Oak Bay star makes Ultimate National Team

A first-year Commerce student at UVIC has just received notice that he made the U-20 Ultimate National Team and will be competing in the 2018 WFDF World Junior Ultimate Championships.

For the uninitiated, Ultimate is growing sport that kind of resembles flag football with frisbees.

Justin Pettenuzzo, one of only two players chosen from B.C., started playing in the summer of 2015, after his parents introduced him to the sport. His father Dave had actually met his mother Tassy through connections with the sport and both are former World and National Champions.

“My parents got me into the sport the summer after grade 10 and I immediately loved it,” said Justin Pettenuzzo.

Pettenuzzo will compete in tournaments in Vancouver and Ottawa in advance of competing at the World Championships.

“It felt unbelievable when I found I made the national team,” said Pettenuzzo.

Pettenuzzo played with Oak Bay High last year competing well at Provincials. He then made the North Vancouver Bonfire Club which competed in Juniors division at Nationals in Ottawa where they finished 6th.

“I love the type of plays you get to make, like laying out to catch a pass or get a block. I had never had that type of playmaking before in other sports I had played,” said Pettenuzzo.

He has received great support from his Vikes captains and teammates and the broader Victoria Ultimate Community.

“I am really looking forward to worlds with Team Canada but I am also really excited for trying to qualify for Nationals with the UVic Vikes team this season,” said Pettenuzzo.

The 2018 WJUC will take place in Waterloo, Canada, from Aug. 18 to 25, 2018.