By Leon Korbee
The Ultimate team at Birch Cliff Public School capped an impressive season with a trip to the City of Toronto semi-finals. The co-ed team’s run to the championship ended on a hot and humid day at Don Mills Collegiate when the squad fell 12-5 to Elia Middle School.
The game marked the first and only loss this season for the Birch Cliff team that won the right to represent the East after winning all four of its qualifying games by double digit scores.
“The great thing about this team is what they don’t know about the rules, they make up for with perseverance and spirit” said Brian Barlow, one of Birch Cliff’s four coaches along with Leanne Barlow, Karen Secher and Laura Calce.
Ultimate is a sport where teams must try and reach their opponents end zone by passing a disc (Frisbee) up the field. Players cannot run when they have the disc-they must pass it. If the disc is dropped or intercepted then the other team gets possession.
Birch Cliff’s success was due to the strong passing, catching and athletic ability of its 19 member team but against Elia it ran into a team with far more experience in the game of Ultimate. This marks the third year out of the last four that Birch Cliff emerged as the Scarborough-East champion.
“We have great athletes all around,” said Barlow.” That is why we do so well in all of the sports.”