Paideia Powerhouses Lead USA Ultimate Team to Gold at the World Games
Over the weekend, the US Mixed National team won the Ultimate Frisbee Competition at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China in a thrilling 13-12 come-from-behind victory over rivals Canada! The team was co-coached by High School Assistant Principal and Women' s Ultimate Coach Miranda Knowles ’00 and featured Paideia alumni players, team captain Chris Kocher ’10 and Grant Lindsley ’07.
The World Games is an international multi-sport event for sports and disciplines outside of the Olympic Games. It is a stage for the world’s best athletes in a variety of sports, including Ultimate Frisbee. Similar to the Olympic Games, athletes from around the world face off during multiple days of competition. On Saturday, the US Mixed National team competed in the Gold Medal Match against Canada. It was an exciting match that exemplified the expertise of players and coaches, ending with the US scoring a universe point to win the tournament. Miranda shared, “One of the most special moments of the tournaments was after we won on Saturday night, we came back to the dining hall and all the athletes gave us a standing ovation. Coming from other athletes that means so much. It’s a very special experience.”
As one of the assistant coaches for the US Mixed National team, Miranda shared what an affirming experience it is to coach at the national level and to be recognized for her expertise, especially coaching defense. The team had a very strong defensive run throughout the tournament. Additionally, Miranda felt privileged to coach two Paideia alumni, sharing “With me, Chris and Grant, we have this core basic level of how we were taught to play because all three of us were coached by Michael [Baccarini], and where we came from and why we play is very similar. To have that shared experience is really sweet. It also brings a level of trust among us that is very important and special.”
For Miranda who lived in Shanghai for two years, returning to China for the games in Chengdu reunited her with teammates and players, including athletes who she first coached 13 years ago. During the World Games, Miranda and two other coaches led a women’s frisbee clinic in Chengdu that gathered together 60 women. “When I was living in China there were only 60 women playing Ultimate,” recalled Miranda. “And now, on a random Monday night in Chengdu, we have 60 women at a clinic. It’s really exciting.”
Paideia continues to represent itself at the forefront of the sport, impacting the culture and future of the game. Congratulations to Miranda, Chris, Grant and the entire US Mixed National team on their win!