Crews Ready to Help Younger Players Handle Ultimate Frisbee

Although Ultimate Frisbee was first introduced in Maplewood New Jersey in 1968, it is just now starting to become recognized as an actual sport. Holliston has had such a team in its athletic program for some time now and has made a name for itself, especially after capturing the 2016 Division 2 State Championship. Sophomore and first year Ultimate Frisbee player James Crews was a member of that squad.
Having laced up the cleats for the Holliston baseball team his freshman year, he found the sport getting boring and was looking for something new to peak his interest. Having some friends already on the team he decided to check the sport out. Having just finished his second year on the team, his first as a captain Crews will be heading into his senior campaign next spring once again as a team captain.
“It’s not really a common sport in the middle schools, so it was something I didn’t consider until I was a sophomore,” he said. “I had been playing baseball for such a long time, but following my freshman season I was not content anymore, so I decided to look for something less competitive in terms of high energy.”
Crews, who also plays soccer and ice hockey for the Panthers, found that he really enjoyed the spirit of the game and quickly packed away his baseball bat and purchased a Frisbee.
“There are no refs, so honesty is a big part of Ultimate, and it was a really nice change of pace and the animosity of other sports,” Crews said. “Everyone has a mutual respect for one another; teammates to opposing players.”
As that first-year player, Crews knew a little about the sport itself, but upon making the team he had to learn the formations and the proper ways to throw the Frisbee. Friend and captain Kent Perlmutter worked endlessly with Crews on his throwing so he’d be ready for the season.
“As a sophomore, we recognized that he had a strong throw with a lot of potential. Being a handler is a challenging position, and James has not only developed his throws but he can now throw the disc 40-50 yards and hit his target in stride,” Holliston Coach Chris Levasseur said. “Following his first year, he was named our Rookie of the Year. He has established himself as a dominate athlete as well as a leader and role model.”
The Panther coach went on to say that the younger kids on the team look up to Crews, because he is a hard worker that always gives 100%. As a handler, the team’s offense runs through Crews, and he touches the disc the most in any contest.
“Just about everyone can catch a Frisbee, but being a handler requires more skill and the ability to throw with accuracy,” Crews said. “Originally, I was not comfortable at all with throwing far; I was very nervous about dropping it, so I kept my throws real close. Now I’m much more comfortable with my backhand as well as my forehand throws and have worked on my low releases.”
Although a handler, Crews has also learned the position of cutter or someone who catches the disc.
“The goal of Coach Levasseur is to get everyone on the team to be able to compete comfortably at all positions,” Crews noted. “It becomes very useful if a cutter can throw the disc this way; it keeps the play moving down the field without having to wait for the handlers to get up field.”
When he steps onto the field for his senior campaign next spring, Crews will once again be a captain looking to lead the Panthers to another State Title.
“We usually name seniors as captains,” said the Holliston Coach. “Only two juniors have ever been named captain, so that says a lot about what the team thinks of James as they are the ones who voted him in, although I totally agreed with their decision.”
As an incoming senior, Crews is quite confident with his skills and is looking to use his leadership to build the younger athletes up.
“A lot of kids come in with athleticism but need to develop their skills as handlers, which will give them the versatility they’ll need to be successful,” Crews said. “I’m hoping that as a captain and leader on this team that I can set them up for success in the future, which in turn will benefit the team.”
Come next spring, Crews and his teammates would like nothing more to dismiss last year’s ninth place finish in the state tournament and return to the success they had during his sophomore season when they captured the title, and although only a first-year player that season, Crews had established himself, according to his coach.
When he steps off the field for the last time as a high school athlete, Crews is hoping that he will one day be able to play the sport again on the college level but knows that his academics are more important and will take first priority.