Tuesday, August 5, 2014

CHM Tournament Recap

Another Chuck Hermann Memorial Tournament in the books and it did not disappoint. This year's tournament featured the underdog Floppy Discs make a dramatic run at the title game, three do or die universe point games, and a second straight year of A Capella facing off against Critical Point in the championship.

With a same day dropout, the 3rd Annual CHM had 7 total teams competing. Critical Point, Above All Roofing, and Discepticons made up Pool A. A Capella, Mighty Platypi, Floppy Discs and Victorious Secret made up Pool B.

Critical Point won the first two games of Pool B guaranteeing their spot as 1A in the semifinals. In the third and final game the Rochester youth team Discepticons took on Above All Roofing in the first of three universe point decided games. The Discepticons won a multiple possession point and rushed the field clinching their spot in the semifinals as 2A.

On the other side of things a short handed A Capella squad rolled past the Mighty Platypi as Maple Grove-sporting multiple new players-got by Victorious Secret. This set up the second meeting between MG and ACU. This game was much like their early scrimmage as the addition of Mitchell Rekstad wasn't enough to push them over the top. ACU notched their second win of the day guaranteeing their spot in the semifinals. In their third game ACU and VS were tied 3-3 at half before ACU turned up the intensity to pull away for good.

During the ACU-MG game the Mighty Platypi defeated Victorious secret to match the Floppy Discs with 1 win and 1 loss records. The Floppy Discs won another close one to clinch the fourth and final spot in the semifinals against Critical Point.

In the semifinals A Capella took off to an 8-0 halftime lead and 11-0 lead in the second half all before the Discepticons were able to score their first point. The A Capella-Discepticons game finished up at halftime of the Maple Grove-Critical Point Semifinal. Maple Grove began the half down 3 points but came storming back to tie it up late. This set up the second universe point game of the tournament. Once again there were multiple possessions on both sides, but two hucks from Dylan Garves one just out of the reach of Clark Wieneke in the endzone and another a jump ball that Mitchell failed to bring down were as close as they came. Critical Point punched it in threw the Wall to face ACU again in the finals.

In the rematch Finals A Capella took a 3-2 halftime lead. A massive huck from Cullen to DJ and layouts from Mike and Cullen on defense were a few of the key plays needed to take the lead. Critical Point quickly closed the gap in the second half to put the game back on serve, and a marathon point at 5-4 ACU lasted nearly the entire second half. Critical Point scored to tie it up and force the third and final universe point of the tournament. Unlike the other two, there were no turnovers this time around. One possession was all that was needed before DJ Rekstad threw the game winner to Dirk Meyer for the championship.



Friday, August 1, 2014

A Capella vs Floppy Discs Round One

On July 31st the first ever meeting between the A Capella Ultimate Club and the Floppy Discs of Maple Grove took place at Maple Grove Junior High. This scrimmage was a precursor to their matchup in the upcoming Chuck Hermann Memorial Ultimate Tournament in Rochester on August 2nd. After a half hour of game play the teams began an up to 10 game in which A Capella won 10-2. Maple Grove was clearly superior in speed and overall athleticism, but the experience of the A Capella players (average of 4.65 years of play) won out.

Sam Franta, Jayme Richardson and the Wieneke brothers all made their debuts for Maple Grove with impressive potential and athleticism. Milo Rice coming off of a season in the MNYU Summer League impressed early before being sidelined with injury. The Discs were disappointed with the scoreline, but were missing key players in Mitchell Rekstad, Shawn Hilst, Jake Willson, and Sam Holland.

On the other side of the field Cullen Garves and DJ Rekstad (former MG Captains) looked good in this warm-up for the CHM Tournament August 2nd. With rumors of low numbers the former captains may suit up for Maple Grove come Saturday. A Capella took second place in this tournament last season and have got their sights set on the team's first championship.

Friday, July 25, 2014

A Capella MUDI Recap

A Capella wrapped up a successful weekend at the Minnesota Ultimate Disc Invitational in Maple Plain Minnesota. The Open Division of the tournament saw 15 teams compete from Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Winnipeg. Out of the 15 teams A Capella was seeded thirteenth but finished 10th overall. They lost their first three games in pool play, but rebounded winning all three of their consolation games.

A Capella was placed as the fourth seed in Pool A. The pool included Climax, Blocka Cheddar and Wisconsin Hops. They finished 3rd, 2nd, and 6th respectfully but were seeded 1st, 8th and 13th. This was the group of death in which 3 of the four teams broke seed and the only team that didn't finished with two losses to the first and second place team.

In game one A Capella lost 15-1 against Blocka Cheddar. BC was made up of Masters division National contender Surly and Grey Ducks.

In game two A Capella lost 15-2 against Climax the perennially second best Open team in Minnesota.

In game three A Capella lost 15-4 against Wisconsin Hops. They also lost 13-4 against Hops in the MS Open.

That wrapped up pool play and for their first game of consolation they faced off against YCC Open B and won 15-8.

In their first game on Sunday, A Capella played against Male Men. Male Men was an open team created by Brandon Matis a Winona State Ultimate player that was part of the leadership of the Banana Slugs (The former team name of the A Capella Ultimate Club). In that game A Capella won in upset fashion.

In their final game, the boys of MOFO put up their closest fight yet. A Capella escaped with a 14-11 hard cap victory. MOFO put up a late run with four straight scores but failed to convert a downwind point to keep the game alive.

Breaking seed by 3 is a success and due to the poor seeding of 0-5 Imperial (9 seed), A Capella did not get a shot at facing off against the 8th or 9th place finishers YCC Open A and Mad Men. Their next competition will be August 2nd in Rochester Minnesota. ACU will be competing in the 3rd Annual Chuck Hermann Memorial Ultimate Tournament. ACU also competed in the 2nd Annual where they finished second losing 12-11 on universe point to a local area Rochester League Team.

It'll be championship or bust for ACU next weekend as this young team looks to continue its development.

Chuck Hermann Tournament Pools Announced

The pools have been announced for the Third Annual Chuck Hermann Memorial Ultimate Tournament. Last year's tournament saw A Capella Ultimate make a strong run at the championship only to see a second half comeback thwarted on universe point. They now return as the number two overall seed and top seed in Pool B.

The pool includes:
1. A Capella Ultimate
2. Mighty Platypi
3. Maple Grove Disc Club
4. Victorious Secret

Pool A includes:
1. Critical Point
2. Discepticons
3. Above All Roofing
4. Average Hucks

Maple Grove will be making their first appearance in the tournament as the number three seed in Pool B. The format for the CHM Tournament is unlike any other tournament.

Pool play will consist of two 15 minute running time halves with a 5 minute halftime.
Each team is allowed one timeout per half and no timeouts in overtime.
In the case of a tie, a sudden death overtime (universe) point will be played for the victory
A disc toss will determine possession in overtime

It remains to be seen if this type of game format will help or hinder the Floppy Discs, but what is certain is that they won't have much leeway. The tournament allows for only the top two seeds from each pool to move on to the semifinals. A Capella was undefeated in pool play last year and have only improved this season. Assuming they sweep the pool that leaves only two games for the Discs, both must wins in order to secure the two seed.

Next Thursday's scrimmage against A Capella will not only be an early viewing of their second opponent, but also a great warm-up for the type of competition they will face in the tournament.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Scrimmage Anounced

Maple Grove Ultimate has been fairly dormant during the summer season, but is about to kick off a wave of competition here in late July and early August. On Thursday July 31st, Maple Grove will face off with second year club team A Capella Ultimate. You'll remember A Capella because coach Mark Waananen and former players DJ Rekstad, Nate Haines, and Cullen Garves are all on that team. This will be a fun matchup and good gauge of the team's level of play. Depending on who is able to attend, A Capella could be sporting multiple division one college players or a bunch of mid twenties scrubs.

Maple Grove's next competition will be August 2nd in Rochester for the 3rd Annual Chuck Hermann Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. Excitingly enough A Capella will also be in attendance, possibly with a split squad. Next Thursday's scrimmage could be a preview of a tournament matchup, or even an early showing of the club's future stars. Already having recruited both DJ and Cullen, it's no secret that Dylan and Mitchell will not be far behind in joining their older brothers on the club scene.

Maple Grove is also expected to possibly debut some of their new recruits in the upcoming scrimmage. Sam Franta, Clark Wieneke, and Cal McKinny are all players that are rumored to have interest in joining the 2015 campaign. More news to come.

Monday, June 30, 2014

MGDCs in Summer League

For the first time, Maple Grove has players participating in the Minnesota Youth Ultimate Summer league. The Summer League plays twice a week in both Minneapolis and Blaine, and features dozens and dozens of players from around the metro looking to continue their play and try out for the Youth Club Championship Teams. This year Dylan Garves, Noah Corwin and DJ Rekstad are playing for Team England. Harrison Culotta is playing on Team France, Mitchell Rekstad is playing on Team Spain, Milo Rice is playing on Team Italy, and Shawn Hilst is playing on Team Brazil. Several players have been approached about joining the YCC system that will get under way after summer league ends in early July. MGDC's summer session is getting under way slowly, but the Summer League has allowed players to get in quality games against high competition.

Also for the first time Maple Grove will open up competitive play in the Exit 69 Tournament this Fall; the weekend of September 27th and 28th.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Dylan and Mitchell win All Conference Honors

For the second consecutive season in Maple Grove's two year history, two players were named to the All-Conference Team. Last year's award winners saw DJ Rekstad and Atherton Wiseman win All-Conference honors and Mitchell Rekstad win Rookie of The Year.

This season Mitchell Rekstad and Dylan Garves made the all conference team and were awarded sweet looking shorts for their efforts. Mitchell and Dylan picked up right where their brothers left off and even led the team to a better record (9-4 vs. 7-6) than their brothers the previous season.

Side Note-Milo Rice was an honorable mention for North Suburban Rookie of the Year, and was recently invited to an extended tryout for the YCC team this summer.