First-year Laura Burt unleashes a booming forehand as sophomore Courtney Mandeville sprints downfield and skies to catch the disk for a score. This is Ultimate Frisbee with Guilford’s Ultimate team, the Biohazard. “This looks like the best year in four years,” said senior Raji Ward. ” We’re better at teaching and we have our most consistent year with people coming out.”

“The quality of our team has improved,” added sophomore Erin Reitz. “We’ve got a good mix of excited freshmen and veterans willing to help.”

This mix includes the handling skills of sophomore Tyler Lupton and sophomore Alexander Brachman; and the blazing speed of first-year Will Kimmell and Mandeville.

With a cast of 23 student-athletes, Biohazard is primed to win a lot of games during the fall and spring seasons.

“Intensity is necessary,” said sophomore James Williamson. “However, if you play too intense you lose the spirit of the game. We’re interested in keeping equilibrium.”

Williamson also outlined a full schedule, which includes a camping trip in October to kick-off the season, a Halloween tournament hosted by Guilford, as well as a Goucher tournament. Coming off a season in which Biohazard played powerhouses like Clemson and Tennessee in close matches, the captains seem confident about their future accomplishments. “We’re going to play competitive without compromising ourselves,” said senior captain Gillian Galdy. “Our team is open to anyone. Varsity athletes out of season, or anyone looking for a new sport.” One student that is new to Ultimate, first-year Madison Fetzel, described her experience with Biohazard as “confusing but exciting,” and added that veterans were very helpful in helping her learn the game. Her progress was immediately clear as she ran off the field, ecstatic after her first catch for a score.

Another indicator of success for this year and future years is the number of women competing with Biohazard. Since Ultimate at the college level is coed, the women on a team often provide the spark needed to win. Galdy made it clear that the largest female turnout that she experienced in four years lead to wins.

Biohazard is looking forward to a stellar year. With fresh blood in the program, and wily vets across the roster lending coaching and advice, Biohazard will play in the spirit of Ultimate.

In the words of Mandeville, they’ll “keep the funk” too.