CHS Ultimate Alumni Featured on NBC’s Today Show!

Ultimate Frisbee pioneers and CHS alumni Joe Barbanel and Ed Summers—both members of the Ultimate Hall of Fame two of the “Johnny Appleseeds” of ultimate—were recently featured on NBC’s Today Show with correspondent Sam Brock.

In the segment, Joe and Ed took to the field to share the story of Ultimate’s roots in Maplewood and showcase why the sport continues to resonate with players of all ages. What began as something of a lark in 1968 has grown into a global sport played by millions worldwide—and Joe and Ed are still lacing up and playing every week!

Watch the full story on the Today Show’s YouTube channel (aired July 15).

Regional Talent ID Camp in Maplewood 

On July 12, 2025 Youth ultimate players ages 14–19 from across the region gathered in Maplewood, NJ for a full-day Talent ID camp hosted by the Delaware Valley Youth League and CHS Ultimate. Led by renowned U.S. National Team coaches Eileen Murray and Isaiah “Izzy” Bryant, the camp offered high-level training, strategic insight, and a glimpse into the U.S. National Team tryout process. While primarily mixed-gender, the camp included some gender-specific breakout sessions and welcomed all skill levels. Players left with sharpened techniques, new connections—and a numbered USA jersey and disc to remember the day.

In the New Jersey parking lot where high school students invented Ultimate Frisbee nearly 60 years ago, some of the original players are still throwing the disc every week.

Sparkle Motion Receives Special Commendation from Essex County Commissioners

The Sparkle Motion girls’ and non-binary ultimate frisbee team from Columbia High School was honored on Wednesday, June 11, with a special commendation from Essex County Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas at the Essex County Hall of Records in Newark. The award recognized Sparkle Motion’s outstanding achievement in winning the New Jersey state championship for four consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025).

The Founding of Sparkle Motion: 20 Years of Columbia High School Girls’ Ultimate

In the spring of 2005, three Columbia High School seniors, Mary Lamkin, Vanessa Low, and Maia Cincotta, decided to do something new: create an ultimate frisbee team, just for girls. There was no funding, no official recognition, no coaches, uniforms, or schedule. What they did have was drive, friendship, and a shared sense that they simply wanted to be in the game. That was the beginning of Sparkle Motion.

CHS Varsity Ultimate Frisbee Teams Cinch NJ State Titles

Columbia High School is proud to announce that both of its varsity ultimate frisbee teams — CHS Open and Sparkle Motion — have won their respective New Jersey State Championships in a historic dual victory that highlights each program’s excellence in athletics and team sportsmanship.

The CHS Open team captured the boys’/open division title with a commanding performance throughout the tournament, demonstrating tactical precision, grit, and teamwork to overcome rivals Montclair during pool play and again in the state finals at Drew University, May 29th. Sparkle Motion, the girls’ varsity team, mirrored that success, clinching the girls’ division championship after a series of strong matchups and resilient play all season, culminating in a dominant performance over Watchung.

CHS Ultimate Frisbee Receives a Grant from The Maplewood Foundation

We’re excited to announce that CHS Ultimate have been awarded a $5,000 program grant from The Maplewood Foundation. The generous grant will support all of CHS Ultimate’s middle school and high school programs, which are serving over 250 kids from our neighborhoods. We at CHS Ultimate are incredibly proud not only to maintain a strong connection to the birthplace of the sport, but also to continue to cultivate young leaders through the Spirit of the Game.

CHS Ultimate Alum, Marques Brownlee on NBC News

The internet’s favorite tech reviewer is also an elite ultimate frisbee player. YouTube star Marques Brownlee, with nearly 20 million subscribers, will play for Team USA at this week’s 2024 World Ultimate Championships.

The disc was badly thrown, and Jack Hatchett knew it the second it left his fingertips. 

Playing for the New York PoNY in the 2022 World Ultimate Club Championships, he described his pass from midfield as “a million feet in the air.” The disc hung there for nearly 10 seconds before it made its descent into the end zone. Three players — two for Japan’s Buzz Bullets and one for PoNY — jumped at the same time. …

Sparkle Motion Varsity Captures NJ State Title

For the third year in a row, the Sparkle Motion Varsity (CHS Ultimate gxrls) won the New Jersey State championship, beating Watchung 13 – 1 in the final match.  Sparkle Motion JV also had a strong showing, finishing third overall.

Congratulations to players who were selected by their peers and coaches to represent NJ. Eileen Conway (CHS) was named New Jersey Player of the year!

NJ All-State 1^st team: Trisha Atianzar (Watchung), Eileen Conway (CHS), Annie Dong (Watchung), Soph Irfani (CHS), Sabrina Mannion (CHS), Caelum Ritzdorf (CHS- Metuchen), Annie Shangguan (Watchung)

Check out the final game on our youtube channel.