Boston Brute Squad claimed its second consecutive USA Ultimate Club National Championships over the weekend in San Diego, beating 16 of the best women’s club ultimate frisbee teams in North America.  

Boston Brute Squad took down Washington D.C. Scandal 15-11 to cap off an undefeated post season.

But competing in a national championship nearly 3,000 miles from home comes with challenges. This year, rainy weather forced USAU to postpone last Thursday’s games, condensing the tournament schedule and adding another layer of difficulty for athletes preparing to compete. Ultimate requires explosive sprints, quick changes of direction, sharp mental focus and the endurance to play multiple games over a single weekend. With less time between games, recovery became even more important.

And unlike typical professional athletes in other sports, club ultimate players don't have access to major sponsorships or state-of-the-art recovery facilities. So, how do elite club players manage the physical demands of a cross-country trip, a packed tournament schedule and limited recovery resources? We spoke with Boston Brute Squad player Ximena Montaña to find out how they prepare their bodies and minds to compete at the highest level.

Montaña brings years of experience playing professional ultimate, representing Colombia on the international stage and competing with Boston Brute Squad, where she is now in her second season. 

Travel and Team Connection

Montaña said traveling across the country can be challenging, so the team tries to prioritize rest, hydration, and recovery. They make sure to get enough sleep, move around after long periods of sitting, and give their bodies time to adjust after traveling before intense competition starts. 

Travel also gives Brute Squad an opportunity to spend time together as a team. Having fun off the field and keeping a positive mindset helps them stay connected and ready to compete. 

“We also do fun team activities before the trip to keep each other motivated and on the same wavelength,” Montaña said. “For example, we created different channels on Slack, and one of them was for sharing pictures of ourselves at night, right before going to sleep, just to say goodnight. It was a small but fun way to feel connected as a team before traveling.”

“We created different channels on Slack, and one of them was for sharing pictures of ourselves at night, right before going to sleep, just to say goodnight. It was a small but fun way to feel connected as a team before traveling.”

Ximena Montaña

Fueling During Nationals

Ultimate tournaments can involve multiple games in a single day, with each game lasting up to 105 minutes, including short breaks. This makes it difficult to eat big meals throughout the day. Instead, athletes need to eat small amounts regularly during timeouts, halftime and breaks between games to replenish their energy. Montaña said Brute Squad typically keeps bananas, granola bars, sandwiches, fruit and other easy-to-digest snacks on hand.

“We try to plan ahead and buy snacks so we always have something available during the tournament and between games,” Montaña said. “We focus on carbohydrates for energy, protein for recovery and staying hydrated throughout the day.”

One of Montaña’s teammates received guidance from a sports dietitian on what to eat in the days leading up to Nationals and during the tournament. The dietitian shared tips on carbohydrate loading and encouraged the team to practice these fueling strategies in the weeks before the tournament to learn what worked best for them. She also provided a fueling timeline for tournament days, with suggestions for breakfast, snacks, lunch, and pregame fueling.

“The goal was to make sure we were eating regularly and getting enough carbohydrates throughout the day, rather than waiting until we were hungry or tired,” Montaña said. “And on the day we won, we celebrated with a well-deserved McDonald’s burger!” 

Montaña emphasized that fueling needs vary from person to person, even on the same team. To learn more about finding what works best for you, check out the experts on the VIS platform.

Preparing for the Condensed Schedule

When the tournament schedule shifted by a day, Brute Squad used the extra time for a team preparation day. Since not all players live in Boston, it was an opportunity to get everyone together, build team chemistry and make sure they felt prepared before competing.

“We focused on spending time together, training, testing our throws in the local conditions, getting used to the weather, and clarifying any questions about our system of play,” Montaña said. 

With the condensed tournament schedule, Montaña emphasized that recovery between games and days was even more important than usual. Brute Squad played six games over three days, including three on the first day. The final day brought an especially demanding schedule: the team played its semifinal at 9 a.m. and returned for the championship game at 1:30 p.m. With only about two hours and 45 minutes between games, staying fueled, hydrated and rested was essential.

After three intense days of competition, Boston Brute Squad’s preparation paid off. The team left San Diego with its second straight national championship and its third in four years.  

“For me, as a Colombian, this has been an incredible experience,” Montaña said. “This team opened the door for me to compete at a high level, and I’ve felt so welcomed and supported. They’ve helped me grow as an athlete.”