The Ohio Wesleyan Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team took second place in a frisbee tournament over spring break.
The Firedogs were invited to the Hightide Frisbee Tournament, which went on from March 13 to March 16.
They competed with 36 teams from across the country.
The tournament took place in St. Simons, Ga. The team made it to the finals and then lost to Dickinson College, 9-8.
Junior Todd Hershberger, captain of the firedogs, said he was very pleased with how the team played at the tournament.
“(It) being our first trip to Hightide, nobody knew what to expect, but we all came ready to play,” Hershberger said. “Everybody had the mindset that we could beat any team that we got to play. It was great to see that kind of confidence.”
Sophomore Ryan Klein said he was surprised that the Firedogs did so well. Also, because it was the first time they were invited to play at Hightide.
“Everyone played well and with confidence,” Klein said. “We were surprisingly not nervous since it was the first time at Hightide.
“Everyone knew their role and we worked together very well. Nobody was trying to be a hero down there.”
The tournament lasted three days, and 18 men on the Firedogs played three games a day.
On the final day, they played everything up from the quarterfinals to the championship game.
Junior Wesley Barnes said he could feel the pressure in the final round of the tournament.
The pressure “was on from the get-go,” Barnes said. “We knew what we had to do, and we did that well,” Barnes said. “We all were somewhat eager and maybe even a little nervous about playing, but I think that those emotions were the reason why we played so well.”
The Firedogs will be heading to sectionals in mid-April according to Hershberger.
“This tournament was a great growing experience that will help us prepare for sectionals in April,” Hershberger said.
“Going 8-1 and finishing second overall was a great way to cap off a fun spring break with (the) Firedogs.”