On the first day of Christmas, Ultiworld gave me…the most important predictions for the 2024 season!
December 12, 2023 by The final world In preview with comments
Ultiworld’s coverage of the 2024 collegiate season is presented by Spin Ultimate; All opinions are those of the author(s). Find out how Spin can make you and your team look your best this season.
It’s time to uncover some gifts as we introduce the 12 Days of College Ultimate. Over the next 12 days, we’ll be releasing one giveaway a day, but don’t count on getting any holiday chicken: it’s all about college. From highlight videos to player chats to season predictions, we’ve got a little something for everyone. On Day 1 of 12 Days of College Ultimate, we’re highlighting some of the top new recruits joining the college ultimate ranks.
Women’s sections
Bella Russell (UNC)
Russell, a product of the Triangle’s youth scene, joins the North Carolina Pleiades having already won a PUL championship with Raleigh Radiance and a gold medal with USA U20 at WJUC 2022. She is a powerful thrower, capable of bolstering the offense at the college level. It will be interesting to see where she fits into the Pleiades system, but expect to see her behind the Pleiades dial as they graduate three of their most touch-heavy handlers.
Lauren Godeau (Washington)
After two seasons with the Seattle Riot and a USA U20 gold medalist, Lauren Godeau will play in the college division for the Washington Element. She is a powerful and dynamic cutter who can make huge plays. With her size, speed and experience, she will be a contender in the women’s division for years to come. Expect to see her step into a major role for Element who loses roughly 53% of her attack from DI Nationals.
Harper Bayer (Stanford)
Baer is another Triangle product with two U20 selections (2020 and 2022), after a gap year. It is the complete package of a college program. The 5’9″ lefty can play any position, though he’ll likely play as a cutter, and has the finishing IQ of someone much larger than him. She could easily slot into Stanford’s D-line to fill Hannah Huddleston’s hole or into Stanford’s O-line alongside the already strong cutting core of Sage McGinley-Smith and Anika Quon.
Chagall Gelfand (Carlton)
The Seattle-Carleton pipeline remains strong. Chagall Gelfand joins Syzygy after winning gold with Team USA U20 (2022) and Team Seven Hills U20 YCC. Gelfand was a D-line center tackler for the U20 team with big pull-ups and pull-ups. Expect her to be an immediate impact player in Syzygy, able to lead the attack before or after the turn.
Tatum Cuprilovic and Anne Posey (Vermont)
Both Kubrilović and Bosi come from families of great players. Kubrilovic has been competing and having success at the college level for years with the Triangle Tourists. Similar to her sister, Pozzy brings huge throws, athleticism and top-level YCC experience to Ruckus. Vermont has had a lot of high-profile recruits over the past few years, and will know how to integrate another strong recruiting class, which also includes Rita Narbonne and Seattle producer Ella Monaghan.
Miju Lee and Brielle Wong (UBC)
Every year UBC brings out some of the most talented players from the Canadian youth scene, and this year is no different. Lee and Wong both won junior national titles and were selected to the 2024 WJUC co-ed team. Lee was part of the bronze medal-winning U20 team in 2022 while Wong led their team to its first-ever regional title in high school. Expect them to be big boosts to the Thunderbirds’ roster, which is already one of the deepest in the division.
Eva Taberski (Mount Holyoke)
A wide receiver, Taberski has good size and length, along with the smarts to know how to apply those tools. This has helped her lead Vili Fang in goals in the 2023 Youth Club Championship. Her sense of timing and play development are already very advanced, which helps her in her efforts on both sides of the puck, but as she sharpens she can become a real possession player. It will be interesting to see her role with Mount Holyoke, as she can benefit the team in many ways.
Men’s sections
Tobias Brooks (Colorado)
Lest you forget, less than two months ago, Tobias Brooks was in a brilliant display for Raleigh-Durham United at the Club Nationals, finishing second in the BPOTY. Shining during the college season should be a relative walk in the park for this talented hybrid who also has experience playing for Team USA U20 and the Carolina Flyers in the AUDL. Rather than any specific skill, Brooks’ maturity stands out most when watching him play. His ability to read the defense and make decisions quickly is well developed for someone who has yet to play a college blockbuster.
Raekwon Adkins (Oregon)
Brooks isn’t the only AUDL talent to hit the college scene this year. Raekwon Adkins posted a solid +18 in nine games for the Oakland Spiders this season before starring for Berkeley Zyzzyva on the club circuit. A great catcher, tenacious defender and pitching thrower, Adkins has the tools to play a key playmaking role for a team with aspirations of playing in the outfield at the Nationals.
Mark Hinkie (Texas A&M)
After emerging last AUDL season as a standout defender for the Austin Soul, Henke enters Texas A&M looking to put Dozen back on the national radar. As a “3 and D” type specialist in the Austin Soul, Henke finished in the top 10 on his team in both blocks and goals despite not playing in a featured role until around July.1 He should have a bigger role offensively for A&M than he did at Sol, but he’s more than capable of playing both sides of the puck. Having already been elected as team captain, teams around the bid bubble will keep their eyes on Henke as Dozen looks to earn an additional bid for South Central this season.
Julius Claiborne (Pittsburgh)
Another junior with a famous last name, Clyburn comes from the same Devyl program as his older brother Dexter, who was last seen as the centerpiece of a Cal team that made the bracket at Nationals. Julius won’t need to be the centerpiece of a Pitt team that includes sixth-year senior Henry Ainge, but he could become Ainge’s successor as an elite defender who develops an all-around offensive game.
Ethan Lehman (UMass)
A standout on the Brooklyn Tech team that won the New York high school state championship last season, and a recent Team USA U20 tryout, Lyman is the latest talent to enter New York’s pipeline to Amherst. On a team that thrives by highlighting the strengths of all of its players, expect Lyman to have a big role even on a team that returns a lot of talent from last season to the national final.
Seth Fried (UNC)
The rich are getting richer and Darkside completes the group of fried siblings. Fried comes from the all-powerful Chapel Hill High School2 He brings many years of experience to Triforce; In 2023, he is tied for most assists on the team with Tobias Brooks. He’s fast and athletic, has quick throws, and will fit seamlessly into Darkside’s system. It’s difficult to make an impact on Darkside as a rookie, but Fried is poised to have one of the best rookie seasons in team history.
Eli Hoshidi (Perry)
The former Atlanta ATLien captain is looking to break into the Southeast Region this spring. As a shooter whose versatility far exceeds the first-year average, Eli Hoshide is capable of breaking down any mark and isn’t afraid to show off his range when his teammates push deep. In addition to his offensive abilities, Hoshide plays a smart and quick defense style that his opponents may find a nightmare to face. Along with Donovan Trophy hopeful Colin Hill, Hoshead could be exactly what Perry needs to make a deep run in the College Nationals class in May.
College ultimate frisbee is an exciting and fast-paced sport that has gained popularity among students. As the 12 Days of College Ultimate 2024 approach, first-year players are gearing up to make their mark on the field. These newcomers bring a fresh energy and enthusiasm to the sport, and their presence promises to make this year’s competition even more thrilling. With their potential and determination, these first-year players are sure to leave a lasting impression on the college ultimate frisbee scene.