Ultimate frisbee starts training, dreams of Nationals

By Linden Warling

A frisbee flies out of the mist. It is Monday, 6 a.m. The sun has not yet risen, but ultimate frisbee players of all shapes and sizes are already spread across the field, preparing for a productive practice.

The women’s team, Artemis, and the men’s team, Bacchus, are the two club ultimate frisbee teams that compete for Lewis & Clark. With the competitive season in the spring and the off-season in the fall, there is plenty of opportunity for growth. Additionally, since the teams are not on the varsity level, anyone is welcome to join.

Marco Dregni ’19, one of the Bacchus team captains, commented on how ultimate differs from varsity level sports.

“(Ultimate frisbee) doesn’t require the same kind of commitment as varsity athletics, but still is very competitive,” Dregni said. “It’s a really good community … I like being able to play a competitive sport that I can continue to play once I get out of college.”

Caley Moon ’20, one of the Artemis captains, also admires the sense of community within the LC ultimate teams.

“I think my favorite part is really that community that I have … I also think it’s kind of a standout at Lewis & Clark because of the way it operates and how accepting it is,” Moon said. “I think Lewis & Clark is a school that tends to struggle to create those types of communities and so we’re something that really attracts lower classmen because of that.”

This year, Artemis has attracted more than 15 new players, including McKenzie Wingard ’21.

“I was really looking to try something new. I’ve played other sports for a long time and I had some friends that were already playing and drew me into it,” Wingard said.  “I really appreciate the friendships I’ve made with the other players on Artemis. They’re super fun, a super nice group and I’m glad to be part of it.” she said.

The relaxed level of commitment in the fall semester and the welcoming nature of the teams presents an amazing opportunity to get exercise and make friends, as well as construct a base for the competition season in spring. Another goal for the teams this year is to create a better relationship between Artemis and Bacchus, which has not been as strong in the past.

The ultimate teams, both womens and mens, held a meeting discussing what gender equity should like throughout athletics, not just ultimate frisbee.  

“I think frisbee — especially at Lewis & Clark — is really paving the way for other sports, almost as an example for what gender equity should look like,” Moon said. “I think the Bacchus boys and us (sic) were really open to having that conversation, which was awesome to see.”

Dregni also discussed the new effort to strengthen the relationship between the two teams.  

“It’s pretty nice to have a team that’s not just one gender … it’s cool to have a community that’s bigger than just people of your own gender and get to play with those people and hang out with them outside of frisbee.” Dregni said.

With discs in hand and cleats on feet, Artemis and Bacchus are ready to work hard with dreams of Nationals in mind.