COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 7, 2021) -- Oklahoma Christian Ultimate player Samuel Roberts is one of 100 players invited this week to try out for USA Ultimate's under-20 national men's team. 
 
Roberts, a freshman from Willington, Conn., will be among 50 players participating in a tryout at a to-be-determined site in California on Feb. 5-6. A similar tryout will be held at a to-be-determined site on the East Coast. The tryouts will be run by the U-20 team coaches, the Manager of Youth Competition and National Teams for USA Ultimate and other counselors. 
 
Up to 24 players will be chosen to represent the U.S. in the under-20 division of the World Flying Disc Federation's World Junior Ultimate Championships, which are set for Aug. 6-13 in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic. The U.S. roster is expected to be announced sometime in February or March. 
 
The U.S. has dominated the bi-annual event since it first was held in 1988, winning eight gold, two silver and four bronze medals. The 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
Roberts helped OC's club team – ranked third nationally – win USA Ultimate's collegiate Division III South Central Regional last month in Tulsa, Okla. That qualified the Eagles for the Division III College Championship tournament, to be played Dec. 17-20 at Silverlakes Sports Complex in Norco, Calif. 
 
"I'm very proud of Sammy," OC coach Garrett Taylor said. "His throwing ability will give him a good shot at the tryouts and Team USA needs someone that can throw it to the athletic playmakers, especially at the under-20 level. Sammy fits that role perfectly and I think the Team USA coaches will like what they see out of him."