10 Years of Ultimate

The day after regionals... always a day for reflection.  Games won, games lost, fun had, opportunities seized or missed.  In my ultimate career I've had my season end at this tournament 8 times.  My emotions upon the end of that last game have ranged from happiness to relief to indifference to tears caused by the rush of too many feelings to the surface at once.  After a day of settling though, I find myself thinking the same thing I think after any tournament- "that was fun".

Pictured: Fun.  Photo credit Stephen So.

Last month marked the 10 year anniversary of the day I first showed up to Dartmouth Ultimate practice and picked up a disc.  That was honestly one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.  I couldn't imagine my life without the experiences, travel, and friendships that ultimate has given me.  Because I'm huge nerd, I've actually kept track of all the tournaments and teams I've played for over the years.

In 10 years, I have attended 117 tournaments.  I've played in 106 of them, the others I was spectating or coaching.  The most tournaments I've attended in one year was 20, in 2008.  I have won a tournament 10 times.  I've lost in the finals another 9 times.  Those tournaments add up to 617 games with a wining percentage of 0.56.

I attended 26 of the tournaments with the Dartmouth Pain Train, 13 with the Pimpdags, 9 (and counting) with ASU B Pleasure Ultimate, and 8 (and counting) with Rubix.  I have played a tournament in 35 different states.  Counting tournaments, pick-up, spectating, and driving through in transit to a tournament, ultimate has taken me to 43 of the 50 states.

Putting all this on a map looks something like this: