_“[The] goal is to win every game. If that isn’t your goal, I am not sure why you are playing.” — Thomas Bakken ’14 of Team 2_
With midterms here and the spring sun shining, the race to the Clustimate Championship has heated up. Phillipian Sports Writer Payton Jancsy brings you an in-depth Clustimate Scouting Report to make your hedges. Take a gander at these analyses that to give you an inside scoop of each team’s secret (or not so secret) weapons, leadership qualities and game winning mentalities.
Photos by Phillipian Photo Editor Lucius Xuan ’15
* * *
**Team 1**
Team 1 is anchored by newcomer Travis Bouscaren ’14, who has the height and skill to play with the best. Bouscaren is no stranger to leadership; Bouscaren Co-Captained Andover Boys Water Polo to its first-ever Water Polo Championship last fall.
“Not only can he throw, but he is 6’ 7” so if you throw the disc in his general direction he will almost always catch it. We were 0-3 but with Travis we have won the last two games,” said Matt Jacobs ’14.
A core of upperclassmen support Bouscaren, including Jacobs, Farris Peale ’14, Jack Elliot-Higgins ’14, Anna Abraham ’14, Alec D’Alelio ’14 and Tasmia Ahmad ’14.
* * *
**Team 2**
Team 2 is considered by many to be the front-runner for this year’s Championship. The team is loaded with a slew of athletic powerhouses.
Michael Camarda ’14 is the voice of the team. A Varsity Swimmer, his build and strength enable him to bring in most discs thrown in his direction.
“I’ve always known I’ve had one of the strongest arms in the league. My old man taught me to toss the disc when I was a mere child,” said Camarda ’14.
“Clint Yoo ’14 is one of our dark horses, he gets down the field fast so we can hit him on the long ball,” said Bakken.
* * *
**Team 3**
Team 3 is a sleeper in this year’s bracket.
The team boasts a senior-studded roster, but the flashy game-changers are few and far between. The team’s victories have come from gritty performances.
Without many gamebreakers, the team needs continued contributions from Madeline Engel ’14, Pranav Dorbala ’14, and Joseph Nam ’14 if it wants to go deep this year.
According to Senior leader Henry Manning ’14, newcomer Richard Shim ’16 has been the MVP of the young season. “He’s always pushing us to be a bit better, always making runs and falling back to make crazy diving catches,” Manning said.
Searching for another standout to complement Manning and Shim, rising star Stanley Ng ’15 must quickly learn from the Seniors if the team is to head in the right direction.
If the team can find a consistent third option to complement with its two senior stars, the rest of the league better watch out.
Title aspirations aside, Team 3 tries not to lose focus of the goal, “I enjoy clustimate a whole lot but I try to keep it in perspective…Playing to have fun is my ultimate goal,” Manning added.
* * *
**Team 4**
Mofei’s Angels, or Team 4, has two standouts who could make all the difference.
Co-President Elect Rebecca Somer ’15 has the leadership ability and Alex Rubin ’14 has the strength and skill.
The team’s name comes from teammate Mofei Wu ’14 who according to Somer, is the heart and passion of the team.
“We have lost almost all our games, mostly by one, but each new team we play seems a little better than the one before, so I think we’re improving. Our weakness is passing and strategy. While we have good frisbee throwers, catching is the real struggle for Mofei’s Angels, but, like I said, we get better and better each day,” said Somer, who is also a JV Wrestler.
Soha Sanchorawala ’14 contributes to this team’s success with her uncontested speed. Noah Wintman ’16, the team’s handler, consistently relies on Sanchorawala to get open.
* * *
**Team 5**
Team 5 has the potential to create a nice Cinderella story. Like Team 3, Team 5 is seen by some as an underdog for the Championship.
“Size isn’t everything. We’re better than we look,” said Senior leader Reid Meyer ’14, who has embraced the underdog role.
Led by senior standout Ben Yi ’14, Team 5 is looking to shed the overachiever label and make some real waves in the Clustimate pool.
Adam Moustafa ’14 and Brian Kim ’14 add to the team’s senior leadership.
While winning is paramount, not all the members of the team are entirely results oriented, “Our goal is to just have fun and hopefully win some games,” said Monica Traniello ’15.
* * *
**Team 6**
Team 6 has an altruistic look to some very intense competition.
“A good Ultimate player is one who puts the team before himself, ones who is not solely concerned on scoring,” said Michael Najem ’16.
Najem added that because his teammates put the team before themselves, they have had a lot of success with a winning start. The team’s goal is to go undefeated the rest of the way.
Bach Hoang ’15, Amogh Sharma ’14 and Charles Van Eijk ’14 will play an important role on the team.
* * *
**Team 7**
Harry Cohen ’14 carries Team 7 with high-caliber speed and is acknowledged by his fellow Clustimate players as one of the best players in the league. Wrestling Co-Captain James Palmer ’14 is also a force to be reckoned with on the field.
Despite their youth, lowers Darren Ty ’16 and Theo Perez ’16 have also shown potential to flourish.
“We are a good, cooperative team, no one hogs the disc. Harry and James are great players and they are a part of the life blood of our team,” said Perez.
Added Perez, “I have big dreams. It is a dog eat dog world out there, always have to be on your toes, and you have to stay vigilant out there.”
* * *
**Team 8**
Team 8’s goal is to “knock down [the opposing team’s] frisbee, count to ten faster than usual to pressure them from threats of stalling, and in general use defense to win championships,” said former Phillipian Features Editor Jake Marrus ’14.
In order to achieve these goals, Marrus has a high set of expectations.
“It would be optimal if everybody mastered not just the backhand throwing technique, but also forehand, hammer and the lesser known fireball. Offensively, we have mastered two handed catches, which, though less glamorous, are much more reliable,” said Marrus.
While Team 8 doesn’t have any big-name stars, the team is full of heart and plays best when it has fun, according to Senior leader Henry DeRuff ’14.
One of Team 8’s players who is flying under the radar is Ali Decker ’14.
“[Decker] is a secret weapon of our, a great thrower and can catch anything,” said Henry DeRuff of Team 8.
