Annen

By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – Organizers are developing a new High School Ultimate Frisbee team in the greater Marshfield area. Students from Marshfield, Columbus, Stratford, Spencer, Auburndale, and any surrounding schools are invited to participate, regardless of experience or gender.

“The program is open to anyone that is in high school,” said coordinator, Ryan Natzke. “This is the first year of the program and we have four people with playing and coaching experience heading the team.”

The team will have several coaches, including Tom Annen, a professional Ultimate player on the Madison Radicals team. The Radicals won the AUDL Championship in 2018. Annen was one of their first players and captains when they started in 2013; he remains a member of the team. Annen is a physical therapist at Marshfield Medical Center.

Organizers say that the sport is a combination of soccer and football, played on a similar field. The program is guided by the “Spirit of the Game” (SOTG), which allows for players to call their own fouls. They are resolved through a process of “calling fouls and contesting fouls,” with no referees involved.

“USA Ultimate (USAU) is the governing body of the state tournament that happens every Memorial Day weekend in Madison,” Natzke explained.

“There are no costs or requirements to come out to a practice or to join the team. As we get closer to the tournament there will be a cost for those that want to go to state when we get jerseys and to register for the tournament. Otherwise there is no cost. We will also help facilitate funding for anyone that has sees funding as a barrier.”

The first practice will be held Sept. 12 at the UWSP at Marshfield Fields at the end of West Eighth Street in Marshfield.

“Ultimate is a great sport that is a lot of fun and provides an opportunity for kids to play a competitive but spirited sport,” Natzke added. “Anyone can play. But it’s also a great way for athletes to stay in shape when they aren’t in season for other sports they may play. And the camaraderie that builds within Ultimate is different than any other sport.

“It’s also exciting as the first team in Marshfield to have the chance to create a new team name, meet new people and make new friends, create social media accounts to interact with other teams across the state and nation.

“Plus the opportunity to learn to play a sport you can find pickup games anywhere across the nation. You can play the game for a long time, as pickup, summer league, club or even at the professional level now. And we have a professional player as one of our coaches, so you can learn from the best.”

For more information, contact Ryan at 608-513-4204 or visit the Ultimate Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/Marshfield-Area-High-School-Ultimate-Frisbee-Club-101555224559656/