A family atmosphere is the goal of every team, but the ISU women’s ultimate frisbee club (referred to as ultimate, for short) has taken that to the next level as it has shown on and off the field, from the leadership to the scoreboard at the end of games.

The team, Woman Scorned, has become one of the most popular club teams on campus with the energetic, light-hearted, family atmosphere that the team’s veteran captains have brought to the table.

Brittnee Grimshaw, Linda Behrer and Sara Stuedemann are the main keys to turning the club into the family atmosphere that it is.

“[Grimshaw] joined the club with not even knowing a thing about ultimate,” Stuedemann said. “Two weeks into the school year, the team took a trip to North Carolina for a tournament. Brittnee slayed it and now is a key part of the team.”

The club almost missed out on Grimshaw, until a member waved her down at Destination Iowa State. Up until that point, Grimshaw had never heard of the sport.

“I saw the table at DIS and figured I would give it a shot,” Grimshaw said. “I was originally planning on playing lacrosse but switched last minute.”

Unlike Grimshaw, a majority of the girls getting involved with the club have experienced ultimate in some form. The influx of talent that has hit the club has pushed it to the next level and given it the opportunity to compete at a higher level.

“When we came in, not many girls knew of ultimate, but now most of the girls we get have played ultimate at some point,” Behrer said.

One of the main reasons that the talent has boomed within the club is the growth of the sport in the Midwest. In the last two years, the club has hosted the High School Centrals, a tournament where teams from all over the region compete.

The tournament acts as a scouting tool for the club and also a teaching experience for the younger kids on the teams that don’t have a large ultimate background.

“We are able to promote our team from this tournament, but more importantly, it’s time where high school teams can play competitively,” said Stuedemann.

The talent and family atmosphere have already been checked off the list, and the only step left to a successful season is filling the leadership roles. Stuedemann, Behrer and Grimshaw all bring leadership qualities to the table.

“We try to emulate what last year’s captains did since they were respected so much,” Stuedemann said. “We try to lead the team the best we can, and the respect will come from that.”

The main goal for the three is more than to win a national championship, but to leave a mark on the club that will last forever. 

“With all the positive attitudes and upbeat atmosphere that we have, even if we are down, we can pick ourselves up and get back into the game and still have fun,” Behrer said.