Load up the oxygen tanks; the horsecows are going to COLORADO.
Such was the sentiment expressed by members of the Oberlin Flying Horsecows following the Great Lakes Regionals. Their play at the April 24-25 tourney earned our own men's ultimate frisbee team second place at the GLR and a trip to the college national championships at Boulder, Colorado. The weekend was dominated by the 'Cows whose only loss came at the hands of tournament champion and national qualifier University of Michigan.
"We weren't surprised as much as relieved," said senior Dan 'Podin' Feldman. "I think everyone, in the back of their minds, knew we could [make nationals]. After upsetting [second-ranked] Illinois on the first day, I was sure we could do it."
This year marks the fourth time this decade that Oberlin has qualified for the national tournament. "It's something of landmark in that Oberlin is recognized as a power in nation-wide Ultimate," said senior co-captain Ben Grubb. Oberlin and Carleton College will be the only schools of their size at nationals. "We will be the only colleges in a tournament of big universities," Grubb said. "It's [an] honor to be bearing the liberal arts torch."
The 'Cows will face rival Iowa, perennial national power Stanford, and third-ranked N.C. State in pool play. Oberlin split four meetings with Iowa during the past year, and lost narrowly to Stanford this spring in a game considered by all to be a sub-par performance. "[Stanford and Iowa] are the teams we're shooting to win against," said Grubb, "then give the #3 ranked N.C.S.U. a game."
"I think we've got the best pool as far as possible upsets go," Feldman said. "We'd like to make the prequarters, but from there it's a long shot. There are about seven teams with a legit shot at the national championship, but from there the field is about evenly spread... I'll be happy if we upset some teams and finish ahead of our seeding."
Players are optimistic over the team's chances. "This is the strongest team Oberlin has fielded in the past few years and it is not built on one or two key players, but around a core of 16 or so solid athletes all of whom contribute to the team," said junior Todd Daloz. "We can match up against the best teams in the country and while our chances are not great in terms of winning a lot of games, we won't be bowled over." Despite their pride in how far they have come, none of the 'Cows are blind to the attraction of going deep into the tournament. "Just to be one of the country's top 16 teams is something," Grubb said, "but to be in the top eight, or four, or two..."
The date of the tournament has kept the 'Cows practicing long after all other varsity and club sports have ceased serious workouts-even into finals week. Money has also been an issue for the team with a few members opting to drive out to Boulder to cut their costs. "The lack of support from the college has been a real let down. Two years ago, the president's office was wonderful and totally accommodating. I guess this year there is simply less money around to support a club team's success," Daloz said. Despite all the hassles over continued from pg 36us have had in the back of our minds and have been working for since August," said sophomore Adam Zucker.
This year's tournament will be the last hurrah for several team members. Grubb's athleticism was tapered by shoulder injuries but he managed to greatly impact almost any game he set foot in. Likewise co-captain John Fedota used his height and long legs to reel in pass after pass over the heads of defenders. Sandy Bilus and Scott Houghtaling anchored the handlers (passers) for the season, setting up many a score. Feldman's speed made many on the track team wish he'd never discovered Ultimate while 'fifth year' Jim Woodroffe successfully argued the players' association for another year of eligibility due to injury and added his vast experience to the mix.
The team won't be stripped bare by this crew's graduation however. A strong current sophomore class, augmented by a bumper crop of first years, will be led by Daloz and current sophomore Jamie Merchant.
For now however, the focus is on this weekend. Regardless of whether the team defies odds wins, "I'm confident that we'll turn some heads," Feldman said.
Go 'Cows: The men's Ultimate Frisbee team works out on North Fields. (photo by Pauline Shapiro)
Toss up: A horsecow prepares to take a toss. (file photo)
Copyright © 1999, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 127, Number 25, May 28, 1999
Contact us with your comments and suggestions.