The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

“Chill” Out in Ultimate Fashion

For a team with no budget or funding from the Student Government Association the men’s ultimate frisbee team sure does get around.Over Spring Break the men’s team was successful enough in tournaments in Maryland and Georgia to have members thinking about nationals.They drew comparisons to the storied Ultimate teams of the early 1990s, when they went to nationals several years in a row.”We were never lacking individual talent but we played like a team of individuals,” team captain Henry Melcher said in regards to the recent success of the team.After departing Burlington on Friday afternoon, the team trekked to the Huck of the Irish Tournament in Salisbury, Maryland to compete against the likes of national powers Johns Hopkins University and Brandeis.On the first day of competition, the team finished a strong 4-1 in competition, finishing second in their pool.The strong play gave them a push to the second day when they knocked off Air Force before falling to SUNY-Albany in the quarter-finals.The Huck of the Irish Tournament served as mere warm-up for High Tide Tour-nament in Savannah, Georgia from March 13-15.Team Chill, as the team calls itself, finished a remarkable six in a field of 32 teams.Indisputably the highlight of the tournament, was an epic game against regional powerhouse Bucknell University.After trading points for most of the game, Bucknell gained a lead 12-9 late in the first-to-13 match. UVM managed to storm back and tie the game at 12, forcing “Universe Point.”According to Ultimate rules, Universe point is an unlimited time, sudden-death tiebreaker, with no substitutions, and no time-outs.Even with the added pressure, UVM maintained its composure as Bucknell start-ed to falter.”Bucknell was getting tired so they just started throwing bombs downfield, but we just kept pushing back, going with the flow,” said Melcher.After almost 15 minutes of Universe Point, lone senior Elias Altman sent a toss through a crowd to Melcher, ending the match.The win was one of the biggest for UVM in recent memory.”The next day teams were coming up and talking to us about that game and asking what we were doing for nationals,” said Melcher, “word had gotten around.”Melcher and co-captain junior Doug Brown credit a strong freshman class, renewed intensity in training and the guidance of coach Ray Coffey for the strong showings. “Rayquon [Coffey] just exudes confidence,” said Melcher, “he plays on the local Burlington Club team … he’s like a music producer helping a band with us.” With the convincing performances over spring break Team Chill looks forward to upcoming tournaments at Yale and Williams College.Chill also anticipates a scrimmage against the strong local Burlington Club Ultimate Frisbee team on April 15 at Moulton Winder Field.Until then, you’ll be able to find members hawking Frisbees and stickers with the team’s “Chill” logo outside the library, raising funds for their next dominating adventure.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All The Vermont Cynic Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Activate Search
“Chill” Out in Ultimate Fashion