The Breeze signed five more players to the 2018 roster, all five of whom return to the team from last season:
Austin Bartenstein- Handler
Nate Castine- Hybrid
David Cranston- Cutter
Rowan McDonnell- Cutter
Eric Miner- Hybrid
Opening Night is April 7! 2018 Breeze Schedule
Bartenstein returns to the Breeze for his second season after his 15-assist rookie season in 2017. He played with the DC Current of the MLU in 2016 before coming over the Breeze. Bartenstein, a University of Mary Washington graduate, also brings international experience to this season’s squad after he played club ultimate for Whisby Nation in Taiwan. Bartenstein appeared in both postseason games for the Breeze in 2017, playing 34 points and tallying one goal. Bartenstein is an avid cook and hiker when not playing ultimate.
McDonnell returns to DC for his third season in the AUDL, all with the Breeze. He played 286 points for the team last season while dishing out 29 assists. McDonnell also had 19 goals and 19 blocks last season. He is currently the coach of American University’s women’s ultimate team, the “Dirty Ladies” and founded the American Ultimate Academy, a new organization focused on developing youth talent in the DC area.
“I look forward to competing for the Eastern Conference Title” said McDonnell. The Connecticut native has been very productive the past two seasons for the Breeze, following a strong rookie year in which he tallied 21 goals and 24 assists.
Cranston also enters his third year with the Breeze in 2018. He accounted for 15 goals and 8 assists during his rookie AUDL year in 2016 after playing three years for the MLU’s DC Current. Last season, Cranston tallied six goals and 10 assists.
“[I am] excited to play another year with the Breeze,” said Cranston. “[I am] looking forward to helping the Breeze develop young talent in the area.”
Miner enters his second season with the Breeze this year. Last season, Miner accounted for eight goals and two assists in his seven appearances while taking the field for 113 total points during the 2017 season. Miner played for the DC Current for four seasons before joining the Breeze.
Castine returns to the Breeze for his third season. He played in 129 points in six games during his rookie season in 2016. Castine was slowed by injury in 2017, but managed to appear in four games and tally three goals and five assists. A Seattle native, Castine now serves as a physical therapist in the DC area.
This second wave of signings brought back five key players from last season’s playoff run. The Breeze look to get back to the playoffs again this season and hopefully make it through to Championship Weekend for the first time in 2018.
Story By Noah Fleischman