Although Harding’s Ultimate Frisbee team, HU Apocalypse, is not officially affiliated with the university’s sports program, it has been competitive in tournaments across the United States. While HU Apocalypse bears the Harding name, the team is actually self-supported and does not receive funding from the university.
The team competes in tournaments across the country as members of USA Ultimate, an official Ultimate Frisbee league. Apocalypse is a member of the South Central Region in Division III.
This year Apocalypse has participated in eight tournaments, and is currently ranked 61st overall by the USA Ultimate website and is third in Division III in the nation and first in the region.
“Thankfully for us, other teams in our region seem to be down this year while we have arguably the best team we’ve ever had,” senior captain Ryan Rummage said. “We can’t get ahead of ourselves, but if we play like we have so far this semester, we should win the region tournament and advance to nationals.”
Apocalypse has competed in three tournaments this semester and is scheduled to play in two more before the semester is over. In its last tournament, Apocalypse defeated teams like the University of Oklahoma and the University of Central Arkansas.
The team finished second after losing to Texas A&M University 13-7 in the final game, according to usaultimate.org.
Apocalypse has played hard in every tournament it has participated in this year, defeating Division I schools such as The University of Alabama, Louisiana State University, and Oklahoma State University. Apocalypse members’ outstanding tournament play has earned them the No. 2 ranking in their division and a spot in the Regional tournament in April. A three-year veteran on Apocalypse, junior Nick Doores, said he feels strongly about the team’s chances in the Regional Tournament.
“We feel that we are very likely to win the tournament because of our record against Division I-level teams,” Doores said. “However, there are always teams that will make us work hard. We don’t consider winning a sure thing.”
The team is led by Rummage, senior Taren Goins, and junior Tucker Bankston.
These captains act as playing coaches as well.
Depending on how Apocalypse does in the regional tournament, it could get a chance to play in the USA Ultimate National Tournament in Appleton, Wis., this summer. Last year, the Apocalypse made it to the National Tournament in Buffalo, N.Y., and placed seventh.
Up next for Apocalypse is the Huck Finn Tournament in Missouri, which will be important in the ranking for the Regional Tournament.
“If we play like we can, I think we can make a strong run at the national championship,” Rummage said.
