A bristling wind front stormed the California coastal areas this past weekend. High pressure fronts above the ocean, and low pressure fronts inland characterize Pacific Coastal wind storms. The UC San Diego Air squids ensured to bring their own kind of pressure to Santa Barbara invite. Though high winds and rain do not characterize the Air Squids typical practice conditions, the Squids absolutely LOVE water, so they brought their mightiest passion and intensity to last weekend’s tournament.
The Air Squids saw their first action against Cincinnati. At the half, the Air Squids were down by 3 points. The team huddled together and let out a thundering cheer which echoed throughout the lands proclaiming that enough was enough. The Squids stormed back onto the field to show the team from Ohio that their journey to California would be for not. The Squids ensuing flurry of throws dazzled the Cincinnati defense. Jake “Crouton” Gutkowski, pouncing about the field, his hair swirling through the wind like a golden stallion’s mane, laid out time and time again. Each step he took charged up his batteries for a bizarre, yet oddly charming lay-out that most closely resembles a cheetah tripping over his hind legs at a dead sprint. The squids mounted a vicious comeback that gave them a 1-0 start to pool play.
Santa Cruz came next. You could almost smell their fear. Though they proved formidable opponents, an unprecedented performance of endurance led by Zach “Denim” Spidell characterized the Air Squids second victory of the day at a nail-biting score of 9-8. Next came the group-play favorites, Tulane. Fortunately, Isaac “Sukasa” Rehg brought the house down with an MVP performance, leading the Squids to a statement-making victory. On Saturday’s final game, the Air Squids stumbled and lost to BYU. That being said, the Air Squids claimed the top seed in their pool and clinched a first-round bye on Sunday.
The Squids awoke on Sunday morning. Then the tempest arrived. The rain flew horizontally as the Squids warmed up. Water fell from their hat brims as they focused in on the game ahead of them. Despite an awe-inspiring and lengthy monologue by Will “Bola” Sun prior to the game, the Squids fell to the University of British Columbia 11-7. In the end the Squids placed tied for 5th, since the remaining games were cancelled due flooding.
Just like last weekend’s tournament, the Air Squids plan to take the rest of the season by storm and they could not be more excited for their own President’s Day Tournament February 13-15th.
