The Uprising: Gwangju’s ROK-Ultimate Frisbee Team

The Uprising, Gwangju’s official ROK-Ultimate Frisbee team, has just concluded its sixth season. Captained by handler standouts Mickey Joe Mojica and Charles Costello, the Uprising failed to capture the championship as in years past, but finished their season with a respectable record of 6-10. There was no disappointment to be found on the team; the members say Uprising and ROK-U offers an experience that goes beyond wins and losses.

“With the league realigning rosters, we had a lot of new players,” Captain Mojica said, “but teaching the game is really enjoyable. And [ROK-U] is great for all skill levels; everyone gets involved on the field.”

Cutter-handler Ally “GoHard” Golightly mirrored that sentiment. “Yeah, whatever your goal, you can have fun. Some people play to drink on the sidelines and share the camaraderie. Others like the athleticism and competition. It’s really laid back.”

The most common themes that emerged when speaking to members of the Uprising were the friendships and experiences they took away.

“It’s really unique and fun,” cutter Lana Kiss said. “Having the chance to travel to different cities, hang out with friends, go to some great parties after the games, you meet so many people. Playing Ultimate will end up being some of my favorite memories [in Korea]. It’s great to have everyone [men and women] playing together, too.”

This spring began quickly, with two Gwangju wins against Daejeon and Gimcheon in games hosted in Daejeon. Playing out of his natural position, handler David “Carne” Miller led the way, with newcomer Micah Korinek corralling five goals on the weekend. After a long break, the team travelled to Busan for the Haeundae Beach games. There, the sand stole Uprising’s major advantage of speed and the wind wreaked havoc with their new handlers. They lost all five games, but came back the next weekend to steal two from Gunsan and Uprising’s sister team from Mokpo.

Alternating wins and losses put them in a difficult matchup in the tournament, against the top-seeded Busan Evolution. Evolution displayed the skill that brought them there and managed to knock the Uprising out. But as usual, the Uprising won the league party held that weekend.

ROK-U is a co-recreational league. With 112 women and 189 men this season, line-ups on the field featured four men and three women. The Gwangju women had particularly good seasons, garnering universal acclaim and giving stalwart performances in the Finals. Many cannot return for the next season, however, and so recruitment has already ramped up.

Captain Costello is excited to add new members. “We can’t wait for next season. Our team is really cool, and every time we add people it gets that much better.”

The Uprising takes its tradition and past championships seriously. But there is clear sentiment amongst the players, past and present, that the relationships and family-feeling are what best define the team. It was how the team was founded and what will help carry the Gwangju Uprising into the 2014 fall season and beyond.