Huck Finn Recap

Eager to improve on a strong showing at Centex two weeks ago, magnUM cruised into the greater St. Louis area aboard sweet new spaceship vans. Saturday exhibited plenty of Natural Michigan Ultimate. Despite the strong start, magnUM would leave St. Louis Sunday frowning upon a missed opportunity.

Georgia

magnUM arrived at the fields bright and early Saturday (but not before the sun rose this time), ready to tangle with Jojah, a rematch from 2008 Nationals and last fall’s Classic City Classic. Typical of college students early on a Saturday morning, both teams spent a couple of points feeling each other out and/or waking up. More than one ridiculous turn was made. But magnUM D, reprising its starring role from Centex, took control midway through the first half. Riding three breaks in short succession with contributions from everyone on the D line, magnUM took half 7-5. What transpired in the second half depends on your perspective. Jojah fans will probably say they battled hard and hung around for a long time. magnUM partisans will tell you they didn’t deliver the killing blow to an inferior opponent. Jojah would push magnUM into OT, but fell to the maize and blue 14-12. Now normally we make space in this blog for individual highlights, but our highlight regards Ultimate rules. Beaker would like to ask a certain Jojah player to please read (find a Georgia Tech student if you need help with this) the 11th edition rules. He was right.

Purdue

The Purdue game, following a mid-morning bye, kicked off a string of three straight games against regional potential foes. Thus they marked a chance for magnUM to make a statement for matchups in early May and earn a good seed. magnUM would not squander the opportunity and cruised to a 13-3 win.

Worth noting in the game was the development within the magnUM roster combining major missing pieces from earlier spring action. Tim Lee, Matt MarcUM, Derrick Wolbert, Alex Fegert and Patrick Collins weren’t just added depth but starring players. More than a turn or two happened against Georgia as these guys established tournament chemistry with the core. But the rest of the weekend these guys were as integrated as anyone else on magnUM and each collected their share of big plays.

Illinois

Up next was regional rival Illinois. magnUM steamrolled the Illini. 13-2. Enough said.

Notre Dame

The mention of Notre Dame vs Michigan conjures up one of the great rivalries in college football. Thanks to a defeat at the hands of Papal Rage at the Classic City Classic last fall and Notre Dame’s top 10 ranking going into the game, this game had the making of a big matchup. magnUM was not found wanting. Continuing the strong Illinois game, magnUM came out firing and quickly secured a couple of breaks. The game would settle in, magnUM taking half at 7-4. The second half was a testament to the strength of magnUM’s O-line, arguably the team’s stronger half this tournament (we love you O-line!). The second half featured zero breaks, but the O-line carried the day as Michigan went on for a 13-9 final score.

One of the highlights of the Notre Dame game related to the games within the game. Playing on the field adjacent to magnUM was a school from further south and a player known for his hammer. Will Neff asserted he has a pretty sweet hammer as well. From the shadow of the cone in his own end zone, Will launched a full field hammer miles over the top of the ND zone to his fellow captain Ollie Hondred. Two things are notable. One was the sound of jaws slamming on the ground while the disc was in the air. Second was a raw childish glee on Will’s face during the play. Just to reassure the audience this was no fluke, Will did it again, glee included.

Another highlight to the came thanks to the hands of Matt MarcUM. During a hard fought point in the game, MarcUM made a hot grab in traffic for a score. Pumped about this, Matt spiked the disc. Apparently the good kids at Papal Rage aren’t such a fan of disc spiking, a feature of intense college Ultimate, and by no means anything personal. A word or two was pushed, and even a captain’s request to not spike was sent forth. Sorry guys, but Matt was pumped about the score, not trying to spit in your face. To quote Ben DeLand, “chill out guys.”

Iowa

I’ve failed so far to mention one of the more important parts of the weekend. Wind. The fields were in the middle of an elevated plain in the middle of, according to one free-speaking magnUMite, “God’s country.” While we managed to dodge the forecasted showers and thunderstorms on Sunday, a steady wind was present for the vast majority of points this weekend. If you were present you saw all manner of zones and junk D’s thrown, and more than one amusing throw. magnUM players Alex Fegert (classy flick pull…out-of-bounds at the wrong 1-inch line) and Pope “moonshot” Euges were far from alone in succumbing to the wind. One of the more comical highlights of the weekend featured magnUM’s two shortest players, Dtow and Bandit. Downfield defending a huck from an opponent to remain nameless, a huck better described as an ridiculously floaty throw, Derek and Jeff jockeyed for position furiously amidst taller opponents while waiting on the still floating disc. While this was happening, Dave Fumo grabbed some BTB, checked in on the latest Pastafarian happenings, did a cheeky set and finally resolved the dilemma in favor of magnUM.

I digress. magnUM won 13-7 to start 3-0 thus far against teams from the Big Ten (though there is no such conference in Ultimate).

Wisconsin

The Hodags won 13-7. Lots of reasons factor into the why. First, Wisconsin to their credit brings a core of players that have seen the pinnacle of college Ultimate and know how to bring the intensity necessary in a big game. For another, magnUM might have been looking ahead to the BCS-style amalgamation in place for deciding the Huck Finn final, worrying about margin of victory instead of taking care of business. Witnessing those same Hodags lose twice earlier in the tournament certainly didn’t help the focus. There’s more of course, and if you’re privy to magnUM practice in the next few weeks, you’re certain to get a glimpse or two. Bottom line: 7-13.

magnUM and its partisans should be able to take a measure of solace from this loss. A broken eleven game winning streak is never fun, but disguised in any run of success are the growth of bad habits and insufficient mental preparation. Nothing like falling back down to earth to ensure we keep the right habits moving on towards the series.

Missouri

The theme in the huddle before the Missouri game was about digging out of the Wisconsin rut as the first step building towards sectionals. magnUM jumped out strong taking two straight breaks right out of the gate. A bit of a lull ensued and Missouri even earned a break. Someone on the Missouri sideline is reported to have said “we might even win this game.” While we mean no disrespect to Missouri (who showed great spirit), they were not Moutaineers from Boone, North Carolina and a last second field goal attempt was not needed. Sharing points across the entire roster, magnUM rolled the rest of the way to a 15-6 victory, including a 7-1 second half. While the pain of the prior loss will not go away, the initial recovery has begun.

To be continued…

If you’d like to see what happens next, suggest you join us at Versluis-Dickinson Park in Kalamazoo on April 18-19 for Sectionals. Let the series begin.