This article is 6 years old

Excitement Surrounds New Women’s Ultimate Team

Sports

Photograph by Samuel Heller

For the first time at Berkeley High School (BHS), the Ultimate Frisbee Club has created a women’s division named Hysteria. Many members of Hysteria were also on the mixed division team, Uproar, which won the state title last winter.

Hysteria is blessed to have the experienced Meeri Chang as one of their coaches. Chang currently plays for Fury, an elite women’s team in the Bay Area that has won ten national championships.

In reference to the upcoming season, Chang said, “All of the coaches feel very grateful to get to coach a team of ambitious, committed, athletic, and caring women. We have strong leadership, experience with our more senior players, and great energy and potential from our new players.” Hysteria’s goal this upcoming season is to win the state championship in April while maintaining their values of depth, spirit, support, and fearlessness, Change said.

Hysteria co-coach and former Team USA U23 player Sharon Lin is already enjoying her role on the team. “Our player leaders  inspire commitment from their teammates, so we’re very grateful for that,” she said. “It makes our job pretty easy and fun.”

One challenge Hysteria currently faces is balancing the needs of experienced players, some of whom had recently tried out for the U20 Worlds team, and brand new players who are athletic, but new to the sport.

Lin said, “As coaches, our challenge will be keeping both types of players, and everyone in between, engaged and excited to get better. A team challenge will be how to grow our team in the right way.”

All three coaches are expecting significant growth of the women’s ultimate division at BHS, but they need to make sure that all those participating are supported.  Hysteria coaches have to acquire enough field space, and make sure every player gets individual feedback, and feels supported.

Looking forward, Chang hopes to see more women of color and women from underprivileged backgrounds playing ultimate at BHS.

“I want our ultimate program to reflect the diversity of not only the school, but the nation,” Chang said. “I think the BHS program is on a good trajectory toward addressing this issue, but it’s only a start.”

Hysteria is scheduled to play in the King of Bongo, a youth beach tournament that will take place on March 3 in San Francisco, along with competing in the state championships on April 15. Overall, the coaching and dedication of Hystaria is good reason to have optimism about the future of BHS’ newest club.

“Hysteria is an incredible group of women, and ultimate is an athletic game, so if we can successfully recruit players, they’ll want to stick around,” Chang said.