Pro ultimate disc team now based in Golden

Colorado Summit plays first home game May 13 at Mines

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Colorado Summit, the state’s semi-professional ultimate disc team, has punched its Golden ticket.

e team, which was founded last year, has found a home in Golden and will play this season’s six home games at Colorado School of Mines’ Marv Kay Stadium.

It kicks o its home season at 6:30 p.m. May 13 against the Seattle Cascades.

“We couldn’t be happier about our permanent move to Golden,” the team recently announced on its Facebook page. “ … It truly is a mountain town that embraces outdoor recreation … at is the de nition of the Colorado Summit.” e lowdown on the Summit e Colorado Summit was one of three new teams in the American Ultimate Disc League last year. e league, which is starting its 12th season, is comprised of 24 teams across North America, according to the AUDL website.

Teams play seven-on-seven non-contact ultimate disc, also called ultimate Frisbee. e league is called semi-pro because the players aren’t paid enough to play full-time, so most have day jobs, but AUDL is the top league in the world. ere are 20-30 players on the Summit’s roster, and coaches rotate them based on strategy and availability.

Among the players is Golden resident Jonathan Nethercutt, the team’s lead handler — which is like a quarterback. Nethercutt, who also works at Powder7 Ski Shop in north Golden, led the AUDL in throwing yards last year and has been named a preseason candidate for 2023 MVP. e Colorado Summit played at the University of Denver last summer, where it averaged 1,000 fans per game across its six regular season home games. With their support, the team won the 2022 Western Division Championship in its inaugural season.

Overall, games are high-intensity and fast-paced with dramatic dives and jaw-dropping jumps on both o ense and defense.

“It’s perfect for highlights in athleticism,” Sal Pace, the Summit’s majority owner, said of ultimate disc. “ … e scoring is quick and frequent with big throws.”