Senior Grady Richman has spent years building his ultimate frisbee skills through the Midtown Gauntlet, club teams and more. This spring, that work led to a milestone no Gauntlet player has reached before: earning a spot on the Atlanta Hustle, the city’s professional ultimate team.

Richman said his introduction to the sport came long before high school.

“The first time I ever threw a frisbee was with my uncle, who used to play professionally,” Richman said. “I really started playing on an organized team in sixth grade at Inman, and ever since then, I’ve just stuck with it and played whatever team opportunity I could.”

Senior Eric Snell has played with Richman since eighth grade. Snell said Richman’s early start is evident in the way he approaches the game.

“You can’t find anybody his age who can compete with him,” Snell said. “He’s always been ahead of the curve.”

His path to the Hustle began last summer when he practiced with a men’s club team that included several Hustle players.

“I was a practice player on a men’s club team, which isn’t the same as [playing] professional, but it’s a lot of the same players,” Richman said. “They told me I should come try out for the Hustle, and some of the coaches already knew me from the summer.”

Richman’s mom, Jennifer Richman, was impressed with Richman’s independence with researching and trying out for the Hustle.

“It’s been his own undertaking, and he’s researched which men’s clubs teams to try out for and to get better,” Jennifer Richman said. “He has taken the time to do that; he took initiative and signed up and went and tried out.”

Snell said the opportunity made sense because of his valuable skills.

“He’s the cornerstone of our team,” Snell said. “Everything goes through him. He plays offense and defense. He pretty much does most of it.”

Richman performed well at open tryouts and again at the closed sessions that followed. Still, he said he didn’t expect the final outcome.

“My initial reaction was shock,” Richman said. “I thought I played well at tryouts, but I didn’t think I was going to make the team. I told my parents right away, and they were just as surprised.”

Jennifer Richman said his love of the sport pushed him throughout the years, allowing an opportunity like this to surface.

“I would say his love of the sport makes him feel like it’s not just work for him,” Jennifer Richman said. “He just loves playing, so he literally plays whenever he can, and it’s all driven by him, not by his parents, at all.”

Joining a professional team as a high schooler is rare, and Richman said he knows the challenge ahead will be unlike anything he has ever experienced.

“It’s going to be a really good experience because you don’t get to interact with adults who are also your peers a lot in high school,” Richman said. “But it’s also going to be very tough. I’m three or four years younger than the next youngest player. It’ll be a good learning moment.”

Snell said Richman’s maturity within the game will help him adjust to a more competitive environment.

“He keeps his calm really well,” Snell said. “He leads by example, and he never gets angry or yells. That’s going to help him a lot at the next level.”

Richman credits his development to consistent practice, supportive teammates and his family.

“A lot of practice and a good support system helped me get here,” Richman said. “My parents have always supported me, and having friends willing to throw with me has helped me get better.”

Jennifer Richman said his mentality and drive have shaped him on and off the field.

“It’s been really fun, [watching him improve],” Jennifer Richman said. “I am filled with pride and he has this goldfish mentality where he literally doesn’t let mistakes bother him. He doesn’t get in his head about it, and he’s always been super calm and patient. Watching him grow into himself and the player he wanted to be has been really exciting as a parent to see that.”

Richman said playing at Midtown with the Gauntlet shaped him into a versatile player along with his leadership role on the team evolving.

“Playing at Midtown has helped me develop all parts of my game,” Richman said. “I’ve had to do a lot of different things here, so I’m not one-dimensional. As a freshman, I didn’t have a super big role. But gradually, I’ve evolved into one of the main handlers or throwers, like a quarterback.”

Snell said that growth has been immense.

“He’s gotten smarter; he’s stepped into a leadership role, and he’s improved in every aspect,” Snell said. “It’s really impressive.”

Snell said the team wasn’t shocked, at all. He said the team has taken pride in Richman’s accomplishment.

“We were all proud of him,” Snell said. “He had to move up a stage. There’s nobody left at the high school level who can really challenge him.”

Richman said he hopes younger players see his journey as proof that hard work pays off.

“I hope they realize the sky’s the limit,” Richman said. “I was in the same position they were four years ago. If they use their opportunities, they can be as good or better than I am.”

Looking ahead, Richman said his goal for his first professional season is simple.

“I just want to get better and help wherever I can,” Richman said. “I want to utilize the opportunity and not take anything for granted.”