80 in 80: Boise State

As part of our efforts to preview all 80 teams competing in USQ World Cup 8, the Quidditch Post is chatting with representatives from each team. Today we spoke with Kym Couch, coach of the Boise State Abraxans.

Photo by Caroline Pitt

Quidditch Post: The Boise State Abraxans are the first ever Northwest Regional Champions. What does that mean to you and to the team?

Kym: It means so much to all of us. This team has worked so hard to earn that spot and it is well-deserved. The leadership of our captains as well as our on-pitch leaders has been amazing all around; we have really come together strong and I can't wait for the experience, knowledge, and (hopefully) wins we'll have at World Cup. To me, it is just beyond amazing. I have been in both this region and on this team as long as they have existed, and I am so proud of both of them.

QP: Aside from yourself who exists in more of an administrative role, the first name anyone thinks of with Boise State Abraxans is Stew Driflot. Can you talk about what he brings to the team?

Kym: Stew has always been the most known name on our team and he definitely deserves that. He has stepped out of his chasing role recently and instead has taken over as beater captain, and it really suits him. His captaining has really pushed our beaters into a force to be reckoned with, and his beating is brutal. He is, of course, also still our primary seeker.

QP: How about some lesser known names?

Kym: Someone who isn't talked about a lot and really should be is chaser Bryan Bixler. He barely subbed out most of the day (at the regional championship) and made a lot of our goals for us. He also had some beautiful tackles. Another player who I don't hear nearly enough about is our keeper, Joel Johnson. He also barely subbed and is always a great on-pitch leader and high scorer on our team.

Our beater who doesn't get enough recognition is Jessie Gibson. She is our starting female beater and really shone this weekend. Stew and her are a great pair.

QP: This is your first World Cup; what do you hope the team takes away?

Kym: I think that World Cup will be a great experience for us to see where other regions are competitively so we can learn and test our ability to adjust to different strategies. We have played some amazing West teams and a few Colorado Southwest teams, but those have been our only competitive games outside of our region. These experiences are exactly what we need to build our region competitively and bring our team to the top.

The only thing to worry about now is getting the funds.

QP: How would you describe Boise's style of play?

Kym: Our offense is built on physicality and calculated passes. The chasers use their passing options to keep opponents guessing and unsure of where the shot will be coming from to ensure that the defense is divided. A divide and conquer, you might say.

QP: Any teams in particular that you hope to face at World Cup?

Kym: Our best friend team, Crimson Elite, would be a really exciting game and I would love to see how our new strategy and players match up with them now. We'll be meeting them unofficially in two weeks at our fantasy tournament, Tree City, but I'd love to see what their full team can do at World Cup.