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School Name: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Team Name: Black Cat
Captains: David “dubs” Wenzel, William “Tres” Mansfield
Year Founded: 2001
Jersey Colors: Yellow and Black
Website: www.blackcatultimate.com
2010 Record: 18-14
Score Reporter
Tell me a little about yourself. How did you get involved with Ultimate at UW-Milwaukee?
Dave Wenzel: I am a senior at UWM in my fourth year of ultimate. I major in Accounting and will be interning full time next semester, but still playing ultimate. Then I’ll play my fifth year while getting my masters in tax. I joined Black Cat in October of my freshman year because I knew some friends who were in it and I thought ultimate sounded fun. Played my first year on B.
What is Ultimate at UW-Milwaukee all about?
Dave: We play and practice hard while maintaining a fun environment for our members. We probably have one of the most tight knit organizations as a whole, with almost everything including our B and women’s teams.
DJ Wurster lets fly a low release. (Photo by Jonathan Shertok)
How did BLACK CAT do last year? What was the highlight of your season?
Dave: We finished 4th in the Lake Superior Section and T9th in the Central Region. The highlight was probably our performance at Mardi Gras, where we upset Florida St. and Arkansas.
Who is your favorite team to play against?
Dave: We have a healthy rivalry with Grinnell. Our most memorable game last year was at Regionals when we were losing to Iowa St. 11-3 before coming back to tie it and win on universe 16-15. My highlight was that universe point when I had bookends on a footblock and a break side catch from my former captain.
Are there players on your team who deserve consideration for Callahan, All-Region, or Freshman of the Year?
Dave: Kevin Brown could make a run for FOY. He’s tremendously talented and athletic, and also has learned a lot about the game in the past from his oldest brother Andrew, who played for the Hodags and now for Furious. Hopefully he’ll stick it out at UWM for his whole career.
Such great smiles. (Photo by Jonathan Shertok)
What does your team like to do on offense and on defense?
Dave: Offense mixes up between split Ho, vert, and sidestack. D generally tries to take away unders and force bad deep throws.
Has your team set any goals for this season?
Dave: Win the EC Chillout this weekend. Top tier finisher at Regionals. 90% team practice attendance. Loudest sidelines at every tournament.
What has your team been doing this fall to prepare for the spring season?
Dave: Playing 4 tournaments and probably practicing twice a week.
What tournaments do you plan to attend in the spring? Which are you most looking forward to?
Dave: Mardi Gras, Slumber Party, Frostbite, Chicago, High Tide, Sectionals, Regionals, Nationals (unlikely)
Michael 'Rosey' Rosenberg is scary as shit on the mark. (Photo by Jonathan Shertok)
What does your team do to get pumped up for a big game?
Dave: Gets loud.
What song would you pick for the soundtrack to your team’s 2011 highlight video?
Dave: Don’t stop me now. Queen.
Bear, ninja or cowboy?
Dave: Ninja
Who’s going to win the 2011 USA Ultimate College Championships?
Dave: Not a clue. I have no idea who most teams have coming back. Wisconsin as a blind guess, they looked really good going 1-2 as a split squad at No Wisco.
Photos by Jonathan Shertok
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