Towards the end of July 2024, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) declared Ultimate Frisbee an official sport that could have true Varsity and JV teams. Ultimate Frisbee combines elements of soccer, basketball, and football, so it attracts various athletes with diverse skill sets. Now that the sport is no longer just a club, the stakes are higher. Frisbee players are excited to show off their team that has been rigorously practicing since the first few months of school.
Just as the sport has risen in popularity all over the globe, the North Atlanta Ultimate Frisbee Team has gained traction in the past few years. This year’s team is comprised of about 40 players, which makes it larger than any previous NAHS Ultimate team. Some players’ careers began at Sutton Middle School, while others had never played the sport until high school. The Ultimate Frisbee team is extremely welcoming to everyone, accepting all skill levels and genders. Currently, Senior Taylor So is the only girl on the team, but they are always looking for more recruits! New players, such as sophomore Davis Barnes, not only love the physical aspect of the sport but also rave about the social elements. “My favorite thing about Ultimate is the people on the team because I never would have normally met them at a school so large,” said Barnes.
This year’s Ultimate Frisbee team is stacked with many great athletes. Senior Jack Shultz played on the team as a freshman and sophomore but took a break during junior year. However, the Dubs star is back, and better than ever. He brings a potent mix of size, speed, and skill that few players possess. Furthermore, senior Sergio de la Cruz not only brings talent on the field but is also a great teammate off the field. He is known for staying positive and boosting morale. The team is captained by seniors Daniel Hunter and Jake Nelson, two veterans who are extremely vital to the team’s success. “This team really feels different and I think we have the potential to have a great season,” said Nelson.
As an official sport, the captains and coaches hope to make this season more serious than prior years. The team has been training during the off-season to prepare for their spring games. Now that the season has started back up, the team trains at least twice a week at North Atlanta or Peachtree Hills, but they hope to increase the number of practices per week. At practice, the team will typically run through a few drills and then scrimmage at the end. Recently, the team has implemented forms of conditioning, such as running a mile. The team is coached by Connor Stoll, Alan Joel, and Logan Storts. North Atlanta junior Fuller Stoll is Connor Stoll’s younger brother. Connor played on the intramural Ultimate Frisbee team at the University of Georgia, so he is very experienced with the sport. “I love having my brother coach us,” said Fuller Stoll. “He’s a great coach who knows what he is talking about and how to make us a better team.”
Unfortunately, the Dubs came up short in all their games at the tournament this past weekend. However, this is only a motivational factor for the rest of the season. They will move past these losses, learn from their mistakes, and work even harder at future games. The Ultimate Frisbee team has several upcoming tournaments, and they would love to have some student support at their next games!
