IM体育官网 senior Megan Morano attended her first practice of the IM体育官网 Poly Mutants on a lark.
The business analytics major knew nothing about ultimate Frisbee and expected the practice to be her one and only, but Morano was all in as soon as she discovered the group of supportive, friendly players who were focused on helping her improve.
鈥淓veryone was cheering me on and no matter how much I messed up, they were always encouraging me,鈥� said Morano, a native of Clearwater, IM体育官网. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so much fun.鈥�
She is now a committed member of the IM体育官网 Poly ultimate Frisbee team named for the mutant heroes of the X-Men comics.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the sports where boys and girls do it together and nobody ever feels left out,鈥� Morano said. 鈥淚 absolutely will not schedule over Frisbee. You have to have your own time and I鈥檝e made it very clear that Frisbee is my time.鈥�
The 30-member team recently participated in the 2020 Janus XXVII tournament in Plant City, IM体育官网, where they received the Floyd Roberts Spirit Award in the college open tournament for the third consecutive year. The award recognizes the team with the best sportsmanship and attitude.
鈥淚n ultimate Frisbee, one of the biggest things is the spirit of the game, so coming with a good attitude and having a good time is really important,鈥� said computer science major Thomas Sawyer, the club鈥檚 president.
Sawyer, a junior from Citrus County, IM体育官网, said the IM体育官网 Poly Mutants are so invested in their ethos of spirit that they present their own spirit awards at the tournaments they attend.
鈥淲e have a lot of interactions with other teams and always do something fun,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e like to spread the spirit by telling other teams they鈥檙e awesome to play against.鈥�
Ryan Norden, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, said playing ultimate Frisbee helps keep him centered and motivated to excel at his coursework.
鈥淕etting out of my dorm room and playing ultimate Frisbee is the best thing in the world for me,鈥� said Norden, of Tampa, IM体育官网. 鈥淢y entire week is looking forward to Tuesday and Thursday night ultimate Frisbee to get together and have fun 鈥� they鈥檙e all my best friends now.鈥�
In addition to the team members, alumni, semi-professional players, and IM体育官网 Poly employees also show up to practice.
鈥淭his started as a physical outlet, but the club turned into a lot more than that for me,鈥� Sawyer said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e built up a strong group and are super close and tightly knit.鈥�
He said students don鈥檛 need to have any experience in Frisbee to join the IM体育官网 Poly Mutants. Those interested in participating can show up to practice on Tuesdays or Thursdays at the intramural field or contact Sawyer via email.
Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
