Ultimate soars to early successes

Elizabeth Pacheco Sports Editor

Even as the last of the fall leaves disappear, Vassar’s men and women’s ultimate frisbee teams are continuing to practice out on Noyes Circle. Although the team practices co-ed, the men and women’s teams each competed separately in two tournaments this fall.

Captains of the women’s team (the Boxing Nuns), Judy Jarvis ’07 and Lillian Ho ’07, has unexpectedly placed in the top five in both of their tournaments. With seven veteran players abroad, the team was initially worried about their chances for success.

Returning players honed their skills and new members were quick to pick up the sport, giving the team a competitive edge. “We’ve been having really close games with really strong teams and are winning in games against teams that have beat us in the past,” said Ho.

At the Haverween Tournament on Oct. 21-Oct. 22 and the Lemony Fresh Fall Classic on Nov. 4-Nov. 5, the Boxing Nuns went 4-2, and placed fifth at Lemony Fresh.

The men’s team (the Swinging Monks) has also done well this season. Captains Jer Isseks ’07 and Jake Hoffman ’07 are using the fall season as an opportunity to have fun and be focused. The men’s team, also, participated in the Haverween and Lemony Fresh tournaments and went 1-1 and 5-2, respectively.

Both teams currently practice together three days a week and will compete in their final tournament on Dec. 2-Dec. 3 at Adelphi College. In January, practices will be moved inside, they will start training for their traditional spring season.

“We’re really looking forward to a strong spring season,” said Jarvis. “We are planning to continue negotiations with the Athletics Department, which will hopefully result in opportunities to host some tournaments and receive more playing time and space in time for the spring.”