Throwing a net around town...

The hockey fields at Allentown High School were alive with ultimate Frisbee today after school, as the athletic department held a tournament to raise money for new Phys Ed equipment. Twelve teams of faculty and students went toe to toe enjoying this warm November afternoon. With the entire Physical Education department on hand to make sure each match ran smoothly, teams of six players and subs took to the fields in different colored shirts to determine ultimate Frisbee superiority. Each player pledged $10 to participate in the tourney which bought them a T shirt and a place on a team with the remaining money going to the Phys Ed fund, explained Brian Nice, PE teacher and coach of the varsity baseball team. In total, 98 players signed up and showed up for this, the second fundraiser of its kind at AHS. “The first time we tried it was in June and it did very well,” said Nice. “We’ll probably do it again later in the year with basketball or flag football.”

Chris Brenner, who teaches PE at the school as well as coaching the JV softball team, said, of ultimate Frisbee, “it’s a good cooperative learning sport that gets the kids out and moving. Look around, there are band kids, athletes, robotics kids, a social studies team, an all girl team, teachers and administration, all out there together having fun.”
As the event began, MaryEllen McCarthy, department head and varsity field hockey coach, called for a megaphone, to be heard above the crowd. There was a finely organized game schedule and the matches proceeded as planned.
I asked senior student Maria Serrano, a member of the all girl team, why this kind of fundraiser was more appealing than selling items in a traditional brochure fundraiser. “Kids actually get to participate. It’s a competition and it’s FUN!” she replied. She added that she had not participated in the competition this past June but “wanted to.” She said that if the athletic department decides to hold a flag football fundraiser she would like to participate in that also.
At the end of the tournament, two teams remained undefeated, the black team and the lime green team, so it went to a play off for first place. The first touchdown was scored by lime green but black came back to tie. In the end, the black team went on to Ultimate Frisbee Victory and scored the orange Tshirt of Champions.
Junior Ashley Alvarado, who recruited many players for the sapphire blue team, said her main reason for playing was “to have a good time” but she was also interested in raising money for a volley ball team which she would like to join.
Justin Crujeiras, a sophomore recruited by Ashley, was also eager to help raise money for the sports programs. His favorite activities in PE class are ultimate Frisbee and riding mountain bikes.