Western Championship Cup 2021 Preview
Western Championship Quidditch was initially conceptualized in 2014 by Steve DiCarlo when he proposed the idea of an all-West competitive league, but finally came to fruition in 2019 when all-star tournament director Alexia Barnes signed on to help with the project. The two co-commissioners founded the summer league in hopes of it operating in a similar manner to MLQ, where the best players from each West hotspot would work together to represent their locale, building relationships between players of different USQ teams and allowing athletes to learn different styles of play. With time, they hope to turn it into a full summer-long league... but for now, they're thrilled to help give the West an opportunity to get a competitive jumpstart on the USQ season so the region can be prepared to host USQ Cup in Utah next year.
Instead of doing Fast Takes with Fast Break- FBN felt it was best served to learn more about the teams we are covering. We reached out to the WCQ coaches/captains and asked for their input about 3 players to watch, 2 characteristics of the team, and 1 team goal for this weekend. The below answers are direct answers from leadership! If you would like to follow this tournament please follow Face Beat It Twitch stream!
Los Angeles Aftershock
Created with the league in 2019, had a record of 4-1 at the 2019 WQC tournament and are reigning champions. Captained by Tony Rodriguez (Lost Boys) and Lindsey Simpson (Lost Boys).
Three Players to Watch:
Max Portillo — has always been consistently rock solid beater, being able to adjust to a variety of partner’s styles. He had flown under the radar since graduation from BG and should shine on Sunday.
Jess “Sangria” — They’re a player from Toronto playing for their first time in the west. Has a smart and communicative play style and a strong ball handler, being a great support option on offense.
Michael Navarro — Michael is rising UCLA star known for his talents behind hoops, ability to read an offense and quick hands. This will be his first quidditch appearance outside of UCLA.
Two Characteristics of the Team:
Tony Rodriguez is clearly THE player to watch but it’s impossible to watch Aftershock play without watching him. You should expect to see conservative beating paired with aggressive heroball offense with constantly moving wing options from Aftershock this weekend. We know our strengths and what we need to be going up against this weekend.
One Goal for this Weekend:
Our #1 team goal is to have a full roster of jerseys by Sunday. Otherwise, really to go out there and show off the things we’ve been working on and the chemistry we’ve been trying to put together with so many new players after such a long break.
Northern Lights
Created with the league in 2019, had a record of 1-4 at the 2019 WQC tournament and consists of players in the US Pacific Northwest and Western Cananda. Captained by Drew Sutorius (RC Raptors) and Soleil Heaney (Edmonton Aurors).
Three Players to Watch:
Dani Clarke & David Saltzman- Super experienced beaters who have a lot of experience playing against different beaters from across the west. Understand how to control the pace of a game and both have great athleticism.
Wyatt Verchere- Team Canada West starting keeper and 2019 WCQ leading scorer. Flies under the radar being from West Can, increasingly strong seeker.
Two Characteristics of the Team:
Team is smaller, older, and didn’t get to practice together due to covid restrictions-will rely on individual experience and likely try to control the pace of games to frustrate the larger and younger teams.
One Goal for this Weekend:
Although the didn’t team practice together this community knows each other well. These are some of the most committed players from the area, so have all played in the same tournaments with and against each other for years.
Orange County Riptide
Created with the league in 2019, had a record of 3-2 at the 2019 WQC tournament. Captained by Tony Gomez (UCI) and Miguel Villa (Lost Boys).
Three Players to Watch:
Daniel Belton: Expect Daniel to be a threat on offense with his unstoppable drives and an even bigger threat on defense with his huge hits! Without a doubt, expect him to be one of WQC lead scorers!
Jesse Stephens: Jesse is a force to be reckoned with, don't let his size fool you, he can and will dunk over any defense that stands before him. He’s quick, he’s strong and he’s fearless and I’d bet my last dollar he’ll be on those scoring leader boards next to Daniel.
Kobe Kendall: Everyone knows Kobe is the king of the pitch when it comes to beating, but don’t count him out as a seeker! Not only does this future United States National Team member dominate on the pitch with a bludger, but expect his seeker game to be just as good, if not better!
Two Characteristics of the Team:
Aggressive beaters and hard hitters!
One Goal for this Weekend:
Bring home the trophy!
San Fransisco Fog
Created with the league in 2019, had a record of 1-3 at the 2019 WQC tournament. Captained by Jacob Ellis (Dobbys) and Elijah Franklin (SJSU).
Three Players to Watch:
So for the three people to look out for I'd say the first person would be Brittany Masangkay because on her presence next to the hoops and being such a reliable option and having solid hands. The next person that i would recommend is Gabe Garcia because he's improved so much at being a ball carrier and has such a strong driver and has such a good set of leadership skills that can help bring the best out of a line. Finally the last person i would like to shoutout is Dara Gaeuman because of her off ball movement and her passing ability.
Two Characteristics of the Team:
For the two characteristics of the team i would say our off ball movement and Baylito defense.
One Goal for this Weekend:
One team goal for this tournament is just to make the best decisions possible. It's our first time playing competitive quidditch in a year so just being able to make the best decision possible is all we can hope for.
Utah Avalanche
The newest expansion from WCQ formed mainly of Utah State and University of Utah players and alum. Captained by Cameron VomBaur (USQC) and Porter Birchum (UoU)
Three Players to Watch:
Anthony Snapp was the Western Collegiate Conference's Most Improved Player in 2019, his first full season of beating. While he impressed mightily throughout the season (including a standout performance in the 2019 WRC final against Cal), his best moments have come against fellow college teams, and they also largely came alongside longtime former USQC beating partner Dru Smith. His ability to force quaffle and bludger turnovers, his skill in dodging while throwing, and his knack for crafty snitch-on-pitch play will all be put to the test against WCQ's deeply experienced elite club beaters.
With the pre-pandemic lull of the Utah club team scene, it's been a while since some players competed on a prominent stage, and chaser Katie Williams is one to remember. Her in-your-jersey defense and quick hands in passing lanes stall opposing offenses' off-ball weapons and force turnovers. With ball in hand, she's comfortable fending off defensive chasers and finishing through contact, making her adept at the top of the offense or behind hoops. With a greatly thinned chasing corps, Avalanche will be leaning on her skills in major minutes through the weekend.
After debuting with Crimson Elite in 2016, keeper Luke Steining played most recently with the University of Utah, where he served as the primary scorer and distributor for the program's first trip to US Quidditch Cup. His tall, lanky frame can be deceptive: he tackles with the force of bulkier player, and he makes silky-smooth cuts in fast break sprints like a smaller player. Because he's so keen to dish out assists to wing chasers, his pump fakes are lethal, instantly giving him his pick of hoops to score through. In his first action back since a knee injury at WRC 2020, he'll be be given plenty of opportunity to continue to impress.
Two Characteristics of the Team:
Team Tendencies Borrowing from Utah State's playbook, chasers may look to set screens or run handoffs to better convert no-bludger opportunities on offense. After a year and a half of rust, and with it's been tough to suss out much of a depth chart. Especially without any consideration for speed on a brooms-up runup, Avalanche are going to be flexible in their starting lineups., and coach Cameron VomBaur will look to go to the hot hand as the team tries to find an identity as the league's newcomer.
One Goal for this Weekend:
From the beginning, the purpose of 2021 Avalanche has been to spark quidditch interest in Utah leading up to a 2021-22 USQ season with its national championship in Salt Lake City. And nothing makes people remember they love quidditch like hyping up on the sideline, following the gameplan, and scoring some upsets.
