Old Smoke shines in first-ever tournament!
Old Smoke shines in first-ever tournament!
Old Smoke, ASL’s ultimate (frisbee) team, competed at the Tonbridge School Invitational on Saturday, 17 May.
Below, Coach Richman elaborates on the big day.
Our nine players (four from Grade 9 and five Grade 11 students), seeded sixth, won two of our three pool games, beating St. Paul’s and Leeks, and losing to the host school’s first team, earning the opportunity to play in the 3 vs. 4 game at the end of the day. Reigate beat us in that match with a smooth collection of deep cuts and accurate throws. It’s the first tournament our ASL team has ever played; In fact, it is the first competition in the six-year history of the program! What a thrilling development that ASL is now a part of the UK ultimate community.
Let me begin by sharing what I said in our team huddle after our final game: I am so proud of our squad for how they competed, how much they improved across the tournament and how much spirit they demonstrated—more on that in a moment. We walked to catch the train home on tired legs, cheeks pink from the sunshine, and everyone buzzing from the experience. In what can only be described as a superhuman feat, the Grade 11 athletes carried on deep into the evening by attending prom!
The primary throwers, also known as ‘handlers,’ were responsible for moving us up the field, and our trio showed their mettle in this pressure-filled role with gutsy decisions and crucial connections. The other six were charged with alternating between sharp cuts toward the thrower and bursting down the field to receive a long throw (called a ‘huck’). During our game against St. Paul’s, the team was fired up when one of those hucks was completed by a sprinting teammate who dove in order to secure the score. A special shout out to our captain who steered our ship when the disc was in his hand as well as inspiring his peers to play the game he loves.
Ultimate is a dynamic sport that requires stamina, strategic nous and solid fundamentals. And that’s just offense. Everyone must have a willingness to play stingy defense, too, running hard across the field to prevent the other team from reaching their end zone. Our nonet proved both willing and able, digging deep on long points and then sprinting when securing the turnover. On both sides of the disc, it was incredible to witness nine young men playing as one team, supporting each other, cheering for each other and celebrating the collective achievements of Old Smoke.
Their demonstration of the spirit of the game was apparent in their positive sportsmanship all day. The spirit of the game is a crucial component of ultimate; in truth, it’s what sets this game apart from most. Ultimate players respect their competitors as well as the integrity of the game by playing fairly and resolving all issues on the field through conversation with the other team. So positive was Old Smoke’s play that we won the Spirit Award, an accolade determined by the votes of all the teams in the tournament. This is a huge achievement for our team and for ASL.
Finally, Old Smoke wishes to share their immense appreciation for our athletic director, John Farmer, for his unwavering support of our program. This simply would not happen without him.
Coach Richman
