It’s not a bracket recap unless you recap the whole bracket! All the notes from the final day of an unforgettable high school season. And our All-Tournament teams!
June 17, 2026 by Erin Niesen in Recap
Another thrilling day of ultimate was showcased in the Willamette Valley! Saturday’s bracket concluded with a wild championship game between Green Canyon’s experience and Albany’s ambition. The Albany High School Cougars fought through adversity until the very last point of the game, when seniors Jasper Graf and Muhammad Awais connected on a championship-winning shot. The wire-to-wire #1 team in the country had the largest target on their back entering this weekend, and answered every blow thrown their way.
However, the victor’s story is not the only one worth telling. Twelve teams entered Saturday with a chance to win the HSNI title. Through the next three rounds, emotions ran high as the years of hard work and dedication would come down to a single point, throw, or catch. The stage had been set for the next generation of ultimate players to have their shining moments.
Drama, Heartbreak, Desire, and Elation: The Story of Prequarters
The action started early in the day with a slate of four games at 8:30 AM. A total of six points decided these four games!
Washburn’s (MN) 13-10 victory over Wissahickon (PA) was the only game not to go to universe point. Down 7-5 at half, Washburn looked to the leaders of their program who had been building to this moment as a unit since 6th grade. Seniors Niko Flynn-Rollin and Omar Smith opened the scoring for Washburn in the second half, with senior Alex Manson assisting an offense unafriad to stretch the field deep.
Down 9-8, Washburn received the disc on their own goal line after an observer ruled Wissahickon’s Wyatt Erdman out-of-bounds in the end zone. Senior Reid Bultman picked up and released a towering backhand that hung long enough for a crowd of six to form beneath. Underclassman Nolan Sanga made the impressive catch and flipped to his older brother Nathan. Finding Manson, Flynn-Rollin attacked the front cone of the end zone with precision for the game-tying break.
Following a spirit discussion, Wissahickon seniors Jonah Grossberg and Charlie Fortescue connected up the force sideline to regain a 10-9 lead. It was the last goal Wissahickon scored in the game. Cooper Pappajohn-Goldade got the 4-0 run started with a 50-yard huck to the younger Sanga, who showed an incredible first step in the cutting space all weekend. A Manson handblock set up a break on a bladey forehand from Flynn-Rollin for one. Manson assisted to the elder Sanga for two. And Manson tossed it in to Smith for the game winning break.
Lexington (MA) got a late break against South Eugene (OR) to take an 11-10 lead in an incredible back-and-forth game. A South hold tied the game and both sidelines grew loud in anticipation for a spectacular finish. Four Rivers, who had finished their prequarter game on an adjacent field, began cheering for their Massachusetts brethren. Seniors Arnav Manchala and Max Coe put up dynamic individual performances all weekend and the pair connected once again with Luke Li and Pramsu Chivakula for a go-ahead goal. After South Eugene’s Liam Erdmann converted the hold to force universe, Manchala received the disc on the sideline from Li and placed a beautiful throw into the hands of a rising Coe for the pair’s umpteenth connection of the weekend.
Jackson-Reed (DC) took a 7-5 lead against a hungry Franklin (OR) team looking to greatly break seed in their HSNI debut. The team that broke seed at Oregon State Championships to even qualify for HSNI remained close in the second half. Justin Yakusawa picked up a vibe-changing callahan with 15 minutes until soft cap and seniors Everett O’Leary and Quinn Alaeddine connected to tie the cut the Jackson-Reed lead to just one, and a mistake caused by the Franklin zone quickly turned into another break to tie the game at nine. Needing to stay on top and close the game, USA U-20 representative Ben Holland commanded the Jackson-Reed offense. A ricochet goal caught by Julian Durbin was met by Franklin’s Wyatt Cook fully extending at the back of the endzone to corral in a backhand from Alaeddine. Jackson-Reed progressed the disc up field effortlessly with Holland hitting Durbin, Leo Stitziel, Finn Farrell, and finally Benson Ezeh (rocking one of the best hats of the tournament) secured the game-winning point on universe.
Finally, Middleton (WI) only earned one break in the second half against Four Rivers (MA). Middleton took an early lead, but Four Rivers seniors Russell Herbert and Kolin Broderick solved the Middleton zone and heeded sideline calls for tenacious defense to connect on a break to take the half 8-7. Both teams looked to stretch the field with deep throws in the second half. While many shots got caught in the wind and hit grass, those that connected brought roars from the energized sidelines and parent sections.
Down 11-10, and with Four Rivers in the red zone, senior captain Turner Booth flew through the air to earn the disc back for the Cardinals. He found his longtime teammate Evan Natzke near the front cone of the end zone, who connected with junior Sam Way for the goal. On their next O-Point, Booth made a terrific catch in traffic and flipped it to Natzke to tie the game at 12. Herbert found teammate Cooper Whitney on the goal line before Middleton senior Russell Hellmer stalled Whitney out. Progressing the disc up the field, Natzke saved possession with a diving grab, finding teammates Conner Roth and Caleb Probasco up the sideline. Hellmer received the disc from fellow senior Mason DePauw near the front cone and bladed it to Natzke for the victory. Crediting the win to alumni Kenny Richards and Andy Voss, Booth remarked after the game on the hard work every person on the Middleton team put in throughout the season to achieve their goals.
Favorites Dominate Quarters, But Edina vs. Jackson-Reed Play a Classic
In the quarterfinals, each of the previous rounds’ victors had to challenge a pool winner from Friday. For Lexington, Middleton, and Washburn, the wear of their previous game deeply affected their ability to contend with the fresh legs of Lakeside (GA), Green Canyon (UT), and Albany (CA), respectively. As the games continued, these early deficits became too much to dig out of, and the favorites would advance into the semis with little issue.
Things got very interesting, however, in Jackson-Reed’s contest with Minnesota powerhouse Edina. The two teams have a long history, going back to Jackson-Reed’s days as Wilson High School. A back-and-forth game saw the teams trading breaks early. It was a battle of dominator offenses, a signature style from Jackson-Reed clashing with a dynamic flowing set from Edina. 6’5” Josh Furo was a menace as the mark in Edina’s zone, cashing in an early break with a well-timed isolation cut in the end zone. Tied 7-7, Jackson-Reed’s Holland and Farrell showed patient decision-making in their resets. A misthrow gave Edina the chance to break for half, but Ezeh would come up big once again, skying the pile, hyping himself up while the disc was still live, and flipping to an emphatic Max Greene.
The Edina coaching staff is amongst the most experienced in the history of HSNI. Their notoriety on a national level creates envy from opposition both near and far. Before the tournament, Head Coach Nate Wohl said, “We always take each game as if we are a ‘prove it’ team for each opponent and for them to play their best against us because of who we are.” Playing with a relit fire, Edina’s Aiden Sneller generated a turnover. Moments later, Furo skied a pile of Jackson-Reed defenders, and soon the disc was being dished from Patrick Vose to Cameron Mitchell for a critical Edina break. Capitalizing on a sequence of Jackson-Reed errors, Edina’s Nolan Manuel floated a mark-shattering around-backhand into the arms of Harrison Brothers for another Edina break, giving them their first lead since it was 3-2.
With pressure intensifying and players becoming fatigued in rising heat, Edina struggled to make connections. Jackson-Reed was gifted a break but was unable to convert on several other opportunities presented. Tied at 10-10, an unforced turnover gave Edina the disc in the red zone. Senior Grey Holder connected with Cameron Mitchell for the Edina break through contact which drew a yellow card. After a pair of holds, Edina’s stifling team defense generated a clutch turnover. Pushing 70 yards on eight passes in 15 seconds, Harrison Brothers connected with Furo for another Edina break. After a hold, Jackson-Reed trailed 13-12 with 1:30 to go until soft cap. A poach block from senior Mitchell Lillie soon converted into a game-tying break as Ezeh found Farrell in the end zone out of some elegant horizontal flow.
With their season coming down a best-two-out-of-three points, Ben Holland substituted on for Jackson-Reed’s D-Line. Showing no fear, Edina quickly worked the disc up the force sideline where it found Dylan Ferrao in the red zone. His upline pass was caught by a bidding Mitchell at the front cone of the end zone. Edina senior Owen Rees, who was able to find isolation space all weekend, made himself wide open in the end zone for the goal. With the game on the line, Holland overshot Farrell, and a bidding Greene could not save possession for Jackson-Reed. After an Edina timeout, Manuel lofted a floaty forehand to the opposite corner of the field where Mitchell skied a pile (including teammate Michael Jakobe) and flipped the disc to a sprinting Manuel, who toed the line for the game-winning reception.
After the game, Edina seniors Harrison Brothers and Cameron Mitchell expressed deep pride in their teammates for battling back as they had done so many times before. “This is the third game this tournament we had to come back from being down a couple breaks, and it’s just incredible what this team can do under pressure” said Mitchell.
West Coast Superiority in the Semifinals
Our first semifinal game featured Albany and Lakeside. The two teams met at HSNI in 2025 in consolation play, where Lakeside took a 10-8 victory. Lakeside had sustained an injury to senior captain Pearce Becker in pool play on Friday, and his absence showed itself early. Starting the game on offense, Albany’s stars shined against the infamous Lakeside zone by opening the game with a clean hold, then following it with a break. Lakeside responded and soon tied the game at 3-3 due to Albany’s high, floaty throws (a go-to of their offense) being carried away by the wind.
Unfortunately, signs of fatigue began to show for the depleted Georgia roster. Senior captain Sam Shapiro had been the heart of the team all season, but even he needed to routinely stretch out cramps during the game. Albany defenders began forcing the Lakeside cutters back towards the disc, making them use their legs more than they would like. Offensively, Muhammad Awais showed off his throwing arsenal as Albany had all the answers for whatever Lakeside threw. Up 6-5 with half-cap sounded, Nicolas Rusa connected with Awais on a same-third huck to create a break-for-half opportunity. Albany forced backhand the following possession, and Evan Weinstein was able to intercept a pass from Lakeside captain Sawyer Morgan. Getting into an endzone vertical stack, Weinstein connected with Awais, who launched a cross-field hammer for Matt Wong to take a half 8-5.
Both offenses started the second half with a series of clean and dirty holds. Every goal for Albany brings them one closer to a berth in the title game. Up 10-8, Albany’s O-Line continued a turnover-less half when Rusa found senior Jasper Graf for the goal. The 6’5” Graf was a problem for opponents all weekend in the cutting space, but also with his high release throws that seemed to float exactly where they needed to be. A pair of Albany breaks, the first from Awais to Weinstein and the second from Graf to Awais, sent the Cougars to the HSNI championship game for the first time in the six years that their program has existed.
On the other side of the bracket, Green Canyon took on Edina in a rematch of the 2024 HSNI championship. The story of this game was unforced turnovers by the Edina side. Edina dropped two of Cody Edelmayer’s forehand pulls in the first half of the game, giving Green Canyon easy break opportunities, which they converted (granted, Green Canyon also gave Edina a free break on a dropped pull).
Beyond literal drops of the frisbee, each team’s offense was cruising. Quarterbacked by Edina single-season assist record holder Danny Teply, the Hornets converted a clean hold on a perfect throw from Teply to Owen Rees for Rees’ second goal of the half. Not to be outdone, Green Canyon’s superstar Blake Holt lined up a pair of long forehands for senior Blake Phillips. While Phillips dropped the first, after an Edina turn, he corralled a much more impressive throw from Holt for his fourth assist of the game to give Green Canyon a 6-4 lead. After a hold, Edina cashed in on a Holt missthrow for a break from Michael Jakobe to Charlie Gunter. In his play on the disc, Holt landed awkwardly on his ankle. With Holt sitting out the ensuing point, senior Miles Phillips took the opportunity to show off his own deep throw ability on a shot intended for Trek Hansen that was stolen away by teammate Luke Johnson. The Green Canyon D-Line generated a turnover to set up a full field break opportunity. Running out of their vert stack, Green Canyon swung the disc patiently between Saldivar, Edelmayer, and Hoffman before the latter two connected on a half-breaking hammer to lead 8-6.
Remarking on their extensive training this season, including two-a-day practice sessions every day of the week, the kids from Utah entered the second half with a deep determination to finish the job. Holt returned to the game and picked up his fifth assist on a snappy backhand to Alex Burris, and the Green Canyon O-Line cruised through the second half, only turning the disc over twice and never allowing Edina to break. Continued unforced errors from the Edina O-Line set up Green Canyons’ D with ample opportunity to break. Up 10-7 Edelmayer found a sprinting Ben Bond on a backhand rip in the end zone, causing an outpouring of emotion and brotherhood from their teammates. Green Canyon’s deep seniors were given a pair of break opportunities late in the game against a fatigued Edina O-Line, but could not make either count. Up 14-10, Holt received the disc on a swing and unloaded a forehand that met a diving Alex Burris for the game-winning goal and Holt’s sixth assist of the game.
After a bit of a down year in 2025, Holt felt thrilled to return to the championship game at HSNI with a ‘heck-a-ton’ of depth and talent this time around. Expressing confidence in his teammates, Holt remarked, “If we’re rolling, I think we’re going to take this. And I’m super excited to keep the energy high.”
Notes from Around the Complex
Championship-favorite and Oregon state champion, South Eugene, saw their run end unexpectedly early in a loss to Lexington. Despite unfavorable results on Saturday, South Eugene showed talent and depth in all their contests.
Seniors Eli Casper, Liam Erdmann, and Charlie Nieckarz were electric throughout pool play. Casper opened their game against Edina with a hand block and flipped it to Penn Stites, who was as dependable as they come in the red zone. His older brother Watson Stites exemplified chaos for the D-Line, which led to many breaks, including a perfectly placed forehand to Alex Newman along the sideline to break for half against Brooklyn Tech. Erdman and Nieckarz were dynamic in the cutting space in that contest, catching multiple deep shots in which South Eugene never trailed. Players like Ewan Casper and Charlie Anderson are sure to keep South Eugene a threat for years to come.
A down year at HSNI says nothing less about this program, and maybe they can look to replicate Green Canyon’s success after a down year.
*****
HSNI’s other team from the host state, Franklin (OR), surpassed all expectations this weekend! Franklin’s big three (figuratively and literally) in Wyatt Cook, Will Sinkford, and Quinn Alaeddine elevated Franklin to new heights in their HSNI debut. Their Friday started with two competitive losses against Washington rival Lincoln and eventual semifinalist Lakeside. A 13-9 victory of Four Rivers would earn Franklin 2nd place in the pool based on point differential. The no.16 seed in the tournament saw their chance to advance to the quarterfinal be taken away on universe against Jackson-Reed, and the legs unfortunately gave out in consolation play. In addition, Franklin ran a stifling zone defense throughout the tournament with two of their female-matching players, Solène Curren and Liv Fraser, often playing up close and personal to the disc.
*****
Representing the Midwest, Middleton (WI) and Washburn (MN) tied for fifth place. Coincidentally, both teams went 4-2, with their only losses coming to finalists Albany and Green Canyon.
Washburn improved upon their T-15th place finish in 2025 by defeating Columbia and Lexington in pool play and making a splash in the bracket against Wissahickon in prequarters. With a strong group of seniors who began playing in middle school, including captains Niko Flynn-Rollin, Omar Smith, and Alex Manson, the Millers stuck to their game plan and gained critical experience for their blossoming underclassmen, in addition to the Spirit Prize.
Middleton’s HSNI debut began with a 13-9 win over Roosevelt and a 13-10 win over Jackson-Reed. The Cardinals broke Four Rivers on universe in prequarters, a game which senior captain Evan Natzke called the greatest win in his time with the MHS program. Natzke, alongside Connor Roth and Caleb Probasco, each put up double-double stat lines with goals and assists. For Natzke and Roth, as well as seniors Turner Booth and Russell Hellmer, it was the culmination of five years of work as a Cardinal. With a blossoming middle school program in Middleton (that could really use some assistant coaches!!!), the future remains ever bright for the three-time Wisconsin state champions.
*****
YULA Invite champions Lexington (MA) were one of the most exciting teams to watch at any given game. Their tournament opened with an upset over Columbia, where seniors Max Coe and Arnav Manchala complemented one another with 10 goals and 10 assists, respectively. In their universe point prequarter victory over South Eugene, Luke Li got involved with his isolated cutting ability and deep throws to Pramsu Chivakula. The individual performances of this team were nothing short of remarkable. An up-and-down season for Lexington ends with them peaking at the right time.
*****
After an 0-3 Friday, including a heartbreaking loss to Wissahickon, Brooklyn Tech (NY) went on a run in the consolation bracket to take 10th place overall and hold seed. A 10-8 win in the border battle with Columbia capped a season-long back-and-forth affair. New York’s first-ever HSNI team made quite the impression as a tenacious opponent; no game they lost was by more than five. We love Tech support.
*****
Credit must be given to our observers for their communication with players and coaches who might not have experience playing with orange. Observers were quick to use their voices when necessary and encouraged discussion between players before allowing for a ruling. At College Nationals in May, we saw an uptick in blue and yellow cards issued by observers and in-game consequences for violations as a result. While the stakes were lower at HSNI, observers were unafraid to card dangerous or unspirited actions. HSNI remains a place for the future of the sport to learn and grow. Go thank your local orange.
*****
All-Tournament Teams
First Team
Muhammad Awais (Albany)
One of a dozen players from Albany to begin playing ultimate in middle school, Muhammad Awais has blossomed into arguably the best high school player in the nation. His 5G, 3A, 2B, 2T stat line in the final does not even begin to explain the profound effect he has left on this Albany program. Awais will be attending UC Santa Cruz.
Jasper Graf (Albany)
The fire to Awais’ ice, Graf was the heart and soul of the Albany team at HSNI. From his towering defense in the deep space, to his cutting ability on massive unders, to his high release hucks that seem to defy all rules of reality. Graf matched Awais’ stat line with five goals and three assists in the final, including the one that won it all. Graf will be attending UC Santa Cruz
Danny Teply (Edina)
Breaking the Edina single-season assist record while at HSNI, Danny Teply showed himself to be the most controlled thrower of the tournament. His cutting ability out of Edina’s dominator sets made it difficult to keep the disc out of his hands, and his capability quarterbacking an uber talented O-Line set his team up well for a deep run. Teply will be attending Grand Canyon University.
Blake Holt (Green Canyon)
In his 4th HSNI appearance as only a junior, Blake Holt has shown himself time and time again to be one of the best young throwers in all of ultimate. His six assists in the semifinal and nine in the final (to go along with two goals) were just not enough to see his Green Canyon team win it again. With Holt entering his senior season, Green Canyon will look to compete for an HSNI title in 2027.
Sam Shapiro (Lakeside)
The star of Lakeside for the past two seasons, Sam Shapiro has shown off unbelievable skill in all aspects of his game. An injury-ridden Lakeside roster was unable to make as deep of a run as they wanted, but they could always turn to Shapiro for confidence in the handler space or a powerful grab in the air. Shapiro will be attending the University of Georgia.
Max Coe (Lexington)
Opening HSNI with arguably the best individual performance of the weekend, Max Coe scored 10 goals in a 13-11 victory. In prequarters, Coe got open seemingly effortlessly, even when drawing the opposition’s best matchup. His air superiority paid dividends, catching the game-winning huck from partner in crime Arnav Manchala. Max Coe will be attending Tufts.
Evan Natzke (Middleton)
Evan Natzke has transformed the Middleton High School Ultimate Frisbee Team. In a Madison scene that had fallen out of the national spotlight since Covid-19, Natzke helped Middleton win its first Wisconsin State Championship in 2024 alongside captains Connor Roth, Koen Reiter, and Erin Niesen. Middleton fell short of qualifying for HSNI at Neuqua Knockout in 2024 and 2025 (finishing third place both times), but broke through in 2026. Not solely content with making HSNI, Natzke led a determined senior class of nine to a 4-2 record, a game-winning catch on universe point in prequarters, and a T-5th place finish in their tournament debut. Natzke will be attending the University of Minnesota. Card Love.
Second Team
Nicolas Rusa (Albany)
Jacob Hoffman (Green Canyon)
Ben Holland (Jackson-Reed)
Sawyer Morgan (Lakeside)
Arnav Manchala (Lexington)
Alex Manson (Washburn)
Jonah Grossberg (Wissahickon)
Third Team
Hugo Tsai (Albany)
Ellis Kohn (Brooklyn Tech)
Harrison Brothers (Edina)
Cooper Whitney (Four Rivers)
Wyatt Cook (Franklin)
Benson Ezeh (Jackson-Reed)
Kai Kameda (Lincoln)
Rising Stars Team (Non-Seniors)
Amanat Ali (Albany)
Tommy Cogan-Drew (Columbia)
Blake Holt (Green Canyon)
Max Greene (Jackson-Reed)
Caleb Probasco (Middleton)
Ari Shapiro (Lakeside)
Nolan Sanga (Washburn)
