Royal Purple

Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Alison Wisneski Sixteen of the 25 members of the ultimate frisbee team stop for a quick picture before returning to train for the upcoming Division III national tournament. Back row (left to right): Jeff Carron,?Stephen?Darrow, Chris Konkol, Keith Garner, Nate Svaglic, Rick Witte, Zach Knobloch,?Miles Van Dusen and Ryan Strohm. Front Row (left to right): Brian Niver, Jon Fok, Jamie Bauer, Ari Davidson, David Schleicher, Phil Schulz and Kurt Egan. Below:?Davidson

After winning the Division III title last spring, the Ultimate Frisbee team seeks to win another title following a successful fall season.

During the fall season, the reigning champs defended their Hucktoberfest tournament title in Whitewater on Sept. 29-30, winning the event for the third straight season.

The club also made the trip to Jefferson City, Mo., to compete in the Missouri Loves Company tournament on the weekend of Nov. 10-11, and captured fifth place after losing to the Carleton College Knights in the quarterfinals.

But the biggest tournament of the fall season was the Classic City Classic on Dec. 1-2 in Chattanooga, Tenn. UW-Whitewater pulled a couple of upset victories over the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, 13-10, and the runner up from last year's championship game, the University of Colorado Buffalos, 15-14. However, the Warhawks fell short to the University of Georgia Bulldogs, 15-12, in the tournament semifinals.

Despite losing several key players, 'Hawks senior cutter and handler Ryan Strohm said this year's team is eager to win another title.

"We lost two starters [from] last year, which did hurt," Strohm said. "Former captain Jake 'The Snake' Knobloch's leadership on the offensive side as a handler helped tremendously. The other was defender Zach Shackner, who came back for his last year after a year abroad. We got them the title they deserved in Division III , but we are hungry for more."

The Warhawks hope to earn a spot at nationals this spring in order to try and retain its Division III championship. Junior cutter James Bauer does not believe the team is unable to win back-to-back titles.

"I don't feel we are under any more pressure this year," Bauer said. "It's been easy to feel confident in any game we go into with the great athletes we have and the veteran leadership to go along with it."

Senior co-captain cutter and handler David Schleicher said the Warhawks are devoted to win another title.

"I think our experience, determination and work ethic will put our team in the running to win the championship this year," Schleicher said. "We plan on going to several elite spring tournaments to gain experience and prepare ourselves for this college season's sectionals, regionals and nationals."

UW-Whitewater is currently ranked 12th in the country. The team's schedule for the spring season is currently unavailable.

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