or, don't; just take for granted the time and energy ultimate tournament staff/volunteers spend so you can play ultimate games.


Thursday, September 12, 2019

Freestyle Competition to Debut at Inaugural World Urban Games

The first edition of the World Urban Games (WUG) will take place September 13 through 15 in Budapest. The WUG promise is to be the ultimate global showcase for a new generation of urban sports. This multi-sport event is planned to be held every two years and will encompass a wide range of activities and events, from sport competitions to showcases and demonstrations featuring music, dance and urban culture.

One of the competition sports of the WUG program is "Flying Disc Freestyle," which WUG describes as: "a cooperative sport that combines the basic game of throw and catch with aspects of gymnastics, dance, martial arts, and other physical disciplines. It's both a creative art and an athletic challenge."

The World Flying Disc Federation's Freestyle Committee, in consultation with the Freestyle Players Associationselected 12 mixed gender Freestyle teams (pairs) from 9 different countries. They are:
1. Juliana Korver/Ryan Young (USA)

2. Emma Kahle/Daniel O’Neill (USA)

3. Bianca Strunz/Fabian Dinklage (GER)

4. Ilka Simon/Waldemar Wagner (GER)

5. Maxine Mittempergher/Edo Turri (ITA)

6. Anna Bragagnolo/Andrea Rimatori (ITA)

7. Joakim Arveskar/Vendella Arveskar (SWE)

8. Meirav Pinhas/Yuval Reikoren (ISR)

9. Benedicte Audet/Brett Schramek (CAN)

10. Marysia Ryszarda Krajewska/Kuba Radwanska (POL)

11. Sophie Rickers/Gordon Brown (GBR)

12. Paola Andrea Garcia Palaez/Pablo Azul (COL)


Freestyle is sharing the same venue as 3x3 basketball. View the full schedule.


Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Chart: 2019 USAU Triple Crown Tour Regional Bid Allocations

The 48 bids to USA Ultimate Club Nationals were allocated to the 8 geographic regions. The Northeast region earned the most bids with 10 (3 in Men's + 3 in Mixed + 4 in Women's). Teams will be vying for one Nationals bid in 8 competitions - Great Lakes Men's, Mixed Women's; Mid-Atlantic Women's; North Central Men's, Mixed Women's; and South Central Women's.

Region(s) with the most bids...
in the Men's Division = Northeast, Northwest (3 ea)
in the Mixed Division = Northeast, Northwest (3 ea)
in the Women's Division = Northeast (4)


Compare to last year.

[Data via USAU; chart compiled by SLUDGE]


Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Elizabeth Mosquera Wins 2019 PUL MVP

Congratulations to Elizabeth Mosquera (Medellin Revolution) for winning the 2019 Premier Ultimate League Most Valuable Player (or "M.V.PULayer").

Mosquera led the league as +27 in +/- and 16 D's. Mosquera was 2nd in most points played (124). According to PUL stats, Mosquera caught 100 passes - including 16 goals - and only dropped 1. She also helped her team Revo win the inaugural Premier Ultimate League championship.  





Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Deschutes Brewery Named Title Sponsor of AUDL 2020 Season

Brewery not named Surly to be title sponsor of AUDL 2020 season.

Deschutes (pronounced Da-Shootz) Brewery was announced as the presenting partner and official beer of the American Ultimate Disc League in 2020. AUDL 2020 jerseys will have the Deschutes insignia on them as well. Ultiworld reported the 1-year deal was low to mid six figures brokered by Maestroe Sports & Entertainment.

Deschutes, the 10th largest craft brewery in the United States, is headquartered in Bend, Oregon - a state where AUDL plans to start a team. They also have a presence on the East Coast with a tasting room in Roanoke, Virginia. The etymology of the brewery's name is the Deschutes River, in central Oregon, which is a major tributary of the Columbia River.

Minnesota Wind Chill are currently owned by Surly Brewing, the 34th largest U.S. craft brewing company. Surly is also a long-time supporter of masters ultimate teams in the Twin Cities which are named after, sponsored, and suds supplied by the brewery.

Current advertising shows Deschutes Brewery appealing to ultimate players:


Only one team - Detroit Mechanix - out of the 21 AUDL teams in 2019 season play at a high school, which will definitely impact Detroit's ability to serve Deschutes selections; Detroit played at Grand Rapids Christian High School in past seasons.

Of note, Cleats and Cufflinks podcast [episode 44; April 2016] indicated that a Major League Ultimate would not accept a "vice" brand (e.g. beer, alcohol, tobacco) as a jersey sponsor because of inappropriateness message to youth. They could sponsor the league, just not the jersey.  MLU folded after their 2016 season.


Sunday, August 11, 2019

New York Empire Win AUDL 2019 Championship

New York Empire won the American Ultimate Disc League 2019 championship today over Dallas Roughnecks. The Empire went (12-0) in the regular season, won the East Division Championship, their semifinal at AUDL Championship Weekend 8 and the championship game to post an undefeated season at (15-0).
This is New York Empire's first AUDL title.


Friday, August 09, 2019

AUDL Championship Weekend 8 (2019)

The final 3 games of the American Ultimate Disc League 2019 season will take place this weekend at the AUDL Championship Weekend. AUDL's 8th season began in early April.

The final four teams out of 21 AUDL teams advanced to the AUDL Championship Weekend. New York Empire (12-0; 1-0) returns for the 2nd consecutive trip, Dallas Roughnecks (8-4; 1-0) return for their 4th time in a row, Indianapolis AlleyCats (8-4; 1-0) return for the first time since 2012, and San Diego Growlers (10-2; 1-0) advance for the first time in franchise history.

Three division champions advance to AUDL Championship Weekend along with perennial South Division champion Dallas Roughnecks, who won over the top seed in the South Division Championship game - the only upset by seeding in the AUDL playoffs.


The Championship Weekend returns to California. This time, though, it's not at the 18,000-seat Avaya Stadium (like in 2015); the championship games will be played at the football stadium of Foothill Community College, with ~5500 capacity -- the home field of the San Jose Spiders.


Thursday, August 08, 2019

History of AUDL Championship Locations

The American Ultimate Disc League championship is this upcoming weekend in California. It's the 8th annual championship in AUDL history.

Below is a history of each AUDL championship's location.
2012: Detroit, MI @ Pontiac Silverdome

2013: Chicago, IL @ Lane Tech High School Stadium

2014: Toronto, ON @ Varsity Stadium One

2015: San Jose, CA @ Avaya Stadium

2016: Madison, WI @ Breese Stevens Field

2017: Montreal, QC @ Claude Robillard Sports Complex

2018: Madison, WI @ Breese Stevens Field

2019: Los Altos Hills, CA @ Foothill College Stadium

Hosting of AUDL Championship by Division
 AUDL Division  Qty
 Midwest  4
 East  2
 West  2
 South  0


Wednesday, August 07, 2019

Detroit Mechanix Post Winless Season, Again

Just like in 2014, 2015 and 2018, the 2019 Detroit Mechanix did it again. Zero wins in 12 regular season games for the 8-year team. This is Detroit's 4th winless season in the American Ultimate Disc League.
The Detroit Mechanix end their 8th consecutive losing season with a average of scoring 14.5 goals and giving up just over 23 (23.08) goals per loss. Unsurprisingly, Detroit finished in last place of the Midwest Division again.

The Mechanix winless streak is now at 36 games and 829 days. Detroit has not won an AUDL game since April 29, 2017 - an early 2017 season win over Chicago Wildfire.


Tuesday, August 06, 2019

DC Ultimate Player Rowan McDonnell Amazes With Athletic Score

During Washington D.C.'s Truck Stop semifinal of USA Ultimate's U.S. Open Championships on Saturday August 3, DC's Rowan McDonnell displayed incredible wherewithal to jump, hop and toe the end zone sideline while tracking and eventually catching a hanging disc.


[video via USA Ultimate/ESPN3]

ESPN SportsCenter agrees:


Similar athleticism was seen by Jesse Shofner in 2018.

My attempt to update Rowan to Th-rowan has not caught on, but maybe now "Toe-In" McDonnell? Rowan commented on his athletic catch: "I don't know. just another way to catch the frisbee.'

Truck Stop would lose the semifinal to New York PoNY by the score of 10-14, and finish in 3rd place at the 2019 U.S. Open that was hosted in Blaine, Minnesota.



Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Washington DC to Host America Ultimate Disc League All-Star in 2020

The (202) will be hosting the 2020 AUDL All-Star Game.

The American Ultimate Disc League shared the 2020 game location without mention in June.

AUDL broadcasts have shown field signs advertising the 2020 game in DC:

The D.C. Breeze website indicates they are hosting next year's AUDL All-Star game in June 2020:

The AUDL website is currently promoting the 2020 event:

No further information or details have been made available via AUDL or Events DC.

The DC Breeze play in the District at Catholic University's Carlini Field - home to CU's soccer teams and women's lacrosse - opened on March 20, 2019. Prior to the 2019 season, the Breeze played on the football field at CU's Cardinal Stadium.

AUDL hosted their first at the home field of the Madison Radicals on June 8, 2019. Thirty-two players representing all 21 AUDL teams played in the exhibition game. Washington DC Breeze was represented at the 2019 all-star game by one player - Rowan McDonnell, who was AUDL MVP 2018.


Tuesday, July 30, 2019

US Senator Bob Menendez Supports Beach Ultimate

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) stood on the beach in Manasquan, New Jersey, to raise awareness about beach safety and, in other words, to encourage playing beach ultimate.


"In my view, the only things that should be flying through air on a sunny day at the beach should be seagulls and Frisbees." 
--Senator Bob Menedez (D-NJ)


Wildwood Beach Ultimate (W2BU) Tournament - the world's largest beach ultimate event - could not agree more with their state senator.


Monday, July 29, 2019

Chart: History of AUDL Division Champions (2012-2019)

AUDL 2019 division championships have been crowned.



Indianapolis AlleyCats return to AUDL Championship Weekend since the league's inaugural season. Back in 2012 the AlleyCats played in what was then called the "Western" Conference/Division.

Dallas Roughnecks won their 4th South Division championship - a title they have won every year since they joined the AUDL (2016).

New York Empire won their 2nd consecutive (2018, 2019) East Division Championship.

San Diego Growlers won their first West Division championship. All current West Division teams have now earned a bid to American Ultimate Disc League Championship Weekend.

 Team  Previous Divisional Championship
 Empire  2018
 Roughnecks  2018
 AlleyCats  2012
 Growlers  n/a


Philadelphia Spinners (2012) and San Francisco FlameThrowers (2017) are the only division champ who are no longer in the league.Twelve different teams have ever won an AUDL  division title.


Thursday, July 25, 2019

UK PM Boris Johnson Downplayed His Chances of Becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom


In 2015, Boris Johnson said: "It is more likely that I will be reincarnated as an olive, locked in a disused fridge, decapitated by a flying frisbee." when asked  about his chances of becoming U.K. prime minister.



[h/t Dusty Rhodes]


Tuesday, July 23, 2019

USA Player Stats at 2019 World U24 Ultimate Championships

The U.S.A. Under-24 National Teams went undefeated in Germany at the WFDF 2019 Under-24 Worlds. Below are individual U.S. players stats on their gold-medal teams.

USA U24 Women's Team (10-0); gold medal winners.
+Angela Zhu is the only U.S. player to average at least 1 assist and 1 goal; in 10 games, Zhu threw 13 assists (1.3/game) and caught 11 goals (1.1 goals/game).
+Top assist leaders for women's team: Arielle Nelson, Samiya Ismail (16), Angela Zhu (13)
+Top scorers for women's team: Claire Trop (18), Caitlyn Lee (15), Carly Campana, Dena Elimelech (13), Angela Zhu (11)
+All players on the women's roster recorded at least 1 assist and 1 goal.


USA U24 Mixed Team (10-0); gold medal winners.
+Joe White posted the highest combined total of Assists + Goals of any U.S. player with 30 (21 assists + 9 goals).
+Top assist leaders for mixed team:Joe White (21), Matthew Gouchoe-Hanas (13), Brett Gramann (10)
+Top scorers for mixed team: Anders Olsen (11), Mary Rippe, Anne Worth (10)



USA U24 Men's Team (11-0); gold medal winners.
+Malcolm Hecht led all U.S. players with 26 assists (in 10 games). Tannor Johnson was the leading scorer of all U.S. players with 20 goals (11 games).
+Top assist leaders for men's team: Malcolm Hecht (26), Elijah Long, Eric Sjostom (12)
+Top scorers for men's team: Tannor Johnson (20), Jasper Tom, Alexander Cuizon Tice (12), Nathan Pettyjohn, Christian Boxley (11)


[DATA via WU24UC event site; compiled by SLUDGE]


Monday, July 22, 2019

WFDF 2019 Asia Oceanic Ultimate and Guts Championships

The Asia Oceanic Ultimate and Guts Championships begin this week in Shanghai.

This article claims it will be "China's biggest ultimate tournament ever."


Sunday, July 21, 2019

Results of USA Ultimate 2019 Masters Championships

USA Ultimate's Masters Championships with 88 teams competing concluded last weekend. No #1-seeds won their divisional championship. The 11-seed Ottawa Solstice was the lowest seed to win a division (Grand Masters - Women).


Championship results according to USAU event site:

Masters - Women
Oakland Golden Poppies (2) 15-8 over Seattle iRot (1); Denver Molly Grey (5) won 3rd.

Masters - Men 
Seattle Voltron 2020 (6) 15-11 over North Carolina Boneyard (1). Denver Johnny Encore (3) won 3rd.

Masters - Mixed 
Bay Area Cool Biz (3) 15-4 win over Minneapolis Hey Babe (3); Nashville/Huntsville Old #7 (8) won 3rd.

Grand Masters - Women
Ottawa Solstice (11) 15-8 over Boston Boston (2). Atlanta Atlantiques (7) finished 3rd.

Grand Masters - Men 
Minneapolis Surly GM (3) 15-10 win over Colorado Johnny Walker (1); Santa Barbara Eldors (2) won 3rd.

Great Grand Masters - Men 
San Francisco Relics (2) 15-11 win over Chicago CHRONIC (5); DoG (3) won 3rd.


All the winners won 100 free custom UltraStars courtesy of Discraft. American teams that were tops in their division qualify to represent the United States at 2020 World Masters Ultimate Championships in Australia.


Congratulations to USA Ultimate National Teams at U24 Worlds 2019

Congratulations to all U.S.A. Ultimate National Team players, coaches and staff involved with winning a combined 3 gold medals at 2019 Worlds in Germany.

Recognition of the 75 athletes from the U.S. teams:



Saturday, July 20, 2019

Results at WFDF U24 Worlds 2019

It's over at Under-24 Worlds in Heidelberg, Germany!

USA National Teams swept the 3 divisions at the WFDF World U24 Ultimate Championships - just like in 2013 and in 2018. Collectively, the USA teams were perfect at the international tournament; posting a combined (31-0) record [men (11-0) + mixed (10-0) + women (10-0)].



MEN's DIVISION
GOLD: USA
SILVER: Canada
BRONZE: Italy
FOURTH: Japan
SPIRIT: Demark

MIXED DIVISION
GOLD: USA
SILVER: Japan
BRONZE: Singapore*
*Singapore's first-ever medal at the World Under-24 Ultimate Championship
FOURTH: Latvia
SPIRIT: South Africa

WOMEN's DIVISION
GOLD: USA
SILVER: Japan
BRONZE: Canada
FOURTH: Colombia
SPIRIT: Australia

[data source]


Friday, July 19, 2019

CHART: Top-8 Countries in Each Division at U24 Worlds

WFDF Under-24 Ultimate Championships in Germany finished pool play. Fourteen (14) different countries of the 29 total countries are represented in the top tier of teams. Only Canada, Japan, and the United States have all 3 of their teams in the top-8 in each division.

NOTES: Men's and Mixed top teams were in 8-team bracket; the women's top teams were placed in a  4-team championship bracket.


Thursday, July 18, 2019

Color of Ultimate: ATL documentary

After a successful event in Atlanta in June 2019, this documentary covers covers how race, socioeconomic status, and inequity has influenced participating players both on and off the ultimate field.




Friday, July 12, 2019

Chart: Country Participation at WFDF 2019 Under-24 Ultimate Championships

There are fifty-one (51) National ultimate teams from 29 countries are scheduled to compete in the upcoming WFDF World Under-24 Ultimate Championships. There will be 21 mixed teams, 18 teams in the men's division and 12 teams in the women's division at U24 Worlds.


Nine (9) countries will be competing in all 3 divisions (men's, women's and mixed) -- Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and the United States. The majority of countries (16) are sending one (1) team to this international event.




[Data source: https://wu24heidelberg.com/team-registration; Chart by SLUDGE]


Thursday, July 11, 2019

College Representation on USA National Team Rosters at World Under-24 Championships

WFDF's 2019 World Under-24 Ultimate Championships (WU24) starts this weekend in Germany. USA National Teams will be represented in the men's, mixed and women's divisions. A total of seventy-five (75) players were selected to represent the US on the active rosters; 24 on men's, 26 on mixed, and 25 on the US women's roster.

Carleton College leads with the most players with 10, followed by UNC (6), Oregon (5) and Dartmouth (4). A total of forty-one (41) of colleges are represented on the USA Ultimate National teams at 2019 U24 Worlds.



NOTES: Unaffiliated player = Clea Poklemba (mixed) is from Portland, Oregon.
Stacy Gaskill representing Colorado, will be freshman in fall 2019.
Abby Hecko representing Washington, will be freshman in fall 2019.

[Updated from original chart with final rostering; data via USA Ultimate]



Tuesday, July 09, 2019

WFDF 2019 World Under-24 Ultimate Championships (Heidelberg, Germany)

The World Flying Disc Federation 2019 World Under-24 Ultimate Championships (WU24) will be hosted in the city of Heidelberg, Germany, from July 13th to July 20th. The event will feature national Ultimate teams in the following divisions: Men's U24 (18 teams), Women's U24 (12 teams) and Mixed U24 (21 teams). Located about 78 km (48 mi) south of Frankfurt, Heidelberg is the fifth-largest city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.

There are 51 teams from 29 countries scheduled to compete in the event.



Monday, July 01, 2019

D.C. Ultimate Player Delrico Johnson Highlighted by ESPN

Delrico Johnson of Washington D.C. Truck Stop (USA Ultimate Club) and D.C. Breeze (AUDL) was featured on ESPN's twitter with his astounding catch during the Color of Ultimate exhibition game on June 22 in Atlanta.

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Medellin Revolution Win 2019 Premier Ultimate League Title

Congratulations to Medellín Revolution for completing an undefeated season in the 2019 Premier Ultimate League. With a familiar roster, Revo entered the season as heavy favorites and posted a (5-0) record in the regular season - 4 games of which were on the road. Revolution began their season on opening day of the league, and finished on the last game of the season.

In the postseason in Atlanta, the team from Colombia battled Atlanta for a 1-goal win in the semifinals, and went on to win the finals the next day; a 20-14 (9-7 halftime) victory against Raleigh Radiance. Revolution end the season with a perfect (7-0) record and claim to the first title of the Premier Ultimate Leagued in its "pilot" season.


Felicidades, Revo!


Friday, June 28, 2019

Premier Ultimate League 2019 Championship Weekend

After a 9-week regular season, the Premier Ultimate League will host its inaugural postseason PULayoffs in Atlanta this weekend. The semifinals feature: 
  • New York Gridlock (4-1) versus Raleigh Radiance (3-2); Radiance beat Gridlock by 9 goals in week 5.
  • Medellín Revolution (5-0) versus Atlanta Soul* (2-3); Revolution handily beat the Soul in weeks 1 and 3. 



Semifinals will be played tonight (Friday), and the championship game will be played the tomorrow at 12:30pm.


Promotions from PUL:





*Austin Torch (3-2) finished in 4th place in the final standings - one spot above Atlanta. At the start of the PUL season, the PUL Board of Directors voted to give the host city (Atlanta) an automatic bid to the playoffs.