Winter Season Begins

Today marks the first day of the winter season. The boys of spring closed out their fall campaign with a win against Wayzata in an exhibition game. With a year of competitive play under their belt the team looks to repeat the gains it saw last season during the winter. Current team captains Sam and Treyton were regulars last year and catapulted themselves from the fall season practice squad to the varsity team. Dylan saw his role change too as he developed a strong forehand and became a starting handler.

For these reasons and more, this winter season is going to get very interesting. First off is the personnel. This year they are operating on Maple Grove dome time not Osseo's so there will be more than the 10 or so Maple Grove kids that consistently came last year, meaning more improvement for more players. Dylan will return to the field this year after an exciting season with the football team. Look for him to lead effectively lead the team and make some strides in his own game.  However with the excitement of improving players comes the disappointment of losing some key fall contributors.

Returning to the pool Captain Nate will be unable to come to most practices and it's unfortunate to have to wait until spring to have him back. Nate did a great job handling the team this fall picking right up where DJ left off handling administration, recruiting, and field space. Also returning conference rookie of the year Mitchell will be gone for basketball. Hopefully he and Timmy will have successful seasons and return to the field this spring.

All in all this new team is very exciting. There's something to be said for knowing what you have to do, and the experience from last year's team did just that. They lost all but seven players-that played at least one game last season-to graduation, but now have the pedigree and credibility to recruit some more players that may have been on the fence before. This team is going to be fun to watch this spring.

Weekend Update

Hallowinona and Wayzata

 

Monday marks the end of a fantastic weekend of Maple Grove Ultimate. Friday saw the new look Crimsanity roster head down for a fall season scrimmage against Wayzata. Throughout the game the wind played a significant factor altering throws on both sides and extended points to several posessions apiece. Crimsanity would go on to win a close one 11-10. Finishing was a weakness for the boys as they moved the disc well, but were unable to punch it in for the score. This led to turnovers that Wayzata was able to take advantage of as they had several counter attack scores. Look for this to improve as the team works to replace last year's two leading goal scorers.

Early Saturday morning DJ, Cullen and Dylan made their way down to Winona for the 19th Hallowinona Ultimate tournament. Dylan joined up with DJ on Ugly Ducking and Cullen continued his strong Freshman campaign with Blue Skunk. Both teams went 1-3 in pool play and the three did not stay for Sunday's bracket play.

Dylan had a strong showing for Duckling as the captains quickly put him in at Cutter, and he was a primary option for most of points he played. He did a great job getting open downfield for the handlers, and was DJ's favorite target. This weekend DJ continued his transition to playing Handler nearly full time, but did fill in for spot points at Cutter.

Dylan and DJ's chemistry was evident from the get go when DJ hit Dylan on an early huck over the Drag n Thrust defenders. The day would go well for both of them. They each played well on both sides of the field, and had their share of big plays. Notably, late in the final game DJ chased down an errant throw in the back of the endzone, leapt for the grab and toed the line for a highlight reel goal.

It'll be interesting to see if they are any new developments as this fall season nears it close, but so far things are going well for boys of the Grove.

MGDC in Utah

The Maple Grove Disc Club has one of its own playing intramural Ultimate at BYU. Nathan (Graduated 2013) has played several times at Disc Club, but did not play for Crimsanity. Nathan and former captain DJ were co-captains of the JV Crimson Tennis team in 2011 which proved to be there last season in the Maple Grove Tennis program.

After leaving tennis the two former captains parted ways, as DJ and Cullen teamed up to start the MGDC and Nathan joined the Maple Grove Lacrosse team. When the spring of 2013 came about the two captains were unable to woo Nathan away from Lacrosse, and he went on to another successful Lax season.

This year in Provo Nathan is looking good early, and will be another exciting player to watch next summer for the MGDC.

College Ultimate Debut

This weekend marks the College Ultimate debut for former Maple Grove captains Cullen and DJ. DJ will be playing for Minnesota Y against Iowa State, Grinnell and St. Thomas, while Cullen will be playing for Mankato State against Platteville, Northern Michigan and Green Bay. DJ has started his Minnesota Ultimate career with a position change to Cutter, passed the first round of cuts, and will know early next week whether or not he makes the Grey Duck roster. Cullen has started off his Mankato career playing Handler and is excited to show his new skills. Ultimate fans in Maple Grove should be very excited for this weekend, and we'll see if we can get the dream matchup.

Captain's Bio

2014 Captains
 

Treyton, a frequent club member, made huge strides playing in the winter as he slowly moved up from the Fall season practice squad to as high as a first round pick in the dome. He started off the Spring Ultimate season in Track but quit to join the ultimate late in the regular season. Struggling to return to form, he got off to a slow start in the regular season but was back to his elite deep threat game in the state tournament, scoring against Hopkins.

Dylan, an ultimate player since junior high has been preparing to take the reigns from his brother since fall 2012. A late football injury kept Dylan out 6 weeks. Missing most of the late fall and early winter Ultimate. He returned in Early January struggling to find his forehand coming off his injured right hand. By the time the season came around he and older brother Cullen were the primary weapons on Maple Grove's Dualan Ultimate line. Key moments for him came in the Cooper and Armstrong conference tournament games. Against Cooper he facilitated late game scores with Cullen and DJ clinching a huge win, and had a massive layout catch to save a momentum changing possession. In Summer club he has been primarily matching up with DJ. Over the summer he has shown great defense and the ability to make massive throws under pressure. Good things from him to come.

Nate, is the only returning senior to the varsity team except for Charlie whom made one late season appearance. Nate early on has been showing dedication and motivation in setting up ultimate activities and recruiting players. Above all returners Nate is a student of the game and is the most improved player since the season ended. With throws that continue to impress Nate has emerged as a likely candidate to be the primary handler on the 2014 team. A dire contrast to the cut and dump style of play he adopted during his rookie. Nate is a player who knows how to get the disc, and will be exciting to watch in 2014.

Lastly, Sam started the 2013 campaign as the last player to make the Fall Team. However, Sam along with Treyton emerged during the winter club season. The only lefty on the team, Sam's bullet forehand carved up defenses during club. Always seeming to be in the right place, Sam has the ability to get open in the mid-range, turn, and hit the streaking cutter for the goal. Sam is another returner who may partner with Nate as the team's primary handlers. With the two captains being switched hands (Nate righty, Sam lefty) look for them to cause headaches on opposing teams unable to hold a consistent force. They will be able to huck at will.

2013-2014 Captains Named

The Maple Grove Ultimate program has become two sided this past year. Maintaining its everyone come play once a week club status, it also stepped into the Minnesota High School Ultimate league and successfully finished 16th in state. With a varsity roster that graduated thirteen seniors and all three club captains, the search was on for new leadership.

Captain Steven heads to Duluth to play for the Northern Lights and named now senior Nate as his replacement captain. Captain Cullen off to play with the Blue Skunks has named younger brother and emerging star Dylan to replace him. Captain DJ heading to the University of Minnesota to play for the Grey Duck did not nominate North Suburban Conference rookie of the year, and younger brother Mitchell. He instead nominated Sam-Russell's younger brother-an incoming Junior as his replacement captain. However, the three former captains were not done. All three got together and nominated incoming junior Treyton as the fourth Captain.

Passing the torch to these four gives a lot of diversity to the team. The four captains include a varsity swimmer, football player, cross country runner, and Sam who is really good at doing things on the computer. A blend of different backgrounds the four are expected to have a large recruiting reach. However, replacing the athleticism of the 2013 team may not be the issue. Replacing the star power lost by the three captains has been the concern. With a season under their belt and a wealth of different skills, the four captains look ready to take on the challenge of repeating as conference champions.

Innagural Crimson Cup Ultimate Tournament

The first ever Maple Grove Disc Club Crimson Cup was hosted earlier this week at the Senior High. The tournament format pitted returning and future Senior High Ultimate players against teams of graduated students heading into or enrolled in college. The tournament had players 7 players playing for Maple Grove and 14 college players from ten different schools.

Maple Grove
Noah (Jr), Alec (Jr), Jess (Jr), Nate (Sr), Mitchell (Jr), Timmy (Jr), Dylan (Jr)

College 1
Cullen (MSU), Mercer (NDSU), Brady (NDSU), Ryan (E.C.), Tyler (GAC), Grant (BU), Andy (BMS)

College 2
DJ (UMN), Cory (UMN), Zach (UMD), Steven (UMD), Mack (DU), Mark (WSU), Nate (LaC)

In the first game of Maple Grove vs College 2 teams came out hucking through the wind and forcing early turnovers. A low scoring back and forth affair Maple Grove was able to defeat College 2 benefitting off of sloppy throws and superior athleticism by one goal.

The second game of College 1 and Maple Grove was much of the same. Maple Grove was unable to capitalize off of long throws and was forced to work the disc up slowly. College 1 clearly the faster team was enormously aggressive but was unable to find key connections in the end zone. However, College 1s superior athleticism wore down Maple Grove for a one point victory.

In the final game of College 1 and College 2, College 1 came out victorious with another one point victory. This game was different and they converted on their end zone looks early and often.

College 1 were tournament champions.

Open Mic Night Ultimate Tournament

Open Mic Night is an ultimate tournament hosted by the new A Capella Ultimate Club in the Twin Cities.  This inaugural Open Mic Night is Saturday June 15th in St. Michael Minnesota.  

Currently, the tournament has seven bids filled out of a possible twelve. The teams to highlight this tournament are: 
1. A Capella Ultimate
2. Shinigami
3. Doom
4. Uruk-Sky
5. WUFDA Club
6. Windier City Ultimate
7. Saint John's BAM

This is a great warm up tournament for club teams around Minnesota or teams just looking to play some fun competitive ultimate. There will be basic tournament amenities such as bananas and peanut butter sandwiches. A little something extra there will be spikeball, music and an actual open mic. 

If you have any questions about Open Mic Night, contact tournament director Mike Otsman. 
612-306-5484 or email at acapellaultimate@gmail.com 

Summer Ultimate 2013

Summer Ultimate 2013

The Maple Grove Ultimate Disc Club (DC for short) meets at Maple Grove Senior High Wednesdays at 2:00 pm. This Club is open to males and females ages fifteen and up. The kind of people we are looking for are individuals who play ultimate or are interested in learning more about the sport. This is a very open, friendly, and straight up fun way to meet new people and enjoy a fun outdoor activity. 

The first day of club will be Wednesday June 5th at 2:00 pm Maple Grove Senior High. Things to bring are: a light and dark shirt, running shoes, athletic clothing, and water.

For more information contact: 
DJ Rekstad at mgultimatemn@gmail.com