KUA hosted an Ultimate Frisbee tournament Sunday afternoon, and I sponsored a team. This was the first time that the Screaming Hippies had played for real. In fact, it was the first time we learned how to play the game correctly. But we played it well, and defeated our hosts 4-3 in sudden death overtime in the first contest. Major handler Alex "Feltron" was immense:

We had had little preparation, and learned much in a hurry. Heroes were many, and players with little experience contributed mightily to our wins, including Sam Sloane (who gets my vote for MIP), Saka Croteau, Irene Hussey, Kat Heyl, Drew Graham, and Jake Mazonson, who assumed coaching responsibilities after throwing out his shoulder in the first game. Other players' names are cited elsewhere.

Our second game was against a team from Woodstock-Union (VT) High School that was so enchanted by the social chemistry of the green squad that they wanted to come home with us. When John Pellett led our team in a squatted group meditative chant after a touchdown, Woodstock sat and joined in from their end of the field. Their coach told us to wait until they waved--indicating readiness to receive after we scored--so we did a lot of waving back and forth.

After falling behind a very experienced Hanover H.S. team (with cleats, team shirts, an understanding of the rules and--get this--real plays) by 5 touchdowns, we came back with four straight TDs, traded a couple, and ended up losing 8-5, and feeling great. The ride back was sweetened with cookies, fruit and memories of a Sunday adventure.