Praying Manti bring it on home

As the Praying Manti watched discs fly into the setting sun at practice last Friday evening, they knew they were in for yet another terrific weekend tournament.

The Oberlin College's Women's Ultimate Frisbee Team hosted a two-day tournament on North Fields this past weekend, Nov. 6 and 7. Including the Manti, eight teams came out to play. A total of eight games were played on Saturday and three games on Sunday. The Manti played in four games on Saturday against Indiana University, Northwestern, Notre Dame, and Clevedge, a club team from Cleveland, and on Sunday the Manti played against University of Michigan.

The Manti's first game on Saturday morning began around 9:30 against Calamity Jane, a team from Indiana University. Senior Rebecca Lincoln deviated from her usual position to play mid, where she ruled the field with her hot one-hand catches and her sweet sky fakes and killer throws. The subs on the sideline rang out in a hearty chorus of the Boogaloo as the OC Women left Indiana in the dust with a final score of 13-6.

In the second game the Manti played against Ugly, a team from Northwestern, "Penney," junior Felicia Kazer scored a killer point by laying out for the Frisbee into the endzone. Throughout the game "Mcky," junior Sarah McKeever, between her fly defensive blocks, never failed to be right behind Penney to catch the second should the disc be overthrown. They ran hard and fast and gave Northwestern a run for their money, but despite their efforts the final score was 6-11 with Northwestern in the lead.

Notre Dame was Oberlin's third challenge of the day. In this high-speed game, Notre Dame unfortunately took an early lead. Near the half point of the game, "AliKat," junior Allison Duwe, joined the Manti on the field. After the short break for the half, the team was rejuvenated and ready to put their best side forward again. Junior Shawn Margles showed off her skill with several sweet lay-outs that aided the Manti in scoring a number of successive points. The points were long and grueling and the Manti did a remarkable job at keeping up their energy and speed. After a little over an hour straight of playing on the field, a time cap was called. Notre Dame scored two points for a final score of 7-11, winning the game.

After a mere five minute break, the Manti ripped into their last game of the day against Clevedge, a club team from Cleveland. Throughout the game, the score was close. "Muffin," senior Abby Sullivan, came through for the team time and time again with her hot throws. The Manti were on fire, throwing, catching, D-ing, laying and running Clevedge all over the field. Shortly after the disc was securely caught by Manti hands in the endzone, the OC Women cheered for Clevedge and walked off the field, exhausted, but victorious having won their last game of the day 12-8.

At 9:30 Sunday morning, the Manti were up and ready run once again. After the Psyche Cheer, they hit the field to play against FlyWheel, the University of Michigan team. Once again Muffin's killer throws kept the team scoring. It was clear that sophomore Josephine "the Machine" Ferrel was taking the competition by storm when their captain called out, "Whoever's on Josie, stay close on D (defense)! You KNOW what you're in for!!!" The Manti played hard and definitely provided a huge challenge, but the final score was 8-ll in favor of U. Michigan.

The highlight of the weekend for the Manti was the cheer that the OC Men's Ultimate Frisbee Team, the Flying Horsecows, arrived to present half way through the day on Saturday. They thrilled the Praying Manti, as well as everyone else close enough to hear or see them, with a thrilling alternative version of a Britney Spears song which they had entitled "Oh Manti, Manti," while performing a dance they had prepared to accompany it.

Oberlin's Home tournament was open to any women's team. In the Cleveland area, as well as throughout the nation, Women's Ultimate Frisbee is making it's mark. More and more women are becoming involved in this terrific sport.

The home tournament was held for the purpose of promoting Women's Ultimate and encouraging teams to come together and play.

The Preying Manti participated in a number of fall tournaments. Both the Manti and the Horsecows brought home the championships in the Halloween tournament held two weekends ago at Ohio University. With the current teams, the Manti and the Cows appear to have the potential to show Oberlin College the best Ultimate Frisbee Season it's ever seen.

Becky Hempel is a member of the Praying Manti.

Lay Out Sucka! The women's ultimate team, The Praying Manti, played host to an eight-team tournament on North Fields this weekend, including five of their own games. (Staff Photo)