6 August 2023 – HoDown ThrowDown has been a beloved party tournament of Mixed Ultimate Teams across the southeast for the last 25 years. This tournament has morphed from a multi-location potluck style event to a camp-style hootenanny nestled in the foothills of Black Mountain, NC. Knoxville Ultimate members were there in force this weekend represented across three teams; the Smoky City Shooters led by Zach Carter, the World’s Grapest Discus Players (or Toga Party) led by Mitch Smith and Johnston ‘Silky’ Hamilton, and the Cocaine Cutters led by Marcus Patton and Chris Epps.
All of the teams had a great time throwing down, but two teams walked away with trophies after a weekend of fun in the sun. Cocaine Cutters took home first place overall while WGDP (Toga Party) took home the 2023 Best Spirit Trophy. A special thank you to the hosts of the event, Asheville Ultimate, for putting on a phenomenal tournament filled with fun, sunshine, pickles, and Ultimate!
Smoky City Shooters
Top Row: “Dirty” Dan Caplan, Matt Sui, Sean James, Nathan Kenner, Lawson Ranspurgh, Paul Summers, Baron West, Cody Brady, Evan Alexander, Gabe Roberts
Bottom Row: Abbey Alexander, Ashley West, Bethany Bailey, Micah Roberts, Emma “Robby” Patterson, Kaleigh Peavey
World’s Grapest Discus Huckers (Toga Party)
2023 Best Spirit Winners
Top Row: Mitch Smith, Joey “Wish.com Ed Sheeran” Epperson, James Huner, Luke “Bucky” Buckner, Rachel Sproles, Austin Reynolds, Haleigh McDougal, Johnston “Silky” Hamilton, Alan Barker, Lourdes “Blandi” Blandino, Ben Nanny, Brad Smith, Jon Layne
Bottom Row: Lane Shuler, Kensie Rogowski, Brandon Clackum, Kah Choong, Alyssa Kimbrell, Michelle Van Guilder, Kevin “Zeus” Zackiwicz, Becca Fuller, Betsy Sonewald
Cocaine Cutters
2023 First Place Winners
