Eden Prairie takes flight in Ultimate

The Eden Prairie Ultimate team participated in the “Hopkins Hustle” tournament in Blaine on May 11-12. The team showcased its skills in two games, sporting white jerseys in the first game and dark jerseys in the second.

Eden Prairie Ultimate is an independent provider group based at Eden Prairie High School. Run by coaches and parent volunteers, the team is dedicated to advancing the sport of ultimate within the school and the greater Eden Prairie community. The team is co-recreational, with both boys and girls competing in the open division.

League games are played on Thursdays at 6 p.m., with the next game at Bloomington Jefferson on May 23. The state tournament is June 1-2 in Blaine. The team competes in the Minnesota Ultimate High School League.

Ultimate, originally known as Ultimate Frisbee (Frisbee was dropped because of a Wham-O Toy Co. registered trademark), is a non-contact team sport played with a flying disc. It combines the non-stop movement and endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football. The game is played by two teams of seven on a field with end zones, aiming to score by catching a pass in the opponent’s end zone. It is a non-contact sport governed by the “Spirit of the Game,” emphasizing sportsmanship and self-officiating.

Brittany Boyd, a coach for the co-ed team, emphasized that this season is focused on rebuilding and growing after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve had a learning season with lots of growth,” Boyd said. “We always strive to spark new ultimate careers and encourage players to continue playing at the community, collegiate, and club levels.”

As the team prepares for next season, Boyd noted the need for new recruits. Eight seniors are on this year’s 15-person roster. Interested students are encouraged to visit the Eden Prairie Ultimate website for more information.