“Zoom Zoom” Kami Groom was born in Liberty, Mo., to a family far more athletic than me. Growing up, I played just about every sport —except ultimate. Initially, I planned to play basketball and run track in college, but after transferring to Washington University in St. Louis, I stumbled into ultimate during the off-season when a friend convinced me to attend a practice. It actually took me awhile to warm up to the sport, but once I went to my first Nationals, I was hooked.

Since that time, I have traveled around, playing for club teams such as St. Louis RevoLOUtion, St. Louis Thoroughbred, Chicago Nemesis, Whisby Nation (Taiwan), and currently Boston Brute Squad, with whom I have won back-to-back National Championships. I previously represented the U.S. in 2013 at the U-23 World Championships in Toronto and in 2016 at the World Ultimate and Guts Championships in London, winning gold on both occasions.

Previously an ELL teacher, I now work as a paralegal in the immigration section of a large Boston firm. I plan to attend law school in the fall. When I’m not working or playing ultimate, I can be found reading Tolkien in a solitary nook, indulging my love for greasy fast food and trying (but failing) to forget the Spelling Bee Saga of ’99.

Fun Facts about Kami:

• My younger sister, Shea, is a professional soccer player for FC Kansas City.
• I taught English in Taiwan for a year and can speak some Chinese.
• I love odd numbers and hate even numbers. I set my alarm for an odd number; eat an odd number of, say, french fries; always pick an odd number in “pick a number” games, etc.