BY JAKE ZABSKI
As the Stonehill Ultimate Frisbee men and women teams loaded up the Stonehill-provided vans for the 14-hour drive down to Myrtle Beach, anticipation and excitement ran high down Interstate 95.
The teams would be spending their spring break week in South Carolina, playing in the High Tide Ultimate Tournament.
The High Tide Ultimate Tournament takes place every March in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and many different teams representing colleges from across the country travel to the tournament each year.
Junior Aidan Shea is the captain of the men’s Frisbee team and this was his second time going to the tournament.
“This year, I am a captain, so I was able to plan the trip and it was very nerve-wracking. I wanted to make sure that the traditions and trip stay alive,” Shea said.
Per tradition, the Frisbee team members rent out beach houses near the tournament, spending their time on spring break equally throwing the disc around as well as lounging on the beach and exploring what the coastal Carolinas have to offer, from alligators to souvenir shopping.
Traditions and downtime though are just aspects of what makes this trip so special though. The Frisbee teams traveled down to South Carolina to play hard and represent Stonehill amongst the likes of Penn State and Michigan State, and they did just that.
Shea said that it’s an impressive feat for Stonehill to play amongst teams that are Division I or have even gone to nationals.
“Each team plays so differently and has so many traditions that they bring to the field. Being able to watch the different formations or ways other teams and players play has helped me learn so much about the game,” Shea said.
The Stonehill Frisbee team won seven games and lost two overall. Shea coached both teams at the tournament since he sprained his ankle and could not play himself.
“The team doing so well is something that made me so proud of all of them. They really rallied and played hard,” Shea said.
Shea attributes his rally speech during a time out in a game against Furman University as the cause for Stonehill to make a huge comeback from 0 to 4, winning the game against Furman.
“We played hard and kept up with the only undefeated team left until finally beating them,” Shea said.
While these achievements make the tournament a fun experience for the teams, it is truly the bonding and teamwork that Shea says is the best part of the trip.
“You are together 24/7 for a week so you get to know each other better and build a lot of chemistry on and off the field. The chemistry helps you play better as well as just be friends and helpful to everyone else,” Shea said.
Students looking to attend an ultimate Frisbee game before their season ends are encouraged to attend the New England Open tournament in nearby Rehoboth, Massachusetts this coming Saturday and Sunday, April 2 and 3 where the Stonehill teams will play.
Photos provided by Aidan Shea.
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