Men’s ultimate frisbee hosted its annual “Learnament” over the weekend with 13 other area teams. The tournament earned its name from its purpose of giving new players experience with collegiate competition.

Kenyon SERF split into two teams: Heavy D and the Boyz and Jehovah’s Snitches. On Saturday, Heavy D and the Boyz ended the day with a 1-3 record, losing to The Ohio State University by one point, and to Oberlin on universe point, ultimate’s equivalent of sudden death.   

Meanwhile, the Snitches ended Saturday with a 2-2 record, including an impressive win against Michigan State University. On Sunday, Heavy D lost to one of Oberlin’s two teams, and the Snitches left 1-1 with a victory over West Virginia University. The tournament ended with a game that pitted both Kenyon teams against each other.

“I could not have been more impressed,” Alex Piper ’16, SERF captain and leader of Jehovah’s Snitches, said of the team’s performances. Although not an official tournament, the weekend gave teams a chance to gauge the abilities of their new players and those of other teams.

“We have a very big group of freshmen,” Ian Round ’16 said. “They’re beginners, so their throws are not quite there yet, but we’re really optimistic.”

This season, Piper wants the team to invest in each other instead of creating a high-pressure, negative environment.

“We have a tough balance of wanting to be a competitive team but also just wanting people to have fun doing it,” Piper said.

Eric Baumeister ’18 has already noticed a difference. “The dynamic this year, I think, in terms of team relationship is a lot better,” he said. Under the guidance of Piper and fellow captain Dominic Camperchioli ’17, the team is “a lot more supportive off and on the field,” Baumeister said.

In true Kenyon fashion, SERF stood out on the field in teal, purple, and yellow tie-dyed jerseys that Hal Robinson ’18 and Morgan Thompson ’17 spent 10 hours making this weekend.

SERF fans also participated in the Ultimate Tailgate event hosted by Ransom, Kenyon’s women’s ultimate frisbee team.

Though the weather was windy and there were  scattered storms, SERF member Henry Williams ’19 enjoyed himself. “It’s kind of a bummer it rained, but it’s awesome to play teams before the season,” he said.

For Baumeister, the feeling is mutual. “There’s definitely something about the team this year,” he said. “I don’t want to use the word ‘magical’, but there’s something about the team  that works.”