Free State Classic 2011:

After driving through some snowstorms, IHUC arrived in Kansas City, checked in to some ridiculously nice hotel rooms at the Hyatt (yet no indoor pool), and headed to bed early, eager to finally begin playing outdoors. To the casual observer this may have appeared to be the start of Iowa's season, but those close to the team know that the program has been training and practicing for months, and had been waiting a long time to finally get out and play in an official USAU tournament.

However after a 5:30 AM wakeup call, and arriving at the turf fields, still in darkness, to see them covered in a couple inches of snow, IHUC perhaps spent a second wondering whether they should have sprung for plane tickets to travel to someplace warmer in February. That doubt quickly passed; Iowa Ultimate had played in far worse conditions, and despite the cold and the drizzle throughout the day (yet no wind), the team kept focus and played strong on the turf beneath the ice. The only other factor holding the group back was the fact that two players and Coach Ryan Nation were unable to make the trip, and several others were injured off and on at the tourney, giving the team lower numbers than expected, especially in the handler position.

First game was against Nebraska-Omaha; despite a few moments of early morning sluggishness and some rusty offense, IHUC won solidly13-2. Next up was Missouri. That game would start slow and both teams would trade early, until Iowa brought the intensity back up and cruised to a 13-5 win. Third game against Missouri S and T was a similar story- IHUC was trying to balance going inside the complex to warm up and then coming out into the freezing conditions every round and it played havoc with the team's muscles. This game would be close again, IHUC  having trouble locking down some of their handlers, and making far too many mistakes on offense. Iowa would take half 7-6, on serve. The Captains really emphasized Nation's mantra €œWork Harder to Win€, and that the group needed to come out with renewed focus and intensity after stoppages of play. Iowa showed great poise at what was probably the most critical point of the day, got amped up and rolled the next six points to win 13-6.

Fourth game was a quick 13-2 win against a savage Tulsa team where Trout earned himself a new greatest IHUC moment. And finally the 5^th game of the day was set up against A2 seeded Arkansas. This team had some powerful handlers that could send some bombs deep and they were ready to make the athletic plays and to convert on Iowa's mistakes. Still, both lines were playing hard, integrating well, and the team was able to win solidly 13-8.

Saturday night saw a team wide dinner at the delicious Gates BBQ. Sergei's random flirting tactics would pay off for once, as he turned the puppy eyes on for Kelsey, the hotel desk clerk, who slid a few IHUC players free one day passes to a local 24/7 gym. Hot tub, steam room, sauna, and waterfall pool ensued.  Clutch. Worn out and full, most of the team headed to bed early.

Sunday morning was much later of a start due to a blessed bye round; temps were slightly warmer and the snow was mostly cleared off, although it was quite foggy all day and the breezes were a bit higher in speed. First matchup was against UNO again as they beat out Colorado State to advance to quarterfinals. Great game for the team; IHUC played relaxed and confident, winning 15-2.

Semi-Finals against Illinois. Biggest game of the day. The Illini had lost to Kansas 11-13 in their own pool on Saturday, and then Kansas went on to lose to Arkansas in the quarterfinals on Sunday, thus leaving Illinois the only other team from nationals last year left in the bracket. 

Waffle calls and wins the flip for the Iowa squad, and the Captains elect to pull. Game starts off with intensity, Iowa putting a lot of pressure on and playing tight man defense. IHUC scores two breaks in quick succession, but then allows Illinois to score. 2-1. O-Line comes out and looks solid, making the score 3-1. D-Line comes out intense again; after a longer, multiple-turn point, IHUC is up 4-1. Illinois called a timeout around here and regained their focus, while Iowa let up the intensity, and that would almost prove to be their undoing. Illinois went on a big run; their poachy defense was frustrating many of the play calls, and it was making it difficult for the O-line to get open easily underneath. In response, IHUC hoped to send it deep, but there were several hucks that were either bad looks or badly executed shots due to the inclement conditions. The team lost focus, there were many drops, and several bad throwaways under Illini pressure. Illinois took half 8-5 and then scored a break right after half to take a 9-5 lead.

After such a massive momentum shift, things looked pretty bleak. Yet the team did not give up. It's important to repeat that. The team did not give up. This year's squad has shown that they are always in contention with a D-line that can make filthy plays and earn multiple breaks and an O-line that can be nearly untouchable when they are clicking. Things started to get better as the O-line recognized the poaches and the handlers really moved the disc to help clear them; looks were tight and there were fewer turnovers. D-line started throwing a zone occasionally even though there was not very much wind, earning a few breaks back (including a Callahan). Due to low numbers, players were switching lines fluidly. The lead became smaller as momentum started to slide back in Iowa's direction, but there still came the point where Illinois was up 12-10 and had beat the Iowa zone by going over the top. Playing hard man defense, shutting down the handlers and getting layouts, IHUC would tie it up at 12's, game to three. Then each team would trade to tie 13-13 as cap went on. Iowa D-line would step up big to get a huge break, and then step up big again to get two D's on gamepoint, showing patience near the endzone until at last the space opened up and the victory was secured. 15-13.

It was a game of runs and momentum shifts, and was pretty ugly as Iowa did not carry the early momentum forward. But still, it was a comeback to be proud of, the team getting it done when it matters. Bottom line: We win. We advance to finals.

Kansas State beat Arkansas in the Semi's and were ready and waiting for the final match. Iowa would bring the intensity from the last victory to start off hot again, getting three breaks, effectively taking a lot of the fight out of a tired Kansas State. The teams would then trade points; weather was becoming foggier and colder by the minute, and Iowa again lost some its intensity, feeling too comfortable. Kansas State started to switch to straight up mark to frustrate some of the sideline plays and they were beating the zone a few times, inching closer. Eventually focus would be regained and IHUC would go on a run to finish 15-9, glad to win a big check of 750 dollars. The "Big Check" turned out to be a very small paper check, but still it felt good to win the championship and finish 8-0 on the weekend. IHUC leaves just as thunderstorms and torrential down-pour hit the area. Shamrock Shakes for victory = delicious. Everyone gets home safely, despite Waffle's best attempts (the rookie sporadically driving the ShortVan at extremely slow, then extremely fast speeds, leapfrogging Nick's car, with busted windshield wipers, at least four times).

Overall a solid tourney. The team won when it mattered by working harder, but needs to be able to keep the intensity throughout an entire game, especially in the bigger tournaments coming up. There is a lot that needs to be improved upon, but if IHUC can keep getting better, they will be a strong team this year. Mr. Parker was filming for the weekend, so perhaps a highlight video will be put together, although it may not come out for a week or two as things are about to get very busy. Mardi Gras in four days, spring break and Easterns after that. Go get it IHUC.