Cardinal Gibbons is a school nationally recognized and ranked for best athletics in the country, fielding 50 teams in 27 sports. Alongside those 27 sports is one in particular that many do not realize is a key part of the school. 

Ultimate frisbee is a non-contact sport where two teams score points by completing a pass to a teammate in an opponents end zone, with the disc being advanced by throwing not running. 

This sport has been around since 2013, however, after COVID-19 it fizzled out due to the coaches leaving Gibbons and onto other jobs. 

Despite the sudden lack of both players and coaches to make it possible, the current coach, Luke Durney, started the sport up again in 2023. 

In the spring of 2023, a senior by the name of Matthew Degele pushed Durney into starting up a team.

“He had been in an ultimate team before. I think Gibbons had a team pre-Covid too,” Durney said.

Degele asked Durney to sponsor the Ultimate Frisbee team, but originally Durney said no. 

“I had too much to do,” he sighed. 

Despite the initial answer, Degele refused to stop and kept bugging Durney until finally he accepted. 

With Durney finally sponsoring the team, Degele’s mission had been completed, and the club was finally up and running.

“We had informal throw arounds and stuff, it was more of a club.” Durney adds on, the Ultimate Frisbee team was not to the competitiveness it was at, unlike today.

However, Durney realized that there was enough interest to restart the team, and with the support of Tonya Holmes, the director of athletics, it was officially made into a club sport. 

Next year, a senior on the team by the name of Grant Ozaki recommended to join the high school league, and so, the Gibbons Ultimate Frisbee team met the challenge with determination.

The Ultimate Frisbee team has grown exponentially over the last three years at Cardinal Gibbons, starting with a club that had throw arounds periodically to joining the high school league and competing against teams around North Carolina.

Where the Ultimate Frisbee Team is Today 

With around 26 members competing now, the Ultimate Frisbee team has made a full comeback. 

In spite of the growing popularity of the sport with members joining the team each year, many question where this team would practice. With Gibbons holding 27 sports, field space is limited, especially during the fall. This space is needed to hold outside sports such as football, field hockey, soccer and more. 

“Field space is limited, but we’re lucky we have the front quad and we don’t usually have to share with anybody,” Durney says, “That works out well for us.” 

In the 2025 season, practice times are consistent, thanks to weather, and they’re regularly practicing on the front quad.

Nonetheless, finding an open field to compete in becomes a challenge. With no official field at Cardinal Gibbons and many other schools facing the same issue, the question becomes, where will teams play? 

“There’s a company, a nonprofit, that runs those called Triangle Ultimate. It’s a bit challenging,  scheduling everybody, just there’s a lack of space around the area,” Durney said. Usually games are hosted at a park.

Despite the scheduling difficulties, this season marks a milestone. For the first time in our division, the East Developmental Division of Triangle Ultimate, there’s a mini playoff and a championship.

Oct. 30 marks the championship game, with players brimming with excitement for their hard work to finally translate into an important game that can reward them with a medal or trophy. 

Alongside the championship there’s a high schools state tournament on Nov. 15, holding teams from all over North Carolina.

Durney reiterates he’s proud of where the team has gone, the growth it’s gotten in only three years whether it be the team’s size or skills. With new challenges rising, the team is ready to compete.

“I love coaching this team,” Durney said.  “I’d like to win the Fall Brawl this year, I’d like to win our league championship and I’d like to win states.” 

In just three years, Durney has watched the team grow in both numbers and talent, something he says makes him proud. With new challenges ahead, the group feels more prepared than ever to compete.

Remaining Schedule 

Tuesday, Oct 28 TBD — Playoffs Round 2

Thursday, Oct 30 4:30 p.m. — League Championship @ Laurel Hills Park