Just imagine the heights Preston Schwendt could have achieved in ultimate frisbee at Wayland High School had he committed to the sport full-time for more than just his senior year.
As it was, he was picked for the Boston Ultimate Disc Alliance (BUDA) Division 2 All-Star game (a first for a Warriors player) that was played June 20 at Hormel Stadium in Medford.
The game was played before a home game of the Boston Glory, the area’s professional ultimate team (and defending league champions) against the Philadelphia Phoenix. Three Glory team members — Ben Sadok, Seth Fisher-Olvera and Roan Dunkerley — coached the BUDA teams. Wayland’s ultimate frisbee team currently plays at the club level and hopes to move to varsity status down the road.
Schwendt’s ascension in a short amount of time didn’t shock his coaches. “Sometimes as a coach you’re surprised how fast players improve,” said Terry Wong, an assistant coach since the first team in 2018 whose three children, Devin, Tali, and Liam, tossed the disc for the Warriors. “But it wasn’t surprising [with Preston] once he committed full-time. I think he had a long-term goal to play through high school and into college, and he may be able to do that.”
Coach Scott Parseghian noted that Schwendt deserved the nomination for more than just his statistics.
“Having Preston with the team every day made a tremendous difference,” he said. “His leadership, work ethic, and passion for the game helped our younger players develop both on and off the field. More importantly, he helped establish the culture and foundation that has positioned Wayland ultimate for continued success.”
Schwendt entered WHS as a soccer and lacrosse player. During his sophomore year, his friend Ori Kohl asked if he wanted to join him at an ultimate practice. He liked it, but not enough to commit full-time. The following year, he dropped soccer and played ultimate in the fall while splitting the spring between lacrosse and ultimate. He noted that the summer before his junior year he had a frisbee in his hand quite a bit during a camp in New Hampshire.
“Frisbee felt really natural to me,” Schwendt said. “I grew up playing a lot of soccer and [frisbee] felt like a combination of football and soccer. I fell out of love with soccer. It felt like more of a job when I was in high school. But frisbee was fun. Sports, to me, should be about fun more than work, so I gravitated toward frisbee and really enjoy it.”
Schwendt, who hopes to continue playing on the University of Oregon club team, stays in game shape playing pickup games with friends and with the Boston Ultimate Disc Alliance summer league.
“It’s crazy that without [Ori] inviting me, I would never have joined ultimate,” he said. “I would never have found the sport. I’m certainly glad he introduced me and forced me to go to practice. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”
The Wayland team got started in 2018 when seniors Tyler Brient and Matthew Clayton asked Parseghian if he would be the new ultimate frisbee club advisor. It was a smart move since he didn’t coach in the spring — he’s the head football coach and an assistant wrestling coach – and he was teaching the sport in his physical education classes.
“I was excited to help get the program off the ground,” Parseghian said. “What started as simply helping two motivated students has turned into something much bigger. Eight years later, I’m still coaching the team, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch the program grow and provide another opportunity for students to compete, build friendships, and represent Wayland.”
Parseghian added that with Wong’s time commitment and experience and Schwendt’s accomplishments, the future of the program is bright. About a dozen kids showed up for each of the 10 games played in the fall. It was a solid number for games that field seven players at a time.
“As we look ahead, the goal is for Wayland High School ultimate to become a varsity sport next year,” Parseghian said. “With a talented and dedicated group of young players returning, Preston’s impact will be felt for years to come, and he will always be remembered as one of the pioneers who helped build the program.
“I also have to recognize Terry Wong, a Wayland alumnus who lives in town and has been instrumental since day one. Terry brought a wealth of ultimate knowledge to the program and joined me during that first season,” Parseghian added.
