Elder Pranksters Exit at Regionals

Author: Andrew Zimmermann

The Middlebury ultimate frisbee team finished its season this weekend in Dartmouth as it valiantly fell short of reaching the national tournament. In four games including, one against host Dartmouth, and another against number two tournament seed Wesleyan University, the team was able to muster one victory although its play was focused and strong for much of the tournament. A group of nine devoted seniors also saw the tournament as an end to their respective Prankster careers with the losses over the weekend.

Middlebury started play Saturday in a tough pool of four teams including second seed Wesleyan. In its first game against Yale, the Pranksters were outmatched and perhaps had a case of the jitters according to captain Alden Woodrow '02.5, as they fell 15-6. The following game was against Wesleyan, an old foe of the ultimate team. In the heated animosity that ensued, Middlebury managed to stay pace for pace with the second seed pulling to 13-13 with the last point and the game in the balance. The Pranksters came within inches of pulling the upset when Woodrow threw a long pass that somehow eluded the grasp of Colin Davis '03.

Despite Middlebury going on to a one-point loss, Davis along with the infrequently used Evan Twelker '04 stood out in Woodrow's mind as having made particularly strong efforts throughout the weekend.

Middlebury then crushed the University of Vermont in what could only be described as an interesting game in which a tepid brawl broke out between the two teams. With a 2-1 record in its pool Middlebury then took on Dartmouth for the right to go to the quarterfinals. The home team however, was not to be denied as the Pranksters narrowly missed a victory in a 15-12 hard-fought loss.

That concluded the season for the ultimate men although, with a large class of seniors graduating it will not mark the end of continued strong performances. "Things look good," said Woodrow who will not be around next spring as a student. "With a strong class of rising seniors and 17 first-years the team should do well." In truth Woodrow also admitted that this year's class of first-years has been both the largest and perhaps the most talented of late.

However, a large physical and emotion void must be filled with the graduation of nine seniors this spring. After tournaments, the team will often sit down to reflect and comment on the weekend.

This weekend, Woodrow stood up and said candidly, "This was definitely the best team I have played for here at Middlebury." While past years have yielded greater success in national tournaments, it was the contribution and closeness of every player this year that marked the team. The loss of these nine seniors will also be particularly tough for next year's team: Joshua Howe, Matt LaRocca, Drew Bennett, Matt Noble, Brad Corr, Vinny Idone, Tyson Schoelzel, Grayson Stuntz and Pat Duffy.