Whether you casually throw a Frisbee around on a perfect summer day or you’ve relentlessly competed in Ultimate Frisbee, everyone can be proud of the UR club team we call the Spidermonkeys.

They took home the Division III College Championship recently after besting Davidson in the all-Atlantic Coast final. And it wasn’t an easy win!

“We made a bad habit of getting broken to start the games all weekend,” Richmond coach Matt Graves told Ultiworld. “It was something that motivated and pushed us, though.”

Richmond’s first Ultimate Frisbee title is only part of the reason we’re soaring through the air. UR senior Henry Babcock also won the inaugural Donovan Award for his athletic dominance, skill, leadership, and spirit of the game. He’s no stranger to top honors. Last year, he took home the Atlantic Coast D-III Regional Player of the Year.

“This is the first year with the award, and it's about being more than a great player but about being a great leader who advances the sport and the spirit of the game,” said teammate Brenden Carol, ’17.

Ultiworld, a site that covers the sport of Ultimate Frisbee, wrote about Babcock’s role in helping transform UR’s team from one that had never qualified for a national championship to one that wins them.

“He is one of the rare players who can completely change the way a program is run, and he has taken it to tremendous heights. … Towards his teammates, he is an encouraging and empowering leader, bringing out the best in those around him. Henry has taught the team to compete at the highest level, through relentless work toward the program.”

Go, Spiders!