Ultimate.

The name of the frisbee game conjures up images of the majestic, the grand and the noble.

But for the members of the Harvard ultimate frisbee team, the sport certainly isn't grand or majestic. The team practices in anonymity and competes without the fanfare of more publicized sports.

"It's a shame that more people don't come watch, because ultimate is so fast-paced and exciting," freshman team member Alex Berzofsky says.

Despite the lack of university support beyond the club sport status, the players enjoy the intensity of competition while maintaining a good deal of independence.

"Ultimate's great because it has a loose, free atmosphere. There are no coaches, so we learn how to play and to win on our own," Co-Captain Daryl Norcott says.

And while the Harvard frisbee might not enjoy the Varsity status of big-name college sports like football or basketball, it does possess an impressive record.

Over the last four years, the Crimson has been one of the top four teams in the Northeast.

Last year's squad came within two points of a treasured berth to the Collegiate Ultimate Frisbee National Championship, losing a heartbreaker to Wesleyan in the regional tournament.

Six key players graduated from last year's talented squad, leaving a lot of gaps in Harvard's 1992-93 team.

"We have maybe five people returning from last year, which means that some people are playing unfamiliar positions," Norcott says.

The ultimate team plays a year-round schedule, but "official" competition against Ivy League teams does not come until spring.

The autumn schedule holds a bevy of warmup contests against area college and club teams.

Norcott says that there is no secret ingrededin to a good utlimate player: "Disc skill, intensity and good attitude."

Strategy also plays a key role in the game.