Pittsburgh Impulse Team Roster and Review

Experiencing what the coaches referred to as the hardest tryouts, toughest cuts and deepest pool of talent to hit PHUL to date, being able to release a roster and begin to focus on that one goal for the rest of the summer has to come as relief for some of the players and especially the coaches. There were two cuts necessary to reach this final roster of 22 players that have the makings to be a national champion. Some of the players are already noticing a difference in the team and truly believe this is the strongest Pittsburgh Impulse team to take the field.

So, I present to you the 2007 Pittsburgh Youth Club Team (Impulse):

Name	School	Grade	Years with team	College
Blanciak, Eddie	Kiski (played with North Hills JV)	9	1	N/A
Cervone, Zack	North Hills	11	1	N/A
Conner, Colin	North Hills	11	3	N/A
Fleiner, Paul	Montour	12	1	Cal Tech
Funk, Ben	North Hills	11	3	N/A
Gazdik, Jack	North Hills	11	3	N/A
Hausman, Julian	Mount Lebanon	12	3	Pitt
Hess, Nathan	Hampton	10	1	N/A
Hoggard, Tim	Montour	12	1	Pitt
Imler, Pete	Mt. Lebanon	12	3	Penn State
Kush, Joe	North Hills JV)	8	1	N/A
Lippert, Chris	North Hills	11	2	N/A
Macurak, Dave	Bethel Park	12	2	UNC-Wilimington
McInnis, Cody	Hampton	11	1	N/A
Olko, Jeff	North Hills	11	2	N/A
Rakers, Allen	Hampton	11	1	N/A
Reinhardt, Zach	Bethel Park	12	3	Pitt
Ross, Jack	North Hills	10	1	N/A
Thorne, Alex	North Hills	11	3	N/A
Truckenbrod, Lukas	Hampton	12	1	Pitt
Washburn, Bennett	Wichester Thurston	11	3	N/A
Wilson, Greg	Fox Chapel	12	1	Allegheny

Perhaps the most noticeable thing about this list is the amount of talent coming out of North Hills. Sending ten players, many of whom have already played on the YCC team, there was a reason why North Hills made a name for both themselves and Pittsburgh Ultimate. Led by PHUL Finals MVP Alex Thorne, this team accomplished a lot over the season. From finishing 2nd at the Paideia cup and PA States to a repeat of PHUL champions, North Hills has gained the experience, respect and talent needed to be a force in the Juniors Ultimate scene. Using the momentum and motivation of this past year allows for these players to bring everything they have to a team with a YCC championship on their mind.

The other two powerhouses in PHUL send 6 players to the field: Hampton (4) and Mt. Lebanon (2). With PHUL MVP Julian Hausman (Mt. Lebanon) and PHUL standout Lukas Truckenbrod (Hampton) on the team, the handling game on Impulse has really opened up. Both of these players posses the poise, control, arm strength and talent to make any throw and make it right.

Aside from how the team is comprised, something that may or may not be overlooked is where the seniors are going to college; half of the the seniors will be attending the University of Pittsburgh. This just goes to show the community involvement and integration that is Pittsburgh Ultimate. Recruitment comes a little bit easier when your friend and teammate in another league (Winter/Summer/Spring) just so happens to go a college near you. I know this is a high school website, but the amount of talent that will be pouring into Pitt in the next couple years is amazing and will continue to move Pitt and the Metroeast up the College Ultimate ladder.

I could go on for pages about how each and every one of these players will contribute to the team, but I simply do not have the time to do so. However, before I finish, I just want to say that each player on this team has the talent and field awareness to make a name for himself on the national level. This is a great team and as high as my expectations are for them, I'm sure they have just as high (if not higher) expectations for themselves.

Writers note: I'll have another one or two articles about this team before YCCs (most likely after their tournaments) and I am hoping to have a Pittsburgh girls YCC preview up as soon as I receive some information on the team.

2007 YCC Team Preason Preview: Pittsburgh Impulse

It might be early for some people to start thinking about Youth Club Championships, but try telling that to the coaches and players of Pittsburgh Impulse who were devistated by a 14-12 loss to Philadelphia (SEPDA) in semifinals last year. And even though finishing fourth in the nation is still a great accomplishment, there is something about that loss that leaves a bittersweet feeling inside these players.

This year coaches Nick Kaczmarek (Pitt Ultimate) and Ben Banyas (Edinboro Ultimate and Metro East All Region Team) will look to utilize what appears to be PHUL's strongest depth of players ever.

Although tryouts for the team will not begin until Monday (Memorial Day), the main core of players on the team from last year will be playing again this year; Impulse lost 7 players from last year (6 graduation; 1 age restriction). As can be expected, PHUL standouts Julian Hausman (Mt. Lebanon) and Alex Thorne (North Hills and PHUL Finals MVP) will be the playmakers on this year's team. Although early, PHUL's three powerhouses (North Hills, Mt. Lebanon and Hampton) will look to contribute a significant amount to the team's roster.

The team will hold 5 tryouts between May 28 and June 6 with the final roster being formulated the night of the final tryout. Before attending YCCs in August, Impulse hopes to attend at least two tournaments. Any PHUL player reading this and wants to have more information can contact the team at youthclubcoaching AT gmail DOT com.

There will also be a Pittsburgh Impulse B-team that, although not competing at YCCs, will attend a couple tournaments over the summer and be used as a building block for 2008 and will be for those who do not make the team to improve their skills.

Look for a more in depth analysis of the team sometime after June 6 when final rosters are announced.

NOTE: There is also a girl's Pittsburgh team being formed that will compete in 1-2 tournaments before attending YCCs in August. More information on this team will be done later.

UPA PA State Championships: The PHUL Side

With PHUL season officially over, it's time for some teams to look to the next step. For all but one of the eight PHUL teams playing in this year's state championship, this will be their final stop on their 2007 spring season; North Hills is the lone exception as they will be playing in HS Easterns.

On Thursday, PHUL finished up the season with the championship game between North Hills and Mt. Lebanon. It was evident from early on that North Hills would dominate the game and went on to repeat as league champions.

But as for States, PHUL is now showing signs of a more established and dominant league in Pennsylvania. They are sending the most teams to States (8) and three of the top four seeds in the tournament belong to PHUL: North Hills (#2), Mt. Lebanon (#3) and Hampton (#4). This, however, is no surprise as they are the best of the best in Pittsburgh. The semifinal matchup between North Hills and Hampton was one of the most intense and exciting games to watch.

Although I still don't understand how Mt. Lebanon continues to be ranked higher than Hampton, these two teams along with North Hills will be able to bring to States something that Pittsburgh hasn't been able to do in quite a while: presence. These are the teams with the big name players and these are the teams that will be able to give Pennsbury (#1 seed and early favorite to win it all) a game.

North Hills, Mt. Lebanon and Hampton have the skills and talent to be a contender for a State Championship and all three bring with them a wealth of knowledge from their coaches: North Hills (Nick Kaczmarek, Pitt Ultimate); Mt. Lebanon (Jake Christian and Evan Jenkins, Pitt Ultimate); Hampton (David Vatz, Pitt Ultimate). Being able to "recruit" the talents of collegiate players, who just so happen to vying for a National Championship in a couple weeks, has allowed for these teams to use their potential to the fullest and become a stronghold in PHUL.

For North Hills (#2), look for PHUL Finals MVP (and PHUL MVP candidate in my opinion) Alex Thorne to lead his team. He seemed to be everywhere on the field during the PHUL championship as he collected 6 goals and 3 assists in a dominating fashion. Along with handlers Ben Funk and Jack Gazdik, North Hills bring perhaps the best handling core this side of the Mississippi (and, yes, I'm serious). Look for last year's PHUL Finals MVP Colin Conner YCC players (Pittsburgh Impulse) Jeff Olko and Chris Lippert to also make their presence known on the field. If there is any early favorite to knock of Pennsbury, this is the team.

Mt. Lebanon (#3) rolled into PHUL Finals as the number one seed before getting knocked off by North Hills. Potential PHUL MVP candidate Julian Hausman will use his knowledge of the game, along with his flick huck, which by my estimate can circle the world, to dominate the game and lead his team. YCC players (Pittsburgh Impulse) Pete Imler and Zach Ehler will look to also keep Mt. Lebanon's offense rolling. And guess what? If both North Hills and Mt. Lebanon win their polls, then we'll see a 2007 PHUL Finals rematch in semis; that will be one intense game as I'm sure Mt. Lebanon is looking to avenge their two strait losses in PHUL Finals to North Hills.

Hampton (#4) is lead by senior Lukas Truckenbrod, who is my pick for PHUL MVP. This guy has to have ice as veins because he's so calm and cool in the most intense and nerve-racking games. His handling skills are among the best in PHUL and with the help of junior Allen Rakers, he hopes to dominate the offense (and defense) for Hampton. Other key players include junior captain Cody McInnis, who has exploded this year as a key player in PHUL. His defensive skills are amazing with many footblocks and skies for turnovers. Senior Perry Martin looks to own the sky and come down with anything thrown his way.

After the "big three" in PHUL, Tayler Allderdice (#9), Montour (#10) and Pine-Richland (#13) will have the best chance to break seed this weekend. These teams have the talent and knowledge to be a good team and if they are able to put the pieces together, they will be able to give anybody a fight. Fox Chapel (#15) and Moon (#16) round out the rest of PHUL.

PHUL sends three girls teams to PA States this year. Fox Chapel (#1), Hampton (#3) and North Hills (#4) all have talented girls on their teams and will look to win the girls championship. Maybe I'm biased, but if I had to pick right now, I'd have to say that Hampton has the best shot at winning it all. OK, I am biased. But I'm a writer and I can have thoughts and feelings, too, right?

Good luck to all PHUL teams taking part this weekend!

2007 PHUL Analysis: Preseason Predictions (First Edition)

With the 2007 PHUL (Pittsburgh High School Ultimate League) season under way, I am writing this to report on how I see things shaping up. My predictions are fairly similar to how the teams finished up in 2006, so there's always reason to believe I could be wrong; and I'd love nothing more than to see some of my predictions wrong as it will show that competition in PHUL is continuing to increase.

Before I start my analysis, I just wanted to let everybody know that this year looks to be the biggest improvement in Pittsburgh league history as there will be upwards of 40 teams, including a girls division that could be as competitive as they come. The skill, experience and growth of this league is something that I feel is unmatched in other parts of the country and only looks to get bigger.

So without further delay, here is how I see 2007 in PHUL.

THE CHAMPIONS

North Hills:
With the 2006 title under their belts and a trip to the Paideia Cup in mid-April, the North Hills boys are this year’s favorite to win it all. Having lost no players to graduation and acquiring Nick Kaczmarek from the University of Pittsburgh to coach them, North Hills will be a force in PHUL. The handling duo of Alex Thorne and Ben Funk brings something to the offense that no other team in PHUL can match. The speed and skill of Colin Conner (last year’s finals MVP) will continue to impress the league, while the presence of Jeff Olko and Jack Gazdik will make it tough for opponents to score. With more players on Pittsburgh’s Youth Club team than any other team in PHUL, experience and skill will be the underlying reason why North Hills will be the team to beat this season.

THE CONTENDERS

Mt. Lebanon:
In 2006, Mt. Lebanon suffered a devastating PHUL finals loss on universe point. There is no reason not to believe they won’t be hungry to have revenge and get that finals trophy that seemed to slip out of their hand at the last second. To help achieve this goal, Mt. Lebanon hired Jake Christian and Evan Jenkins from the University of Pittsburgh to coach them. The skills and knowledge of the game that these two men have will only help to surge the confidence of this team. The consistency of Peter Imler is something that opponents will need to worry about, while the arm and accuracy of big-time handler Julian Hausman will keep other teams running up and down the field; and the speed and intensity of Zach Ehler will help compliment a team that lost only two players to graduation.

Hampton:
With two losses in the semifinals in both 2005 and 2006, Hampton looks to finally break that streak and have their chance in the finals. The hiring of David Vatz from the University of Pittsburgh is sure to help them. With captains Lukas Truckenbrod, Perry Martin and Cody McInnis, Hampton will continue to build up their experience and be a legitimate contender in PHUL. The handling core of Hampton is about as good as they come and the deep threat is always there with confident throwers and receivers. A solid recruiting class by the team, who graduated only three players, will help them in their quest for a PHUL championship.

THE SURPRISES

Pine-Richland:
Having been able to watch a little bit of the non-divisional scrimmage between Hampton and Pine-Richland on Thursday, it was clear that this team has the ability to upset some teams and make a deep run into the playoffs. They got off to a quick 4-1 lead on Hampton, but suffered when a zone was thrown at them. If they can master their zone offense with the help of new coach Jack Miller, then Pine-Richland will be a team to fear.

Shady Side Academy:
Every year Shady Side plays quietly in PHUL and making it into the playoffs where they just explode. They’ve made it to the quaterfinals the past three seasons and putting up a good fight in those games. They always seem to get hot at the right time, but this year look for coach Matt Weis to keep them hot the whole season.

Montour:
Last year was Montour’s first season in PHUL and coach Darren Shultz was able to teach a bunch of athletic seniors how to play the game and we saw them cruise all the way to the semifinals. They graduated a solid amount of players, but that doesn’t matter because the skill, knowledge and ability to coach a team of Darren is what will make this team scary for a second season in a row.

Fox Chapel:
After a disappointing 2-6 season in 2006, there is no reason not to think that Fox Chapel is working hard to erase that from their minds. Returning players Dan Berk and Ariel Altschuler will look to turn this team around and make some noise during the playoffs. Having lost very few seniors to graduation, a solid recruiting class could make Fox Chapel very dangerous.

Bethel Park:
With trips to finals in 2004 (won) and 2005 (loss to Fox Chapel) in their history, Bethel Park looks to keep things moving in that direction. Only two points away from defeating eventual the PHUL champions (North Hills) in quarterfinals last year, this team can do it again in 2007 and upset some teams. Players Zach Reinhardt and David Macurak will bring experience and skill to a team that could start winning games this season at the right time.

It's important to realize that this is just a small breakdown of the large amount of teams in PHUL. I will be looking for upsets, close games and surprises throughout the entire season and hope that this year will be the most competitive season to date. I plan on writing at least a weekly article that can be found both here on PlayUltimate and on the Pittsburgh-Ultimate website. Next week’s edition will have a game of the week recap, something I plan on doing to begin to get a better grasp on some of the teams in the league, as well as news and analysis from around the league, including my input and predictions on the 2007 PHUL Girls Division.