Both 17-year-old Caitlind Lusty and 19-year-old Shaw Dungate of Barrie have something in common.

Blessed with agility and speed, the pair now not only has a national stage to showcase these skills, but an international one as well.

Having been named to their respective Canadian teams, the pair has qualified for a week of grueling international competition in a sport many have never heard of.

The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) is hosting the 2008 World Ultimate & Guts Championships in Vancouver, and while it used to be a sport reserved for free-loving hippies in the ’60s, Ultimate has since come of age.

“It’s like a hockey team,” said Dungate, who travelled to the United States with the Carleton University team this year to face some formidable competition. “They train all out and they train all year round.”

Ultimate is played on a grass field with end zones similar to those used in American football. Teams advance the disc by passing it to one another, with points scored when the disc is caught in the end zone.

Traveling with the Carleton team is what Dungate believes gave him the leg up when attending the Junior Open National tryouts in Ottawa. Tryouts were also held in Vancouver and Winnipeg, with 26 athletes being selected for the final team. In Ottawa alone, 60 athletes attended.  

“It was pretty intense,” said Dungate, adding that the competition was very quick and very athletic.

Twelve of the players come from Vancouver – the Canadian mecca of Ultimate Frisbee – and while Dungate says he still has things to learn, he held his own.

 “It will be a very strong team,” he said, “with a chance of gold, but I felt like I was keeping up.”

Traditionally Canada and the U.S. have faced off for the championship, but this year in the open division, the field is strong, with Japan and Colombia expected to field competitive teams.

Lusty had a different experience at the tryouts for the Junior Women’s team.

Only able to make one of two tryouts due to a Skills Canada competition with school, she managed to wow the selection committee.

“Her agility (is what makes her so strong),” said Lusty’s Ultimate coach at Barrie North, Pete Bowman, “Her muscles fire so fast and she reacts instinctively.”

He also added that it makes her an unbelievable defensive threat, and that her catching ability is ridiculous.

“She catches stuff she shouldn’t be able to.”

Lusty plans to make another outstanding catch – of the gold medal.

“We have a good shot,” she said, “But it will be tough.”

To prepare herself, she’s been training with the Barrie men’s competitive team on Wednesday nights.

“It enhances my ability more,” she said, “My fitness has gone up a lot.”

Dungate also attended Barrie North and he brings similar talents to the field.

“His biggest threat is speed,” said Bowman. “He’s a sleeper. You don’t see it when he’s walking, but within a stride or two, he’s at full speed.”

Dungate agrees, “I love the run,” he said, “Losing my man is my forte.”

Ultimate is “100-per-cent physical” according to Lusty, but it also requires mental toughness.

 “The points can be intense and long,” said Bowman, “Players have to have the ability to keep digging deeper. Even when you’re winded you still have to close the gap on defense.”

Both athletes credit the Barrie North team and specifically Bowman, who they refer to as an Ultimate fanatic, with providing them with the foundation to get them where they are today.

“It’s because of Pete (Bowman),” said Lusty, when asked about the strength of a North team that won the 2008 OFSAA championship. “We’re out there to play Ultimate and have fun and when we win, we like that.”