play ultimate.
who we are
231 Youth Ultimate is northern Michigan’s youth ultimate program, based in Traverse City. We help athletes grades 6 to 12, boys and girls, learn and enjoy ultimate disc at any skill level and provide the opportunity to compete at the highest levels. We offer a supportive environment where the Spirit of the Game is paramount. We affiliate with USA Ultimate and require our players to be registered members.
What is Ultimate Frisbee?
“When a ball dreams it dreams it’s a frisbee”
Ultimate is one of the fastest growing sports in America. Gameplay resembles American football, in that players pass an ultimate disc (frisbee) between themselves trying to advance the disc to the opposing end zone. At the heart of ultimate is a concept known as "the spirit of the game", an intense sportsmanship that is unique to the sport. Even at the highest levels of play, Ultimate is officiated by the players. "The Spirit of the Game" is embraced by the Ultimate community around the world and makes this one of the most welcoming, inclusive sporting communities imaginable.
Our story
Our program dates back to January of 2019 when coaches Bryan Ruediger and Cooper Stock Heston took a group of middle school players to Lansing for an indoor tournament. The team, TC Congas, did not win but a love and excitement for the sport was born, and the team returned for more tournaments that year. In spring of 2020, 231 Youth Ultimate was ready to launch but was shut down by the global pandemic. In 2021 the program began with Chris Courtright as head coach. That June our middle school team won the state championship and our high school team was given the spirit award at the tournament in Grand Rapids. In August of 2021, five players joined a statewide team and competed at USA Ultimate’s national competition, the Youth Club Championships in Blaine, Minnesota.
Meet the Team
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Chris Courtright
In 2016 he attended his first Masters Nationals competition on a team with only 8 players. In 2016 he attended his first Grandmasters Nation championship in Beach Ultimate.
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Coach Jess
I’m pumped about ultimate. I started playing in college and fell in love with the sport. This will be my tenth year playing ultimate and sharing it with others! I often learn by watching higher levels of ultimate.
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Taylor Holloran
I helped found our high school ultimate team and was captain of the Pan Fried Funk ultimate team at Gettysburg College. I have played in leagues in Argentina, Cambodia, and New Zealand, and always feel at home on the ultimate field. I am thrilled to introduce a new generation to a game that has brought me endless joy.
