Mary learned about ultimate in 1983 when a good friend Mike “Arms” Armour, an Austin Ultimate Snake player asked her to come out and play at ultimate practice. Mary traveled with the Supremes to her first tournament in Springfield, Missouri in 1983 where she played her favorite position, long and was excited to catch bombs from so many great handlers on the team. She was hooked after playing her first tournament with the Supremes.

Mary’s early Ultimate nickname that was given to her by the AU Snakes was Mary Horizontal or Mary H. The Austin Supremes, as well as many of the ultimate players in Austin at the time, became the foundation of her love for ultimate. They were patient while she was learning and generous with their encouragement.

The Supremes were a driven, talented, and fun team with an amazing captain/leader, Rhonda Williams, when Mary joined the team. The Supremes were so fortunate to gain insight from an experienced, high-level player like Rhonda. A few of the teammates got together in Chicago to visit Rhonda for a nice reunion after many of us had moved from Austin (photo above). Sadly, Rhonda passed away about a year after this get together.

Mary moved to Colorado in 1986 and was delighted to play with the Boulder/Denver Babylon Sisters through 1989 and then became DV8 from 1990 to 1994, playing at three Nationals coming in 5th place in 1991. Later she played with Rare Air at Nationals in 1995 and 1996 when they tied for 5th place. After 1996, she played on women’s masters teams as well as coed teams including Ryno’s Revolution at National in 1999 Nationals and High Plains Drifters in 2001 tied 3rd place; World Ultimate 6th; High Plains Drifters 2002 6th place. Mary was also excited to have the opportunity to play with Ozone in 1991 Worlds in Toronto.

Mary played at many Kaimaina Klassik tournaments in Oahu, Hawaii with several teams including: Tumunu and two or three of the Coyote teams.

In 1993, Mary was asked to coach/restart the CU (University of Colorado) women’s ultimate team. Mary coached the CU women from 1994-1996 and quickly found success as they were the first Colorado team to compete in the National championship tournament and tied for 3rd in 1995 and tied for 5th in 1996.

Mary was elected to serve as a board member for the UPA (Ultimate Players Association) now USA Ultimate from 1997-2002. She played and found much success in league play in Denver and Boulder winning eighteen leagues. She also enjoyed coaching and coordinating teaching ultimate frisbee at elementary, middle, and high schools in the Boulder County area.

Mary’s teammates taught her that ultimate isn’t about throwing and catching; it’s about trust, communication, and the kind of camaraderie that happens when we choose to lift each other up. This sport has brought her so many wonderful memories as well as life-long friends. We may not connect as much as we would like but we are always connected by having played ultimate with or against each other. There are few things in life that feel as right as the first time you chase down a disc, and not many players ever lose that feeling.