Did you know that Jackson Reed has a nationally-ranked girl’s ultimate frisbee team?
Did you know that 90% of our players never picked up a frisbee before highschool?
If you are looking for a new extracurricular at Jackson-Reed, the girls frisbee team is the perfect place for you!
- What is ultimate frisbee?
Think of ultimate frisbee as a cross between soccer and football. Ultimate is played on a turf or grass field with two endzones, each team working to score by catching the disc in the opposing endzone. Ultimate frisbee is quite different from what is taught in our lovely P.E. classes at JR. Each team puts seven players on the field, each of whom are constantly running, making cuts to catch the disc, and playing hard defense when not on offense.
Most people learn to play ultimate in high school. Unlike other sports, where it’s typical for players to start in middle school, even elementary school, everyone starts on equal footing in frisbee, making it a great sport for beginners! You can join in high school without any experience and still be able to play on a competitive team. The JR ultimate program transforms athletes into high-caliber players who have the opportunity to play at an elite level. Last year, both the girls and boys teams competed at high school nationals, taking 15th and 11th in the country respectively.
- Can I still join if I already play another sport or am in another club?
While the frisbee team still requires commitment, it’s easy to balance frisbee with other activities. Some of our best players have been multi-sport athletes. In fact, one of our key players last year, Kinzly Gootman, played both frisbee and club soccer in the spring. She ended up going on to play D3 soccer at Case Western Reserve University. “The frisbee team is a commitment but there is still a lot of time for different activities whether that be another sport or any clubs,” Gootman shared. “It was easy for me to balance frisbee and soccer by communicating about practice schedules and any conflicts I had on the side.”
- Do I have to join freshman year?
Not at all! Gootman joined the team her senior year, was still able to learn the game quickly, and enjoyed her time on the team. She competed with the team at tournaments across the region, traveling as far as Tennessee and Illinois. For Gootman, she “wanted to be on the frisbee team because it’s different than any other sport I played; everybody was encouraging and willing to teach you while also being competitive and a really good team.”
- When does ultimate frisbee practice?
The team has two main seasons: fall and spring! In the fall, there is an emphasis on teaching the basics of ultimate and building team chemistry, while still having some games and tournaments. The more competitive season is the spring, which starts in March. Then, we play in both local and travel tournaments with three to four practices a week.
- Why should I join?
Frisbee is a place for everyone, regardless of athletic ability, reason to play, or financial situation. Whether you want to make friends, try a new activity, or stay active, joining the frisbee team is the perfect way to do that and have so much fun at the same time!
Hear from the team!
“I met some of my best friends and favorite people through this sport. I’ve been able to experience things I never would’ve if I hadn’t joined.” –Maddie Woods, Junior
“Some of my favorite memories are from team breakfasts after morning practice because I was able to interact with people outside of practice and bond with them.” –Safya Biswal, senior captain
“Our away tournament in Nashville, and especially on the bus rides because they just helped me realize what a good place and community frisbee is” –Jordana Sloane, Sophomore
“Scoring my first point is my favorite memory because everyone was so happy for me and it felt nice to be around people that are so supportive of one another” –Kinzly Gootman, Graduated Senior
Stop by room 408 on August 29 during lunch to learn more about the girl’s frisbee team or scan the QR code below! The team would love to have you!
