Ahhh, the beginning of the season. Sectionals (or is this the post-season? or nationals the post season and all summer tourneys the preseason?). Anyway, this is huge. I say that b/c, well, we have not won sectionals since 02. Madison has won the last two years. In 03, both of us went to natties and in 04 only we did (we beat them in a rematch in the game to go and we had split at sectionals).
This year *should* be a little different. We stole a couple of their better guys. Some of the vets (aka hodag alums) are not playing with them, so it appears they will just be a Madison college team. Although it would not suprise me to find Paradise on the opposite line. With that said, we still have to beat them late on Sunday. I did not hear anything about them at tune-ups besides they went 0-3 in their first pool.
For us, this will probably mean the 2 seed at regionals if we win. Although we have finished higher then Truck at both tourneys we have seen them at (we won Motown, including 1-1 against truck and won Chicago, but lost to Truck). Plus, Truck is the 2-time defending Central Region champion, an honor all teams wished they had. Incidentally, I am betting that whoever wins the central region will be the lowest #1 regional team at nationals. Not that is an out on a limb prediction
Chicago (I do not think) will not have a beef to get the 2 seed. They did beat us in Chicago, but we beat them in Colorado and finished higher then them in both tourneys. Plus, we had a higher regional/national finish last year.
BUT if we lose at sectionals, I am not sure where our seed falls. Madison probably 3. But maybe not as KC + Jawbone have had some success against Madison. Ugh, I keep telling myself this year will be different.
Sectionals is becoming a little more interesting b/c of the colleges getting better. I wish Zero could take more credit, but really it is the high school league + growth in college. Not only does Zero have Hodags + alums. We have St. Olaf, St. Clouders, Winona, u of m, and of course Carleton guys. It is great to have so many small school that are not huge programs nationally, but still good enough to produce a couple of key guys. There are a couple of "2nd tier" teams that have shown some success so far Dingwop, mainly from Duluth, but some other guys, and Liquid Assets, a team of recent college grads/current collegians. Very good for Twin Cities ultimate and I hope it keeps the growth of quality ultimate in the cities. Hopefully, we will get close to 00 where there was 2 regionally competitive twin city teams.
Plus, there is a u of m type team, CUT, Winnipeg will be back, and Surly, the Masters team.
The cupboard seemed bare after the mass exodus of 02. But actually, it was just being restocked. Tryouts have been more competitive and it great to see more good ultimate. Hopefully, not too good, so we can still be champions.
workouts: Wed - 3/4 mile up + down. 2 x 1 mile, start at 3:20 800 then 2:45 800 (tried to hit 2:40 tougher then I thought). Thu - stairs, 2 sets + some tune up talk with RG, good time. Today - probably 20/25 minute run home after work. Keep the legs loose for the big weekend.
Good luck at your sectionals
This year *should* be a little different. We stole a couple of their better guys. Some of the vets (aka hodag alums) are not playing with them, so it appears they will just be a Madison college team. Although it would not suprise me to find Paradise on the opposite line. With that said, we still have to beat them late on Sunday. I did not hear anything about them at tune-ups besides they went 0-3 in their first pool.
For us, this will probably mean the 2 seed at regionals if we win. Although we have finished higher then Truck at both tourneys we have seen them at (we won Motown, including 1-1 against truck and won Chicago, but lost to Truck). Plus, Truck is the 2-time defending Central Region champion, an honor all teams wished they had. Incidentally, I am betting that whoever wins the central region will be the lowest #1 regional team at nationals. Not that is an out on a limb prediction
Chicago (I do not think) will not have a beef to get the 2 seed. They did beat us in Chicago, but we beat them in Colorado and finished higher then them in both tourneys. Plus, we had a higher regional/national finish last year.
BUT if we lose at sectionals, I am not sure where our seed falls. Madison probably 3. But maybe not as KC + Jawbone have had some success against Madison. Ugh, I keep telling myself this year will be different.
Sectionals is becoming a little more interesting b/c of the colleges getting better. I wish Zero could take more credit, but really it is the high school league + growth in college. Not only does Zero have Hodags + alums. We have St. Olaf, St. Clouders, Winona, u of m, and of course Carleton guys. It is great to have so many small school that are not huge programs nationally, but still good enough to produce a couple of key guys. There are a couple of "2nd tier" teams that have shown some success so far Dingwop, mainly from Duluth, but some other guys, and Liquid Assets, a team of recent college grads/current collegians. Very good for Twin Cities ultimate and I hope it keeps the growth of quality ultimate in the cities. Hopefully, we will get close to 00 where there was 2 regionally competitive twin city teams.
Plus, there is a u of m type team, CUT, Winnipeg will be back, and Surly, the Masters team.
The cupboard seemed bare after the mass exodus of 02. But actually, it was just being restocked. Tryouts have been more competitive and it great to see more good ultimate. Hopefully, not too good, so we can still be champions.
workouts: Wed - 3/4 mile up + down. 2 x 1 mile, start at 3:20 800 then 2:45 800 (tried to hit 2:40 tougher then I thought). Thu - stairs, 2 sets + some tune up talk with RG, good time. Today - probably 20/25 minute run home after work. Keep the legs loose for the big weekend.
Good luck at your sectionals
posted by sometallskinnykid at 5:27 PM
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