the index · sports
Page 23
May 2022
Ultimate Frisbee celebrates brotherhood, team spirit Christopher Schwarting ’24
T
ucked away in Eagle Field with discs sailing through the air, the ultimate frisbee team has been making great strides through the spring. Despite a novice-dominated roster and skilled opponents, camaraderie and fun complement a team that rose to challenges and developed foundational skills. This year’s ultimate team is different from last year’s. “Last year was a very senior-dominated team. We had a bunch of seniors, some juniors, and some sophomores and freshmen,” Fifth Former Kiran Mistry said. “This year, we have a much bigger breadth. We don’t have many seniors, but a lot of sophomores, and a good number of juniors and freshmen.” Mistry, alongside Fifth Former Matthew Franz, is co-captain of the ultimate frisbee squad this year. Because of the large pool of new players, this year has been about introducing the game and developing skills. “This has been a building year,” Mistry said. “We are basically getting everyone out of being able to throw, being able to catch, and being able to play on the field.” Coaches Dr. Andrew Fenton, Mr. Samuel Walters, and Teacher Louie Brown have observed the team rising to the challenge. “We only have three or four guys returning back to our squad, so we only have three experienced players,” Coach Fenton said. “That being said, the team has been learning a lot, they are very athletic, and they have learned a huge amount. I have seen and
remarked on how much improvement they have shown.” Because much of the team is new to the sport, games have posed some challenges. “There are still a lot of things to learn,” Mistry said. “We are 1-3.” The regular season is by a Cities Tournament with schools around the region. What can also pose a challenge to developing frisbee skills is that there are simply not many frisbee tournaments and game opportunities. For the division the ultimate frisbee team plays, COVID has ravaged potential opponents’ programs. “Some of those teams have just disappeared—the teams that we have historically played against. I am hoping that they will come back, [and] I am hoping that they will be able to find a place either in that division or in another game,” Coach Fenton said. “We can hopefully build a culture of ultimate like some of these other sports [at Haverford].” However, despite this year’s lighter schedule and game struggles, the team’s brotherhood has held true.
“They play with heart and they play with love... just out there having fun.” DR. ANDREW FENTON
COURTESY OF PRANAV DIXIT ’22
The ultimate frisbee team after competing in the City Championships on May 14, 2022 “One of the things I love about this them. It’s about wanting everyone to have team this year is that they have a huge fun,” he said. amount of heart. They play with heart and And for Coach Brown, this fun, mututhey play with love. And I want to see that,” ally respectful culture has been the backbone Coach Fenton remarked. “It’s a team that is of the team’s positivity and progress this year. just out there having fun.” “I think playing sports and the sports Mistry agrees. He believes it’s in the cul- culture can be very contentious and overture of ultimate teams, both at and outside focused on winning, which is important,” of Haverford. Coach Brown said, “but it made me really, “The biggest part about [ultimate] fris- really proud just to see the team being really bee that is different from other sports is that wholesome and working really hard for each it’s [not only] a team sport, but it becomes other for the love of the game. That was the a collective sport. You want to see the other highlight for me so far.” team do well. You do not want to humiliate
Blazers on, crew team rolls forward Ethan Lee ’24
D
uring the fall and spring months, Sixth Formers sporting colorful maroon and gold jackets can be spotted in the hallways of Wilson Hall. These blazers are the property of the crew team and are deemed the Henley Regatta Blazers.
“I hope that there is some sort of pride in wearing the blazers and that it helps our team members stand out,” Stephanik said. This attitude towards the blazer is echoed by members of the varsity boats. “Personally, wearing the blazer is special because we’re continuing a tradition that’s been around long before our year and will be around long after we graduate,” Sixth Former and varsity quad member Wells Benson said. Sixth Former Wyatt Johnson, also a member of the varsity quad, echoed this sentiment.
“The more the jackets stands out, the more you will be remembered over there.” JAIDEN SHUCHMAN ’23 “The blazers all revolve around the Henley Royal Regatta in England,” head crew coach Jonathan Stephanik said. “Each team that goes has almost a branding. Each jacket is a little bit different. The more the jacket stands out and is different, the more you will be remembered over there.” The Henley Royal Regatta is one of the largest races in the world. Held on the River Thames, it takes place over five days annually and sees thousands of spectators and both school and professional rowers. The Regatta is also part of something known as the English social season, a tradition that evolved in England during the early eighteenth century. The English social season is a posh couple of months in the spring and summer where people hold events like races and dinner parties. A strict dress code is enforced at many of these events, and The Henley Royal Regatta is no exception. “There are grounds at the Regatta where you need to make sure that you are dressed appropriately,” Coach Stepanik said. “You can’t wear tennis shoes. You have to be wearing a coat and tie with dress shoes and slacks. “There is one rule about it: if you are
“I take tremendous pride in wearing the Henly blazer. It’s a unique tradition to be a part of.” WYATT JOHNSON ’22
A Fords Four competes against EA on May 14, 2022 wearing the blazer, you cannot wear shorts,” Stephanik stated. The blazer uses the traditional Haverford colors, maroon and vegas gold, along with a modified athletics logo. “It has a custom rowing logo for the Henley specifically just to differentiate things,” Coach Stephanik said. “The lining is also custom with our oars. There are the original oars from the 50s with a single blade, and the more recent blades with the hatchet shape and the H on it.” The blazer was first designed in 2017, as this was the first year that Haverford re-
COURTESY OF @EA1785_ROWING ON TWITTER
turned to the regatta in over 20 years. “The goal is to go back to England every three-to-five years,” Coach Stephanik said. “We were supposed to go last year but the pandemic ruined our plans.” In the fall season, Sixth Form rowers had the privilege to wear the blazers, and in the spring season, the two varsity boats—the varsity quad and the varsity four—get to wear the blazers. “Instead of guys getting to buy and keep the blazer, we went with the English tradition where the boats would pass down the blazer year to year,” Coach Stephanik said.
“I take tremendous pride in wearing the Henley blazer,” Johnson said. “It’s a unique tradition to be a part of.” Although the season is coming to a close, there are still a few major races left for the crew team. The Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the rescheduled City Championships, and, for the boats that qualify, Nationals are near. “It has been a fun season so far and we look to continue our success in the most important races of the season through the end of Spring,” Johnson said. “I’m really looking forward to these upcoming races because it’s everything we’ve worked for the past four years of rowing,” Benson said. “It’s our chance to leave a lasting impact on the team and really become champions.”
