While the Polar Bear roster isn't ironed out yet, there are a couple key players that will have no problem making the team. These players will be forming a strong backbone to the fearsome Polar Bear team.
Michael "Bob" Liu
A man who has been a solid handler for years and is now developing into a great in cutter as well. His defense is no longer the laughing matter that is used to be as he has added a strong mark to his repertoire. Bob is a great decision maker and has high quality throws regardless of wind, his level of exhaustion or the mark. Bob is one of the few throwers who rarely meets a mark he can't break. No one should ever cut open side for Bob. The break side is his baby.
Adam "Beanpole" Raty
A solid all around player who aims for big plays. Adam is not afraid to sacrifice his body for the team and will often come up with some huge grabs. Adam will often rip the disc looking for the big plays from his teammates, which sometimes results in more turnovers than scores, but his high quality throws often make up for his questionable decisions. A fearsome opponent and a strong asset to the Polar Bears provided he stays healthy.
Dan "Robot" Naruo
More machine than man... twisted and evil. Robot is arguably the best player on our team. I don't know anyone who works as hard as him to improve his game. He is always throwing, always sprinting always working to become a better ultimate player. Just like the god damn energizer bunny, Robot's batteries never run out. One of the best offensive cutters in open in the game (in my oh-so-humble opinion) he is truly a threat to deal with on offense. Robot is the one person on this team that I avoid guarding. He's the one player with whom I have to change my entire style of defense in order to accommodate his style of cutting.
Greg "Captain Sunshine" Marliave
The captain of the team and one of the main driving forces of our defense. The thing I like (especially as a D player) about Greg's D game, is that he doesn't need to get D's to be a good D player. Don't get me wrong, he gets D's and some very sexy ones at that, but Greg effectively shuts down a lot of cutters so that they will rarely even touch the disc. When players huck the disc to the guy Greg is guarding, it always looks like a bad decision. Greg's already in the right spot with the better position. Greg's awareness on defense is phenomenal. With athletic talent and aggressiveness to match it, it's a tough thing to get open on Greg
Anchi Tsou
When my younger sister still played ultimate, I would point out talented female ultimate players and say "Someday I want you to be able to play like her." Anchi is a perfect example of that. The other captain of the team and a woman who is not afraid to kick you in the head. Many women lack the aggressiveness of men in ultimate. It's a rare thing to find that woman who is unafraid to run full speed knowing you are heading into a collision in order to get the D. If Anchi is afraid, then she hides it well, because she is a fearsome defensive player. Anchi is a woman I trust to guard the opponent's star player. I don't think Anchi is afraid of anyone. She is a player I both respect and look up to.
Lisa Pitcaithley
17 years old for another 23 days and incredibly talented. Lisa is in incredible shape (rawr) and can run forever. She has the ability to sky men and women deep, beats her mark under and is incredibly smart with the disc. Lisa has the ability to make great snags catching blades and crazy fast throws without any hesitation. While Lisa rarely rips the disc deep, she is a solid all around player who can get that lay out D, cut both under and deep, break the mark effectively and run her opponents into the ground. Lisa is another great asset to the team.
Well, we'll stop there for now. After the roster is finalized I might do a little opinion column for some of the other Polar Bear Studs as well.
All pictures are courtesy of Christine over at http://christinelaszlo.zenfolio.com/
