Chasen Brokaw- Managua, Nicaragua -
Breaking Borders’ U20 Spring League was a great success. We had five teams participating in this inaugural league. There were 3 different round robins in Managua where teams could accumulate points to give them the best chances possible in the League Championships in Leon on May 29, 2021.
Dynamite Ultimate Club- 5th Place
For the most part this was a learning experience for all of Dynamite’s players since they started practicing a week before the league. In the 3 round robins and championships in Leon the players showed a lot of growth, not only in their physical abilities, but their understanding of and passion for the sport. The second round robin was their high point in the league as they beat the Tipitapa Warriors for their first win as a team and then the Tornados Jr for their second. Mainly due to their lack of experience and mental strength, Dynamite finished in 5th place in their first competition as a team. We look forward to seeing how this team develops with more practice and time playing together.
Tipitapa Warriors: 4th Place
This team was plagued with a lack of players throughout the entire league. Most games they played with the minimum, 5 guys and 2 girls. And in the Championships they only had 1 girl and had to play a person down because of it. This team developed grit and endurance during this league as most players were forced to play every point of the entire league. Even though they had fewer players than the other teams, after the three round robins they were going into the championships in second place. Unfortunately, due to the lack of players and some bad injuries during the championships the Warriors won their first game, but lost the next two to end the league in 4th place. If the Warriors can find some new players over the next couple of months and their capitan, Joel Martinez can recover from a bad ankle sprain, they have a great shot at having more success in the next league.
Disco Duro Jr: 3rd Place
Disco Duro was only able to participate in one round robin and the championships due to living far away from the other teams. In that one round robin though, they won 3 games and put themselves in a position for success in the championships. Going into the championships the Halcones probably expected to play against them in the finals since Disco Duro was the only team to beat them during the league, but in the quarterfinals Disco Duro fell short against the Tornados. It was the most competitive game of the entire league, except for the finals later on. The game started 7-6 in favor of Disco Duro, but after a 3 point run from the Tornados and a combination of points from Andy Genet to Angelo Calero it proved to be too much and Disco Duro lost 9-10.
Disco Duro are the giants from the north as it seems like all of their players are at least 6 ft tall and super athletic. Out of all of the teams in the league they probably have the most potential for long term success. If Disco Duro can make better decisions, be mentally tougher, and add in a couple more girls, they will have a lot of success not only in the coming youth leagues and events, but FEDIVONIC events as well.
Tornados Jr: 2nd Place
This team was probably the most confusing and consequently the biggest surprise of the entire league. Before the league started they were probably considered the favorites to win, but due to a lack of consistency from players participating at different round robins and a lot of new players, they lost more games than expected and only won against less experienced teams during the league. Although the Tornados have been around for a long time, only Andy and Diego Genet and Luis Garcia had more than 6 months experience playing. They recruited many new players this season and it made a huge difference. They added more speed on offense to give Andy more options to throw to and their more experienced players, like Luis and Diego, had more opportunities to step up when Andy wasn’t on the field. They entered the championships in 3rd place. After “surprising” Disco Duro in the quarterfinals the Tornados beat the Warriors 11-7 to reach the finals and try to dethrone the highest points scorer of the league, the Halcones. With all this experience the new players earned during this league and the continued consistent play from their offensive powerhouse, Andy, this team will be a favorite to win in the upcoming youth events.
Halcones: 1st Place
The Halcones dominated this league. They only lost one game they played, to Disco Duro, during the third round robin. Although they weren’t perfect all the time, they used their 5 years of experience playing together and their ability to move the disc quickly down the field to frustrate and dominate the other teams. Even though all players contributed to the team’s success and there were several outstanding contributors, Enrique Chavez was the MVP of the team during the league. He led the team in assists and goals.
Due to their success in the round robins they earned a direct bye to the finals in the championships. The team they would play against would have to play two games before the finals. The only question in our minds leading up to the finals was, would this extended break help or hurt the Halcones in their quest to be crowned the 2021 BB Spring League Champions? The finals was a game of runs. The game started 3-1 in the Tornados favor and then 6-3 in the Tornados favor again. It seemed like the extended break might have been a disadvantage for the Halcones and the extra games a good warmup for the Tornados. After exchanging a couple of points to make it 8-5, the Halcones went on a 5-point streak to end the game as time was running out. The Tornados had a chance to tie the score at 9-9 and force a universe point, but after a couple of turnovers the Halcones sealed the victory and the championship with a pass from Enrique, their MVP, to their captain, Juan Roy.
Conclusion and Honorable Mentions
We are so grateful to all the players and teams for putting in the work and representing themselves well in Breaking Borders 2021 Spring League. We are excited to see how all the current teams continue to grow and if there will be any new teams forming for the upcoming league later this year. Thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters, specifically Disc Store and Universe Point for providing discs and cleats so the teams could prepare for and participate in this league. You help make events like this possible.
At the end of the league we awarded medals to the players with the best spirit on their teams throughout the league. Showing good spirit and having a good attitude is so important to us at Breaking Borders that we want to make sure the individuals who exemplify good spirit are recognized. An MVP helps move the team forward on the field, but without good spirit and sportsmanship the team will never truly be successful on the field or off of it.
Spirit Winners left to right: Maximilliano Herrera (Disco Duro Jr), Gabriel Gomez (Dynamite UC), Katherine Medrano (Halcones), Angie Gomez (Warriors), Hayzeth David (Tornados Jr)
We also awarded medals to the team MVPs and discs to the highest goal scorer and player with the most assists. Team stats and the Top 5 in goals and assists can be seen below.
MVPs left to right: Andy Genet (Tornados Jr), Fernando Herrera (Disco Duro Jr), Joel Martinez (Warrriors), Enrique Chavez (Halcones), Ignacio “Nacho” Castillo (Dynamite UC)
Most assists: (Left) Andy Genet (Tornados Jr),
Most goals: (Right) Jeffrey Calderón (Tornados Jr)
Final Results
*All fotos taken by Gabriel Espinoza Genet