Ultimate players
let the discs fly
in Lincoln skies
By Dionne Searcey
Senior Reporter
Discs soared as high as spirits this weekend
when a Kansas City, Mo., team won the biggest
ultimate tournament to come to Lincoln.
Kansas City defeated Springfield, Mo., in
the championship game Sunday. Both teams
will travel to the regional tournament in Lex
ington, Ky. Nine teams competed in this week
end's sectional tournament.
Local players say they aren’t disappointed
they won’t be traveling to regionals in two
weeks. Paul Thygesen said the team was happy
Simply to be the host of the tournament.
Lincoln’s team was defeated in quarterfinal
play and finished the tournament with one win
and three losses.
Thygesen said players were pleased with the
tournament. The weather was ideal; the field,
for the most part, was plush; and the players
were serious about their games.
The tournament marks the near end of the
outdoor disc-playing season for the Midwest.
Nebraska winters don’tofferthe best of playing
conditions. Thvecsen said.
Patrick Rodysill, tournament director, said
though he had played ultimate in snowy, 29
degree weather, nice days such as Saturday
were ideal. Saturday’s temperature was in the
mid-80s.
When temperatures drop, Rodysill said, play
ers will move practices inside the Campus
Recreation building. Lincoln’s team will mod
ify a few rules to host an indoor tournament this
winter, he said.
Tournaments are organized using a set of
rules created by the Ultimate Players Associa
tion, a governing body for all ultimate teams.
Rules must be followed for field size and'
statistic-keeping.
The players themselves are responsible for
adhering to guidelines, Rodysill said, in keep
ing with the “spirit of the game” rule that *
eliminates the need for referees.
It’s commonplace for players from oppos
ing teams to joke with each other, shake hands
during play and keep each other in line through
out the games, he said.
Rodysill said spirit was important to him.
“The attitude of the people js why I play,” he
said. “Plus, I’m good at it ”
Clockwise from top:
Lincoln team member
Shawn Berens seeks a
throwing lane through his
opponent’s defense.
Rick Joos leaps past the
opposition for an errant
pass.
Where there is ultimate
there are dogs. Paul Larsen
keeps his and two other
retrievers entertained be
tween games.
Amy Lorhberg Patt, a mas
sage therapist, gives
Patrick Rodysill a rub-down
between matches. Patt said
she gave about 30 rub
downs to players Saturday.
1 Photos
by William Lauer