Nate Bott interviews Luke Tapsak
On Thursday, November 20th, the Murchison Ultimate team wrapped up their fall session with a practice that featured several players from UT's open team, TUFF. Middle school ultimate met college disc as the players threw around together and got to know each other. Several Murchison players were prepared with brainstormed questions to ask their mentors, and the college guys took several minutes to answer them.
Here, Murchison player Nate Bott interviews Luke Tapsak from TUFF.
Picture: Sammy Pappert, Casey Aldridge, and Nate Bott relax in the Murchison courtyard with a couple of their team discs during lunch.
Nate Bott: What is your schedule like on practice days?
Luke Tapsak: School, work, and practice 6:30-9:00.
NB: What year are you in school?
LT: I’m a senior.
NB: How long have you played Ultimate?
LT: Six or seven years.
NB: What are your long-term Ultimate goals?
LT: To play elite club ultimate and win a national championship.
NB: Why did you start playing Ultimate?
LT: I got hooked the first time I ever played a game.
NB: Do you play on any other teams besides TUFF?
LT: I’ve played on a few club teams like Seuss.
NB: What classes are you taking?
LT: European history, government…
NB: Do you play against schools across the U.S.?
LT: Yes, at tournaments.
NB: How do your parents feel about you playing Ultimate?
LT: At first they weren’t sure, but now they’re into it.
NB: Who are your Ultimate role models?
LT: Steven Presley.
NB: Who is your biggest rival?
LT: Texas State, UNT and Kansas.
NB: What other sports did/do you play?
LT: Tennis and soccer for a year.
NB: What are tournaments like?
LT: They’re loads of fun…the best.
NB: Where are you from originally?
LT: Austin.
NB: What brought you to UT?
LT: It’s a good, affordable school.
NB: What are TUFF practices like?
LT: We do drills, conditioning, scrimmaging, and strategy.
NB: What was your favorite Ultimate moment so far?
LT: Playing in the semi-finals of College Nationals and playing for Lamar and McCallum.
Nate Bott is an eighth grader at Murchison Middle School. He has been playing Ultimate for two years, and he was elected a captain during his first season with the MMS Ultimate team. Nate has experience in soccer and gymnastics, and his athleticism and positive attitude make him a natural for Ultimate. His younger sister, Nona, also participates on the team.
