(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE: Andrew Bergman readies himself between points while playing doubles last spring for the Princeton High boys' tennis team. Bergman, who also starred for the PHS Ultimate Frisbee club during his high school years, will be pursuing that sport as he heads to Princeton University next month.

Former PHS Tennis Standout Bergman Ready for Ultimate Experience at PU

Bill Alden

As he started middle school seven years ago, Andrew Bergman was focused on tennis and perfecting his backhand, forehand, and serve.

But in summer camp after eighth grade, Bergman's athletic horizons broadened as he started learning about the huck, the flick, and the hammer as he took up Ultimate Frisbee.

While Bergman stuck with tennis through high school, establishing himself as a solid doubles performer for the Princeton High boys' team, his love for Ultimate Frisbee grew through the years.

Bergman played for the PHS Ultimate Frisbee club all through high school, emerging as a core player for the team. This past summer, Bergman played for the "Tang" team in the Mercer County Ultimate Disc League (MCUDL), helping the squad make the "Draft" division semifinals.

In a few weeks, Bergman will turn his sporting focus solely to Ultimate as he joins the Princeton University men's Ultimate club, which goes by the name of "Clockwork Orange."

For Bergman, Ultimate has proven to be a natural complement to tennis. "Tennis isn't a team sport," said Bergman. "I enjoy playing on a team and working with others. I'm playing with friends and I'm using a different skills set."

Ultimate is a free-flowing game with seven players on a side played with a 175 gram flying disc. The object of the game is to score points by passing the disc to a teammate in the opposing end zone, similar to a touchdown in football. Players may not run while holding the disc.

While competitive and intense, a vital component of the game is the so-called "Spirit of the Game," which emphasizes the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, and the joy of play.

Bergman enjoys the tactical aspects of Ultimate. "I like the strategies of the game," asserted Bergman. "Even though it is a fast-moving sport, you still can use strategies. As you approach the end zone, you can take a time-out or set up a long pass. There is a lot of feel to the game."

The social feel of the competitions and the people involved is another drawing card for Bergman.

"Most of the games take place in weekend tournaments," said Bergman. "You may not play a game for two weeks and then you play six games in a weekend. The tournaments are very intense when you are on the field, especially when you are playing a really good team that is out to beat you. Off the field, things are more relaxed. You spend the night and you get to know the people on the other teams."

Playing in MCUDL's coed Draft league this past summer proved to be a good mix of the competitive and social components of the game.

"The Draft league is less intense and more relaxed than the 'A' division," explained Bergman. "It was really fun; we did pretty well even though we never really melded."

As he assesses his strengths as an Ultimate player, Bergman believes his game has melded well.

"In Ultimate, most throws are backhand and forehand, which is called the flick," said Bergman.

"Most people are better at the backhand but I was confident with flicking right away. I did our forehand huck [a long distance throw akin to a bomb in football] for the Princeton High team. I am good at starting and stopping as a result of tennis. I'm not tall but I'm pretty quick and I can defend the better players."

With Bergman ready to matriculate across town to Princeton in a matter of days, he is looking forward to showcasing his Frisbee skills at the college level.

"I've practiced with the team," said Bergman, noting that the Clockwork Orange won its regional competition last spring. "A lot of people just start playing Ultimate in college so I should be ahead of the game."

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