Johnnies play in Halloween-themed tournament

Promoting physical, mental and social fitness, along with building leadership, initiative and teamwork are a few of the SJU ultimate frisbee team’s goals.

With practices every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-10 p.m., tournaments on the weekends and games starting in the spring, more Johnnies are taking an interest in the sport. The team has doubled in size since last season. First-year Graham Imholte joined because of the comradery and the tight-knit team atmosphere.

“It’s like being on a team with your best buddies,” Imholte said.

Imholte’s favorite moment from the season was when the team stayed at one of their teammate’s houses for a tournament.

“We all bonded together as a team, and it was the first moment we were all able to really connect as a group,” Imholte said.

Even though Imholte has played since eighth grade, he encourages anyone to join.

“I have met so many of my best friends through frisbee, even my girlfriend,” Imholte said.

Many of the other team members share the team’s bond.

“[The team] welcomes anyone and everyone. When I joined the team, I knew I would enjoy this experience because the team atmosphere was very supportive and fun,” senior Christian Garcia said.

Garcia believes people should join because of the team’s incredible environment and as a way to meet new people.

SJU senior Sam Kelly agreed that the team comradery is unique and integral to the ultimate frisbee experience at St. John’s. Other aspects Kelly enjoys are the nicknames the team comes up with for one another and the spring break trips they take with the Bennie ultimate frisbee team. During Kelly’s first year, the team traveled to compete at Louisiana State University against DI ultimate frisbee teams. After the tournament, they spent a week on Florida beaches. Kelly’s favorite moment from the current season was meeting all the first-years at the first practice.

“It has been fun to see just how fast our sport is growing, not only on this campus but in schools all over the country,” Kelly said.

Kelly joined the team after being recruited by some alumni, and he loved it. Since then, he hasn’t missed a single practice.

“It’s a low-stress environment where competitive spirit lives strong. No experience is necessary to join,” Kelly said.

He also said ultimate frisbee uses many of the same fundamentals as football, soccer and basketball. Therefore, many of the athletes with no experience often fall in love with frisbee. SJU first-year Carter Versaevel is an example of one of these athletes. After his roommate convinced him, Versaevel joined the team without having any previous experience.

“I ended up really liking it, so I decided to give it a real shot,” Versaevel said.

Versaevel’s favorite moment from the season was the night after their first day of games when the team was hanging out at one of their teammate’s houses. This time spent together helped create a bond between the members that added to the supportive, welcoming and fun environment. Versaevel said more Johnnies should join ultimate frisbee because it’s a fantastic way to stay active. The team goes on a lot of trips, and he said the community is incredible to be around.

With games not starting until the spring, the team has been staying busy with tournaments about every month so far this school year. Last month the team traveled to St. Olaf for a tournament where they finished 3-2. A few weeks ago, the team attended Hallowinona, a Halloween-themed ultimate frisbee tournament in Rochester put on by Winona State. The team dressed up as monks in honor of their team’s mascot and made their debut at the tournament with a 4-2 record.

“It was a fantastic time. People would walk up to us and tell us that we looked scary or were intimidating,” Imholte said.

SJU Ultimate Frisbee will continue competing in tournaments and begin their actual season with games in the spring.