It's a great year to be a Ninja!

This might be more of a nostalgic post now that I've gotten my paws on it, but I think that's alright. For me, the title says a lot, but it doesn't say it all.

Last weekend the Ninjas took a road trip down to Chi City for the Peder Hedberg Memorial Tournament: The Chicago Invite 2012. As returning champions we were excited to be heading back to defend our title, and also to show the ultimate world what our team is really made of this year.

I couldn't be more pleased with what we accomplished. Not only did we have our full roster including our amazing coaches Christie Dosch and Abby Hagel, but we had a huge support system of family and fans cheering us on from the sidelines. We went 7-0 and did it the Ninja way: playing hard, leaving it on the field, and doing it with love for each other.

2012 Chicago Invite Champions

We head into the final stretch of our 2012 season with our section tournament this weekend in Iowa. I for one am pumped. It's a weekend filled with great competition, great teammates and great friends, how could I not be? One other thing's got me psyched up though, and that's our team ranking. Currently we're ranked 20th/17th respectively by the USAU and Skyd Ultimate (call me biased, but I agree with the latter).


I'm psyched that this program is beginning to be recognized for all of the hard work, determination and love for the game that each of my teammates and I pour into it every year. -- Not to mention our playing has been extra stellar in the past few seasons, and guess what? It's only going to get better.-- As I look at those rankings, it's hard for me not to burst from how proud I am to be a Ninja. It's at this moment that I become nostalgic. Thinking of all the Ninjas past:  coaches, my co-captains and teammates, their families and friends who supported our program and helped us build up to where we are today. I find it only fitting that we go out and continue to strive for excellence, because I know if they were still eligible, they'd be standing on the line next to me this weekend, striving for the same thing.

I've never been great at wrapping up a piece of writing, so I'll leave you with this promise: We are a force to be reckoned with, we deserve the recognition we've received thus far and if you don't believe me yet, I promise you will after this weekend. After all, teams that touch more win more, and the U of M Ninjas are real cuddle monsters.

LOVE, DePalma