Bright masks and colorful beads weren’t the only things to invade Mardi Gras this year. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s ultimate Frisbee teams caravanned their way down south to participate in the Mardi Gras Ultimate Frisbee Tournament Feb. 2 and 3 in Baton Rouge, La.

The tournament welcomed over 80 teams, dispensing matches over a 10-mile diameter in various public parks, and was filled with intense sportsmanship.

UWM’s A and B men’s teams lost their first matches in a rough start. The A team fell short against UW-Whitewater with a score of 13-9, as did the B team against De Paul; 12-9. The women, however, commenced their tournament reign with a 13-3 win against the University of North Texas.

Each match was approached with the same passion; frisbees whipped over 70 yards, players ramming into one another in hopes of reaching the disc first, and diving lay-outs that ended in either a victorious grab or an empty-handed, mud soaked competitor.

The end of the tournament resulted in a 180 degree turn for the UWM men, producing positive results for the A team, who left with a ninth place finish out of 60 teams. The B team managed a 2-5 record after winning against Tulane, New Orleans and Illinois (B), making them consolation C bracket champions.

“We have the talent, but sometimes we lack commitment,” said B team Co-Captain Ari Spagat. “You need to practice and play within your emotion.”

The women’s team made their own mark at the tournament. Making their way to the finals, UWM ended their tournament record 7-1, triumphing over Notre Dame, Iowa State and Vanderbilt.

“You need aggressiveness, a good spirit, the ability to have fun and you must stay competitive to play ultimate frisbee,” said sophomore Alyssa Justesen.

Though the tournament didn’t end as well for the men as they would have liked, the group supported one another without hesitation. When A team was not in a match, they joined the B team’s games and played as a unit, dispensing techniques and advice as needed.

“Just go in there and tell yourself, I want that disc and I’ll do whatever I have too to get it,” said A team’s Christopher Qualle while addressing the B team.

Although Ultimate Frisbee has been around at UWM for only seven years, the national popularity of the sport is growing rapidly.

“When I started six years ago, there were about 200,000 members. Now there are over 700,000,” said UWM’s Ultimate Vice President Scot Goodreau. “I’d like to see all the ultimate teams at UWM continue for as long as possible, while growing each year.”

To obtain more information on UWM’s Ultimate Frisbee team, contact President Alex Engel at ultimate-core@uwm.edu.

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