Frisbee Teams Compete in First Home Competition

SPORTS

September 30, 2022 Established 1874 Volume 152, Number 4

Frisbee Teams Compete in First Home Competition

Preying Manti members face Miami University’s defense. Photo by Sumner Wallace

Chris Stoneman Senior Staff Writer

Last weekend, Oberlin College hosted its 22nd annual Force Freedom Ultimate Frisbee tournament. Both of Oberlin’s teams, the women’s and trans Preying Manti and the Flying Horsecows, participated in the action.

To begin the day, the Flying Horsecows were divided randomly into two smaller teams, X and Y, for the tournament. Team X chose the name Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG while Team Y chose to call themselves the Battle of the Sandwich. Both teams faced the same opponents, though in a different order.

The Horsecows and the Manti lost 11 seniors last year, leaving many holes for first-years and new players to fill. The teams recruited heavily during orientation, but the question remained as to whether their efforts would suffice. Both MBU and BOS started on a down note, each losing closely to Kenyon’s X team. MBU lost 13–5 in their first match against the Serfs while BOS fell short 13–11. However, MBU was able to redeem the losses in a second match to Kenyon’s Y team, in which they won a close 13–12.

To end the day, both teams competed against The College of Wooster. Each of these matches were blowouts in favor of the Horsecows, with MBU stomping the Ramjam 13–1 and BOS winning in equal measure with a score of 13–3.

Fourth-year Captain Jack Povilaitis was extremely satisfied with the Horsecows’ performance. He believes the Horsecows and their young group have a bright future ahead of them.

“The team blew my mind,” he remarked. “A huge part of this fall semester has been recruiting and getting [new players] up to snuff to fill gaps. So many people … showed the captains that they can step up when we ask them to.”

The Manti started out hot, securing a 8–6 victory against the University of Dayton at the beginning of the day. Though there were many turnovers throughout the game, the Manti were able to weather the storm and emerge victorious. Unfortunately, a winning streak was not in the cards. The team lost their next game 11–1 to a stacked Case Western Reserve University.

“[Despite being] super intense, the game wound up being a really good learning experience,” third-year cutter Claire Rothstein said when asked about the loss.

Going into the latter half of the day, the Manti persevered and put up an impressive fight against two very strong opponents. Playing the University of Pittsburgh proved to be a tough challenge but again served as a valuable teaching moment for the developing team, who lost 13–2.

“It was so cool being able to see such a talented group show off such amazing skill,” Rothstein said.

The Manti rounded off the day with a match against Miami University. In an intense defensive battle with multiple turnovers and a plethora of long points, the Manti saw themselves barely edged out in a close 9–4 loss.

The Manti were proud of their performance, especially with so many new players.

“The team definitely exceeded expectations in a lot of ways and had so much fun,” Rothstein said.

Rothstein and Povilaitis also took time during their interviews to invite any and all students on campus to join the ranks of the Manti and Horsecows. Both spoke to the amount of love and support they felt from the teams and the joy they feel playing the sport.

“The Manti [and Horsecows] are the most loving and friendly teams,” Rothstein said. “We’re always looking to recruit more people, and it’s been so exciting to see such a large group of individuals be so passionate about improving their abilities.”

Povilaitis agreed with Rothstein and added that the Frisbee community is like a family rather than a team.

“You can’t imagine how big of a role this team can play in your life,” Povilaitis added. “If you let us, we will become your family. Everyone deep down is a Horsecow [or Mantis]; you’ve just gotta let it out and fly!”

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal Model Healthy Rivalry, Friendship

James Foster

Just three weeks after Serena Williams, tennis’s greatest female athlete, retired, a fellow tennis legend followed suit. On Sept. 23, Roger Federer, the Swiss maestro who has captivated audiences for decades, played his final match at the Laver Cup in doubles alongside one of his most formidable rivals, Rafael Nadal. It seemed fitting for Federer and Nadal to share the court to close Federer’s career considering their storied rivalry. Over the course of 18 years, they played 40 matches against each other including 24 finals — nine of which took place at one of the four major Grand Slam tournaments.

Along with Novak Djokovic, Federer and Nadal have dominated tennis since the early 2000s and are seen as some of the greatest tennis players of all time. The two have always had immense respect for each other, and neither have been shy to admit it. Before the 2010 Nitto ATP Finals, Nadal provided insight into his and Federer’s friendship.

“We have a great relationship all the time,” Nadal said. “Our relationship didn’t change a lot since the beginning because it was always very respectful. The only way the relationship has improved is getting closer. We spend more time together, always being in the [ATP Player] Council, being on court, playing exhibitions together. I don’t think it’s a rivalry. All these important moments in tennis make you appreciate it more.”

Federer has been equally vocal about his respect and support of Nadal.

“I’m his number one fan, I think his game is simply tremendous,” Federer said before playing against Nadal in the 2017 Australian Open final. “He’s an incredible competitor and I’m happy we’ve had some epic battles in the past.”

Both Federer and Nadal have erased each other’s name from the winning side of history on numerous occasions. However, healthy competition and respect is what stands out in their rivalry. They have always held themselves with grace and humility and are shining examples of sportsmanship at the highest level.

See Federer, page 14