Each fall indoor season Ro Sham Bo is bolstered by the addition of experienced Americans studying for a semester abroad. Quite often, ultimate players choose Edinburgh based purely on reputation and a guarantee to have a realistic goal of winning a championship. This fall saw the addition of three key players that helped Ro Sham reclaim the title of Scottish Indoor Champions and put up stiff competition at the National Championships. These players are ones we all know and love: Kevin Yngve, Marc Langer, and Charlie Patten.
We caught up with these old hombres to see how they're spring season was shaping up, and asked them if they could reflect a bit on their time in Edinburgh playing for the white and blue. Let's see what they had to say.
Where is he now? Kevin Yngve #11 Northwestern University NUT
After playing for both the Mens and Mixed teams where he contributed on both sides of the disc, Kevin headed home to Chi City to get back to his roots. Returning to his States-side team, Kevin and his NUTty crew began their spring season by topping their pool at Huck Finn in St. Louis, Missouri. NUT would go on to finish the tournament in 7th place after a rough sunday, but their mouths are still watering as they sit at the 10th seed looking ahead to the Great Lakes Regionals. This will have them likely colliding head-on with Michigan Magnum in the second round. Look for Kevin to be the rock that Northwestern relies on as he closes out his final college season, just as he was when games got tight for Ro Sham Bo.
Ro Sham Blogs: Kevin, during the indoor season you were a staple for the team's offensive line, being able to provide a constant threat of scoring in the air. Aside from the high octane play of the Mens 1st team, what was your favorite part about playing ultimate in Edinburgh?
Kevin: Wednesdays. Training for hours in the mud, playing pick-up afterwards until it got dark, then going to Finnegan's Wake and spending all my money on pints. It wasn't as adrenaline-pumping as qualifying for indoor nationals, it wasn't as fast-paced as 1st team indoor training, but it was a full day of the things I enjoy more than anything else with a fantastic group of ladies and gents.
Ro Sham Blogs: Very nice. I remember you being the only person in shorts and a tank top when there was ice on the ground. Now that you're back in the states and competing with NUT, would you mind sharing a story with us from your travels with the team this spring?
Kevin: Saint Patty's day in New Orleans. I taught my team how to play "called/tell her", and we played it all night on Bourbon street. Lots of push-ups were done in bars, clubs, and on the street, and a great many women were complimented on their tits.
Ro Sham Blogs: I'm sure their tits were very nice.
Where is he now? Marc Langer #19 Brown University Brownian Motion
Marc was a defensive force to be reckoned with during his time on Ro Sham Bo. Rather than rely on jumping ability or pure speed employed by other top notch defenders, Marc put his body on the line to contest every in-cut. Often ending up more horizontal then the ladies he tangos with, Marc easily had the prettiest bids on the team this past fall. New England ultimate is no cake walk as this author can attest to, and if you asked what kind of players this unforgiving region churns out then Marc would be your perfect example. Brownian Motion has had its ups and downs this spring, most recently losing in the finals of DC Tune-Up to Rutgers Machine. With Connecticut Booty Call in the near future, Brown will look to step up their D game led by our very own Marcie Marc to allow their disciplined offense to make noise. It's likely that their region ranking will change after this weekend, but if they still linger at the halfway line come Series time then expect them to break seed.
Ro Sham Blogs: Marc, tell us what your fondest memory was during the indoor season in Scotland?
Marc: Fondest Memory would definitely have to be the huge OT Regionals win over Dundee. Charlie to Marc was the American connection for the tying score, if I remember correctly. (which I do) Also the subsequent beer drinking from the trophy, equally epic.
Ro Sham Blogs: It was definitely a time for elation and revelry. Now that you're back in the states playing with the perennial powerhouse Brownian Motion, can you tell us a highlight from your spring season so far?
Marc: Personal highlight of the spring so far has definitely been getting a chance to travel to San Diego, California, which looks like this:
and playing ultimate there instead of inside on a basketball court (no offense Britain). Say hello to everyone in RoShamLand for me.
Ro Sham Blogs: I think you'll be pleased to hear that we've expanded RoShamLand to include the internet as well.
After some Google-fu we were able to track down a video of the Arizona vs. Brown game at the Presidents' Day Classic in La Jolla, CA. It can be found here (it becomes tolerable to watch at 7:50, and Marc is in white wearing #19 with a backwards hat on):
Where is he now? Charlie "Pecs" Patten #25 Georgetown University Catholic Justice
Whether it's discs or hearts, Charlie handles them with care and compassion. His deft throws often landed perfectly into his receiver's hands in close games playing with Ro Sham Bo. Back in everyone's favorite District, Charlie has been guiding his team to what could be the best year for Catholic Justice since the Spanish Inquisition. Georgetown has continued to refine their game since starting off the season with a semifinals loss to #17 in the country UConn at Hellfish Bonanza in Harrisburg, VA. After a mediocre performance at Roll Call in their home city, Charlie and his squad are poised to make a mad dash for the single bid to Nationals granted to the Atlantic Coast. Currently seeded 8th, with no tournaments besides conferences on the radar, Georgetown is set to clash with #10 in the country UNC Darkside early in the tournament, either in the second round of elimination or in the last game of pool play. Darkside has consistently shown chinks in their armor, and if Charlie's high Ultimate IQ and handling experience can find and exploit these weaknesses then don't be surprised if Georgetown becomes the new Cinderella.
Ro Sham Blogs: We all know that you're making history for Goergetown this spring, but you've already ingrained yourself in the history of Ro Sham Bo. In your opinion, what was the best moment in your part of that history?
Ro Sham Blogs: I'm glad you had to point out my little mishap. Back to the success that you're having in the States, what do you consider the highlight moment thus far?
Charlie: My personal highlight for the spring season so far came against the University of Delaware in a cross-over game at Hellfish Bonanza. Georgetown and Delaware both won their pools and were playing for better positioning in the bracket the next day. In the three years I have been playing for Georgetown we have never beaten Delaware. They've always been known for having a team that consistently finishes towards the top of the region and were extremely cocky as the game was about to begin. However, on that very windy afternoon, after a long day of ultimate we found ourselves up by one on an offensive point upwind. Score and we win the game. Give up the point and it would come down to universe. As it turned out, I got the disc in front of the endzone, called our endzone play, and set myself up for a IO inside break flick to my cutter in the endzone. That throw had been my go-to throw the entire game and I'd been beating my mark, so he was ready for it. However, this time, instead of releasing the disc, I threw a big pump fake, got my mark off balance, and finished the game with a backhand break into the endzone. The only thing that trumped throwing the winning score was seeing the stunned look on every guy's face from Delaware after losing to Georgetown.
Ro Sham Blogs: I think that Stars had that very same look in the fall. I couldn't think of a better man to have at the helm, Charlie!
That's all we've got for you in this edition of "Where are they now?" Stay tuned as we seek out some senior ex-Ro Shammers in our next edition, and get excited to see how our friends across the pond shape up during the tail end of their season!
*Some photos by Kevin W. Leclaire from www.ultiphotos.com.
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