When CRLS students think of the school’s athletic successes, they often name-drop Patrick Ewing, mention crew or track, and make a comment about how the football team historically struggles. The team which only a handful of committed players and fans will mention is the Falcons’ ultimate frisbee team. Although CRLS frisbee started off with just a single girls’ team last year, the program featured three teams in the 2024 season. The players are pleased with their season records, the team spirit, and the coaching staff in the program’s second year of existence. Perhaps in just a few years, the minds of CRLS students will jump straight to ultimate frisbee when asked about the best sports at the high school.
Girls’ Division I captain Ellie Sebesta ’25 described the team culture, telling the Register Forum, “everyone gets along, [it’s like] a big family [which] is lots of fun.” Ultimate frisbee prides itself on welcoming all players to try their best and compete. Uniquely, the game is self-reffed, meaning that enforcement of the rules relies on the honor system. Connection between players and a strong moral bond is integral to a successful frisbee team, perhaps even more so than skill and athleticism. Sebesta believes the girls’ key to victory is that they are “not the most skilled team but we put our all into every game.” Natania George ’25, expanded on the positive team atmosphere, telling the Register Forum, “The coaches put pressure on us to play our best, but [they] are also very easy to talk to and joke around with. They definitely contribute to the healthy environment.”
On the weekend of May 25th, the girls team traveled to the state tournament in Northampton. The tournament consisted of six games over two days, and the Falcons contested some of the best teams in the state. CRLS defeated Lincoln Sudbury and Lexington and lost to Newton North, Amherst, Four Rivers, and Northampton. Rosie Schrag ’25, another girls’ captain, told the Register Forum, “We played Four Rivers; we were ranked the fourth seed and they were fifth seed, and it was a really, really close game, but they beat us in the last point; there was strong wind.… It was very fun and we emerged fifth in the state. Everybody played really hard and we had a great team up there.”
Despite not having the same astounding 15 wins to six losses record of the girls, the boy’s ultimate team also made a statement this season. Calvin Patti ’25 told the Register Forum, “We were four in four.… We were division two and three this year, hopefully… [over] the next [few] years, we can try to make DI.”
The CRLS ultimate frisbee program has grown and flourished. They prioritize team connection and follow the frisbee tradition of having “Spirit Captains” as well as regular captains. The program competes in girls, boys, and mixed gender tournaments, representing the distinct inclusivity and diversity of ultimate frisbee. CRLS frisbee may just be starting as a program, but ultimately, they are one of the most successful Cambridge sports teams of the year.
