Sports

After New England Win, Ultimate to Search for Third Title in Five Years

Despite graduating several core players, An- dover Ultimate looks for- ward to a strong season, keeping up the strong reputation they have earned in the past. In the last four years, Andover Ultimate has won the New England Championships two times and qualified for the A division of the Amherst Invitational, which hosts the top teams in the East Coast.

Of the 30 players trying out for the team this spring, 18 will make the team. Captain Brandon Wong ’12, is confident and enthusiastic about this season. “Every year we graduate a lot of play- ers, and last year was no exception. Our whole starting lineup last year was more or less all seniors. We still have Dylan Gully [’12] and David Russell [’12], who, in terms of throws, are the best kids we’ve had in the past four years. Everybody else, in terms of athleticism, are the most athletic that we’ve ever had. It’s just about teaching them to throw, and we can do that, along with learning all
of strategy, so we should be fine.”

As for this season’s goals, Wong has very clear goals to overcome the setbacks of limited time and limited experience. “In practices, a lot of the top schools, like Amherst Regional High School, practice for three hours every day. At Phillips Academy, since we can’t do that, we are going to do a lot of scrimmages outside of practice to get our game skill up in order for tournament time.”

Ultimate has a packed schedule, with games Friday, Saturday, and Wednesday, leading up the New England Championships and the Am- herst Invitational. “Of course I’m optimistic about this season! It’s my favorite time of the year!” Wong concluded. Their first game will be a home game next Wednesday against New- ton North.