After a long day of learning, Ultimate Frisbee meets up at three to let loose and have fun. Scrimmages and practices take place on the fields where Coultrap Elementary School used to be located, lasting only an hour and a half on every Wednesday.

Once the season starts in the spring, the team will practice on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week. The club sport can trace its origins to Coach Schoen, who has been in charge for many years at Geneva High School, in addition to having experience playing on his own.

“I played recreationally in college; nothing formally organized,” Schoen said. “I started the [Ultimate Frisbee] club [at GHS] in 2004. We began competing in spring ultimate in 2010.”

The spring and fall seasons differ in that the fall, which comes first, is used as a more relaxed and fun way to bond with teammates. Practice makes perfect during this time to set the players up for success in the spring, which is where the real competitive season begins.

“The way I see it, the fall season is more club-like, but the spring season is more sport-like,” club member Steven Danek said. “The fall league is an intramural in which we are just looking for a good time. The fall is good for people looking to try something new, and the spring is great for quickly accelerating your skills and is a better fit for athletes and those that want to invest a little more time into the sport.”

Danek, who recently took on the role of team captain, has been expanding drills and scrimmages practiced by the team. Being team captain is reserved only for those who have committed the most time to the team and have shown how their leadership skills can thrive when being in charge. Steven joined during the spring season of his freshman year and has been playing ever sense.

“For me, it is a great opportunity to practice my leadership and share my love of ultimate with others.” Danek said.

Soren Larson, another senior involved with Ultimate, joined during his junior year. Soren had a promising spring season last year and has high hopes for this spring. Joining Ultimate Frisbee has expanded his friendships and opened a new pathway of communication skills and responsibility.

“My friends were all in the sport and I wanted to play a fun yet active sport,” Larson said.

This year, the team has high expectations for themselves, after advancing deep in the playoffs last season. The team has planned to work on elevating the playing field and recruiting younger athletes.

“Ideally, I am looking to place in the State tournament again, potentially 1st even, but it will ultimately be determined by how much each individual will put into the season,” Danek said. “Regardless, I am looking forward to a terrific season and am hoping to see some new faces.”

Since the spring season is more physically demanding, players stay in shape, grow their skills, and continue to bond as a team which translates to victory on the field.

“I plan to put in more practice myself and offer extra training opportunities to my peers,” Danek said. “Our cutting lineup for the spring is looking really strong, but the handling lineup needs a bit of work. I would like to focus on developing the teams throwing skills to remedy and improve this area of our team.”

Ultimate helps individuals to grow and develop as people by building up skill sets and obligation to their teammates. Joining Ultimate Frisbee can only lead to a great experience where you will meet friends and learn.

“You will get in shape, learn the game, gain the skills to play ultimate in the future, and you will be a part of something special; a team sport experience much more fun and fulfilling than any other you have experienced before,” Schoen said. “Since ultimate can be played by people of all skill levels, it is something you can take with you and introduce to those you meet in the future.”