Meet Mars Bau (they/them), whose frisbee name is Viper. A third-year at UC San Diego, Mars began playing ultimate with the university’s Dragon Coalition. Though they’ve only been playing for two years, Mars brings 13 years of soccer as a strong foundation for the sport.

Mars has competed at the club level with San Diego Wildfire and San Francisco Nightlock, and joined Super Bloom in 2025. A molecular and cell biology major, Mars chose jersey number 36 for math-y reasons: it’s both a perfect square and a triangular number (36 = 6²; for more on triangular numbers, check this out).

I think I knew this was my sport the first time I caught a huck in the endzone. I played soccer for thirteen years and planned to continue through college, but COVID disrupted my recruitment process. At UC San Diego, I tried out for club soccer but got cut. My suitemate, though, was trying out for frisbee and told me to come since it was similar. I really fell in love with it that first day. For me, frisbee carries a degree of adrenaline I didn't experience even in soccer—every catch and every D is exciting. I'm also a sprinter. I love to run and frisbee maximizes that strength to the fullest. Even as a rookie, I felt like a deep threat and the rush of scoring? Unmatched. 

I chose Super Bloom for the people and the competition. A lot of the players are my college coaches or teammates, so I felt really comfortable transitioning onto the team. I also adore the coaching staff, especially Amy. She makes me feel seen as a player and a person, and I think that's contributed to the amazing culture on Super Bloom. I've always felt supported, especially as a rookie, by both my coaches and teammates. I also chose to play because of the high-level competition. It was great as a new player to get that experience and be constantly pushed to improve. 

I don't know to be honest. Probably that someone just did something insane and I'd better lock in real fast or start cheering too. (I think I'm conditioned to take a lot of cues from people on the sideline 💀). 

I've only played pro for a year so there haven't been a whole lot. My favorite is probably the first home game when a bunch of college teammates came with signs. No one supports you like a college frisbee team does.

I feel unstoppable when I get a run-through D in the attacking third.

I do a lot of different things and I think it helps to be able to switch off from a student, to an athlete, to a musician, etc. It makes everything seem less life-endingly critical and puts into perspective why I choose the things I do. Having people who stand separate from those things though, like my parents or a good friend, is what grounds me the most. It's nice to be able to rant without consequence.

Huck. A long pass downfield (typically more than 30 yards)

Run-through D. a defensive technique where a defender successfully intercepts or knocks down a disc by running through the space of the intended receiver, forcing the offense to stop while the defender continues their movement

▶ California burrito or avocado toast?: Avocado toast

▶ In-N-Out, or Raising Canes? In-N-Out

▶ Better Buzz or Starbucks? Better Buzz

▶ Sweats or Leggings: Sweats

▶ OB or  PB:  I have little experience or opinion

▶ Beach Day or a Hike? Hike to the beach!

I've never thought about being sponsored, but I would say either New Balance or some kind of field complex so we can have reliable (and lit) practice space.

Not that I can think of? I've had a lot of LMNT through frisbee packages though. 

I'm going to be on a paper for my pancreatic cancer research lab :).

Honestly? Kpop LOL. Or anime. Even though I'm an athlete, I'm not big on watching sports (other than frisbee, which I really only started this past year) so fandom is much more closely tied to other mediums for me. But I think they're similar in bringing people together and as a fan, feeling that amplified excitement, joy, or support for a team.