The Grinneleanor Roosevelts (Svelts), Grinnell’s women’s and nonbinary ultimate frisbee team, have played at two tournaments this semester, but their season is far from over. According to Captains Julia Smith `26 and Kristen Bellinger `26, they are planning several travel tournaments in the spring semester.
The first tournament the Svelts played was at home in the beginning of September against Iowa State University and the University of Iowa called Elephantitis, or Titus for short. Smith explained the tournament was a round robin, where all participants play against one another.
“People at that point are just learning how to play frisbee, learning the rules of the game, so it’s really just a tournament to kind of get to know the members of your team and kind of the general rules of frisbee,” said Smith.
Their following tournament was called Exit 69. It was hosted at St. Olaf College campus in late September, according to Smith and Bellinger. This was also a round robin.
Smith said, “We played six games there, three each day against teams from around the region.”
Bellinger added, “We got to play teams that we’ve played in the past at that tournament but typically see throughout the year. It’s nice to see familiar faces because at this point, since all of us [captains] have been playing for four years, we recognize people and have these fun on-the-field relationships with people that are in leadership positions at their own colleges and stuff.”
At these round robins, there’s no score-keeping. “It’s more for fun, and you know the teams you’re playing ahead of time,” said Smith.
For the fall season, the captains have a specific goal — to build up the team and welcome new players, said Smith. She added that the captains also want to assure all players understand and know the rules of frisbee. “I think that was really important as most of our players in the team right now have never played before or maybe been introduced to the sport.”
Bellinger agreed. She emphasized how this community extends beyond frisbee. “Frisbee isn’t only a club sport, there are a lot of traditions that go back many years,” she said, citing their team dinner they have after practices and the events held for all members.
“I think there’s a really awesome culture of people showing up for their teammates as individuals as well, which I think is pretty consistent,” she added. “People will show out to different performances or presentations. You definitely feel the support being part of a pretty big community that extends past even the Svelts membership but the open team as well.”
While Smith said the fall semester is more for fun, Bellinger explained that in the winter, “there are sort of division and sectional rules. You can play up and make your way through, but in the fall it’s really a learning-based experience.”
Travel tournaments will start after winter break, said Bellinger.
In late February of 2023, the frisbee team hired two coaches. “They’ve been a really nice addition to tournaments,” Bellinger said of the coaches. “They come with us, they help call lines, just keep spirits high and organize the logistics for the tournaments.”
During their winter season, the Svelts will be playing indoors. Their practice times will be released by the week of Nov. 10 at the latest, said Smith.
Note: Copy Editor Avery Haden `29 is a member of the Grinneleanor Roosevelts. She was not involved in the writing or editing of this article.
