My Ulti-ventures: Mixed Up 2010

ONYX celebrate their 15-7 victory over Monster as they hold on to top spot two years in a row.

We left Toronto late at night on the Friday before the tournament hoping to avoid the late rush of traffic exiting the city. I was as yet unsure about my living arrangements in Ottawa, but thanks to the generosity of one of my teammates, I wasn't left stranded in the nation's capital. "This is it," said one of the captains on our drive up to Ottawa. "Our tune-up time for Nationals!"

He was right. Throughout our entire season, regardless of which tournament we were at, our main goal as a team was the qualify for Nationals. We'd done it. Now what?

For the most part, I can only comment on Tundra's games as my full concentration went into supporting my team. Here's how it reads.

The Saturday games were to thirteen. Our first game was against Silver Fish Hand Catch, a pick-up team of sorts. They put up a pretty good fight, but our chemistry and teamwork persevered as we won the game 13-7.

Our D-line charges down the field towards Silver Fish Hand Catch.

Our captain, Andy, brings his maturity and crisp throws to every game. Photo by Gavin Thompson.

Next up, ONYX. After watching them play at WUCC in Prague this year, I knew this was going to be our hardest game. They had just defeated Hard, a team from Montreal, 11-8 in their first game and looked pumped and ready to go for round two. We could hear the "On... Nyx" chants from the field beside ours during our first game and we knew we'd have to play the best we've ever played just to keep up. 

Zone defence on a crucial equalizer point in the game against ONYX. Photo by Gavin Thompson.

A word of motivation from le petit commandant. Photo by Gavin Thompson.

The ONYX game began and we were excited to be going point for point against them. The sideline erupted every time we scored and we made sure to support each other through this uphill fight. Our petit commandant, as he was identified by the ONYX players, kept up the intensity and set an example for each of us to follow. We thought we'd mix up our defence and decided to play zone. They were able to break through our cup with some difficulty, but took advantage of our transition from zone to man defence near our endzone. Despite our best efforts, we were unsuccessful in taming the beast that is ONYX. We lost the game 13-6.

We cleared our heads and prepared for the next match against Plogg, a team from Sherbrooke. We were quickly able to capitalize on our speed and good decisions to win the game 13-3.

Tight line force. Photo by Daniel Bergson.

Our defence was spotless during the second half. Photo by Daniel Bergson.

The last game of the Saturday was against Hard. Our loss against ONYX had every player determined to work harder. With the will to win strong, our D-line never relented as they didn't give up a single point in the second half. Hard had great flow and worked well in their down field plays, but we won 13-4.

Our D-line converts a quick point after forcing a turnover. Hard is hit hard. Photo by Daniel Bergson.

Later that night, we congregated at one of our teammate's place near the fields and feasted to our heart's content. Through sweat and blood we earned each and every point on the field that day. The second day would soon show us that it takes a lot more than just a strong will to win.


The Sunday began with our game against MuD, a strong team from Guelph. Our entire team was on the field, cleated, and ready to go long before even a line of MuD players were visible. Our determination and focus could be felt in the air around us.

The game was back and forth as each point scored was answered with equal force. The score was 8-7 for MuD at halftime. "We're doing great guys! But there isn't an elevator ride to the top," said one of our captains. "We've got to climb up one step at a time, one point at a time."

In the second half, with the disk in LBR's able hands, there were no less than three travel calls and two fouls from the same person at the same point. We would rush the fields in premature celebration thinking that a point was scored, when in fact a call was made. The monotony of that point left every player on edge and the success of it that much sweeter as he made a breakforce throw to an open player in the endzone.  However, after MuD got a break point, they were up 13-10 as the soft cap horn went off. We kept our celebration to a minimum as we rushed to even the scores. A minute later it was 13-11. We sent out our strongest line to try and force a quick turnover and score. That point stretched for almost eight minutes as we heard the two heart wrenching sirens that signalled the playing of the last point. It didn't matter if we would lose this game anymore. MuD scored the last point and won the game 14-11. "We all gave it everything we've got even though we knew we would lose the game. And that makes us winners," said a veteran player as we gathered up. "It's all about heart and hustle."


Moving over to the next field, we were faced with our most upsetting match against Bytown Flatball Club (BFC). We had defeated this team at Regionals and knew what they were capable of if given the opportunity. They started scoring on us one point after another and we were left scratching our heads. Perhaps the charm of home-field-advantage brings with it an unrivalled resilience. What else could explain the score, 8-1, at halftime?

"We've got to forget about all other things and play Ultimate!" said one of our captains.

"Play what we know, what we've practiced. I'm seeing nothing that we've practiced," said another, moments before he went on the field. That point he successfully defended the possession as he battled two opponents in the air and rushed down the field to the other endzone where he scored an amazing aerial point. But our efforts were to no avail as we lost the game 15-3.

"It doesn't matter who scored what against who," commented a captain. "All that matters is what's at hand: a game of Ultimate. We forgot that out there."

Our last game of the weekend was against SeVen, an Ottawa team with a few pick-ups from Phoenix and Big Fish. In previous games, I caved under the pressure to perform and felt my concentration slipping. In this game I threw down all that I carried on my shoulders and felt a moment of inner-peace. None of the other games mattered anymore. They seemed distant and irrelevant. I focused on the now and cut myself off from my thoughts.

The captains decided to cap the game off at thirteen so that we could watch the finals between Monster and ONYX. They were agile and quick on turnovers, but we easily took the game 13-4.

A beautiful huck from Monster's Albert Wu (13) inches the score closer to ONYX's.

Beers and cheers at the finals game.

The finals match between Monster and ONYX had already begun by the time we settled on their sidelines. Our cold beers kept us relatively comfortable in the near-Saharan temperatures that scorched the field.
There were amazing plays from both sides as Monster tried desperately to catch up to ONYX's lead. Albert Wu caught what seemed to be an impossible to read push-pass from a teammate in mid-field and converted that into a huck-point. However, ONYX's pressure brought the disk close to the Monster endzone at game point. With the photographers ready to snap the game-winner, ONYX set up a vertical stack in the endzone. Monster held their force for a while, but were broken by a Inside-Out break pass to a female ONYX player in the endzone. Thus ended the tournament.

We beat our seed to Nationals, but most importantly we beat our inner-selves to perform better than ever. 

Monster cheer ONYX on their victory.

Despite getting two "amazing" D's, my favourite moments from this tournament were the connection I felt with the team. After missing two tournaments, I wasn't sure if I was as close to the team as the other rookies. This was the first time I felt very attached to the team.

Regardless of what other teams did or didn't do, our team had an emotional rollercoaster ride that, as a result, brought us closer to one another. I feel we're more of a family now more than ever before not only because we celebrated our victories, but also because we stuck together and supported one another even in defeat. There was a level of mutual understanding in which every member of this family knew what role they had to play and worked hard towards accomplishing it.

Tundra: not just a team, but also a concept.

Tundra is not just a team, it's a concept. One which exhibits a unique team spirit and the strength and determination to overcome monumental challenges. Our team is a blend of veterans and rookies, different playing styles, and different life experiences. But we all stand united under this name: Tundra.

Tree growth may be hindered on this land, 
but our growth is infinite where we stand.

We may not sustain vegetation,
but we sustain ample determination. 

Our subsoil may suffer permafrost,
But before the game begins, you've lost!

Now we're set for Nationals. With a few more practices left before the Sherbrooke Ulti-matum, discipline and fitness will run its course.