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School Name: University of Montana
Team Name: Bear Fight
Year Founded: 2008
Jersey Colors: Baby blue and maroon!
2010 Record: 3-11
Score Reporter
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How did you get involved with
Ultimate at Montana?
Bridger Cohan: I’m a senior in biology here at Montana, and loving it. I played in Portland, OR as a high schooler and couldn’t wait to get involved in whatever Ultimate was going on at college. Fortunately, the guys who were starting a team here were super friendly and I got to basically walk on and play. I’ve been playing the last 3 and a half years and looking forward to a great rest of the season.
What is Ultimate at Montana all about?
Bridger: At our last tourney (Big Sky Warm ups) one of the USU guys told us we were “the last real hippie Ultimate team”. I don’t know if that’s exactly true, but we definitely have a free-spirited, fun-loving vibe to our squad. If we’re not having a blast playing Frisbee, than why play? We have a long tradition of being very open to newcomers of all abilities and we probably spend as much time with each other off the field as on. Don’t get me wrong, we definitely love a good competitive game, but we’re less about crushing the competition and more about (as Reid put it) ‘crushing life’.
How did your team do last year? What was the highlight of your season?
Bridger: I think we were about even last year, as far as win/loss. We had sort of a scrappy/slutty team for sectionals so I don’t think we officially placed, but I believe we came in third. I don’t know if there was any one individual highlight that stands out, but we developed a lot and we always had some really great plays every tourney. We always get fired up when one of our friends goes horizontal.
Who is your favorite team to play against?
Bridger: We tend to have really good matches against University of Utah, it’s definitely come down to universe more than once. Other than those guys, we had several great games (and a couple pretty bad ones) last year, but I’d have to say my favorite was a Sunday game we pulled out against the Bacchus (the Lewis and Clark team) at Sundodger last fall. It was raining, muddy, and we were tired but we just got really scrappy and took game point against a team that most people, including ourselves, considered to be better. Afterwords I heard one of their guys say we were the best team they’d played against that tournament, which meant a lot.
What player is most likely to make a huge play as a thrower? As a
receiver? On D?
Bridger: All of our players are capable of throwing some crazy shit, which is part of what makes this team so fun to play on. Same with receiving; I think we’re all confident that our guy is going to bust ass to get the disc. On D, I really enjoy watching Landon and Sean get horizontal.
Who’s the least athletic starter on your team? What makes him so good?
Bridger: I think a lot of our players (including myself) would tell you they are the least athletic person on our team. We are definitely not a classically athletic-looking team; we can field a full line of guys under 5’8”. Fortunately, we are quick, we have sticky hands and we are not afraid to get up, down or sideways for a disc. We usually have at least one girl on the field as well and its great when people underestimate them and get scored on!
Without giving too much away, what does your team like to do on
offense and on defense?
Bridger: Our offense is all about the quick up-field pass and then a dishy to the handler, something we picked up from our local club team, the Flycoons. Hucks and hammers can be fun, but we do a lot better when we just make 100%, 15 yard passes to the open guy. D is hard man, foot-blocks and ho-D’s encouraged. Unless we decide to throw a zone, clam, poach or something crazy we make up.
What has your team been doing this fall to prepare for the spring season?
Bridger: Getting our freshmen up to speed and mostly just playing together a lot. Just having that subconscious understanding of everyone on your team is critical.
What tournaments do you plan to attend in the spring? Which are you
most looking forward to?
Bridger: Vegas, PLU BBQ and/or Grover Madness, Sectionals and hopefully Regionals!
What does your team do to get pumped up for a big game?
Bridger: Depends on the game and the day – We might do a big amped-up cheer and a box drill, or we might shotgun beers and play ninja until its time for 7 on the line!
What song would you pick for the soundtrack to your team’s 2011 highlight video?
Bridger: Yael Naim – New Soul. For sure!
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