Under threats of 90% chance for precipitation, Sunday bracket play at Westerns in Corvallis opened under cloud cover with the fields set for the Championship and Consolation brackets, but with some questions remaining from Saturday’s pool play and crossovers. Saturday play demonstrated some fairly strong differences in the level of play among the top teams and the next tier. Those fortunate to make it into the top bracket from the 2 vs. 3 crossover games faced a tough road through the top finishers from pool play, seeded after the 1 vs.1 crossovers, with the South Eugene Axemen and The Northwest School staying on top with surprise first timers Catholic HS Bears (Baton Rouge, La.) and perennial contender Hopkins Hurt in the three and four spots. Catholic HS had looked strong in pool play, coming out on top of the three-team pool C after upsetting Franklin HS and dominating Churchill. Coming into Westerns with few expectations, the Bears now looked to see how far up they could go.
First round action in the championship bracket saw the top seeds taking care of business and largely in control, with the notable exception of the game on the showcase field where the Garfield Purple Haze were pushing South Eugene more than any other team had yet. South had their prom Saturday night, but also had set a curfew and looked good and focused in warm-ups. However, tied at 5’s, the Axemen had learned that bombs to #5 senior and USA Junior World player Aaron Honn were not going to be uncontested and that Purple Haze were not afraid to run and go for their own deep shots. Both teams showed an ability to move the disc patiently as well, with South taking half at 7-6 after careful movement through the Purple Haze zone. South ultimately would prove the stronger team this morning, pulling out the win 13-10. In the other close game of the quarters, Catholic HS proved their worth holding off a determined and seasoned Nathan Hale.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Kotvis
In the consolation bracket, Monarch HS (Louisville, Colo.) and Summit HS (Bend, Ore.) were locked in a very close and exciting game. Both teams were willing to air it out to athletic receivers off pull plays and turns. Summit was able to take half, controlling the Monarch stack with the flat marks, lane poaching and athletic plays in the endzone. In the second half, Monarch caught up and was able to tie the game at 8’s after a long point and an opportune time out. This appeared to be a turning point in the game, leading to two breaks in a row with Summit struggling against the Monarch zone D. With soft cap on and game to 12, the teams traded points and athletic plays leading to the Monarch win 12-10.
The semifinals would mark the end of the tournament for Catholic HS and Hopkins Hurt, falling to The Northwest School and South Eugene, respectively and setting up the rematch of last year’s finals. South had prevailed last year for their first Western’s title and were looking for the repeat. Their road to the final was particularly meaningful for the Axemen. They played with the number 5 on their sleeves in honor of their teammate Conner Ausland who drowned in an accident on the Ore. coast in February. Conner would have been a senior this year and was a leader from last year’s championship team. South would bring the support of a loud and boisterous sideline of friends and family, who traveled the short distance up I-5 to Corvallis to cheer on the “hometown” favorite. The Northwest School was looking to avenge their loss of the previous year. These top two teams had separated themselves from the pack and everything looked to be in place for a great rematch. Even the weather cooperated, leaving the threats of rain behind and favoring the final with sun breaks and a light breeze. All in attendance anticipated a close and exciting game.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Kotvis
The final did not disappoint in the excitement department, but looked early on to be a surprising blowout. After trading and staying on serve to 3-2 in favor of the Northwest School, the team from Seattle upped the defensive pressure and forced turns on offensive miscues or dramatic big D’s. It all started with a huge sky D from The Northwest’s junior star, #1 Kalif El-Salaam over three other players, leading to a run of breaks that took advantage of short field strikes. When the dust had settled, half time saw South Eugene down 7-2. On offense out of half, South was able to hold for the score on a layout catch by #2 Braeden Emrick. Coming down zone, South got a turn but was unable to convert, 8-3 advantage still the The Northwest School. After another break by Northwest, the teams traded for several until South was able to get one break back with South Eugene’s Aaron Honn getting both the critical D in the endzone and the score, 10-6. With their sideline and their supporters very loud and singing school cheers, South put together a run of breaks of their own bringing the game to within 2 at 10-8. Another D and score by Honn kept the margin at 2, 11-9 with the soft cap and game to 13. The Northwest School would hold for 12-9 after a short pull and strike to El-Saleem. South Eugene’s comeback ultimately would fall short in the last point of the game, which featured several dramatic turns, two injury time-outs, a greatest attempt and the final catch of the championship game by # 7, sophomore Tyler Monroe.
Final score: 13-9 The Northwest School. It was a game that featured the very best that youth ultimate has to offer, exciting fast-paced and highly skilled play, a compelling story, a strong comeback and a dramatic finish. All in all, a great end to a great tournament.