01.12.05  This will be the first of a series of articles I am going to write on the City Championship 2005 events I run or attend, from either the player’s chair or the judge’s chair.

 

This little ditty is on the St. Louis City Championship held on January 8th, 2005 at the Gathering Ground in St. Louis, Missouri.

 

Over 60 participants showed up, with players from Chicago, Illinois, Memphis, Tennessee, Collinville, Illinois, Springfield, Missouri and a LOT from the St. Louis region.  These were definitely some of the BEST players in the Midwest, with there being enough previous winners in the field, to easily fill a top 16 tourney. 

 

The clashes were great throughout the day…some of which I will get into later….

 

And the winners were….ironically all from St. Louis, Missouri…

 

10-  Zakary K. (Dark Dragonite/Dark Electrode)  over Taylor M. (TN top 4 worlds)
11-14   Jake Shp. (Zadpos EX) over Jessica L. (Chicago, IL)
15+  Colin Moll (Dark Amphy/Xatu) over Jimmy Ballard (Chicago, IL)

 

What impressed me about this event was the elite competition….several players who are always expected to make the cuts….fell short….the winners were all true champions, and all of the finals players, really earned their keep on this day….

 

This may very well have been a coming out party for several players in several age divisions….who impressed throughout the day…

 

10-…Heathercross…Heather made her first top 4 ever.  She started with the draw of Taylor M. in round 1, and beat her!  This was a sign of things to come this day, as if it were not for a gym in play, she also would have knocked Zakary K.  out in the swiss rounds.  Heather was playing a Machamp deck, and playing it well.  With a little more practice, and seasoning, she could be a force in the 10- division over the coming year, joining Andrew K., James B., Adam R. and Anna S. as players to watch from this region.
Honorable Mention - Adam R…top 4 in this elite field is quite an accomplishment.

 

11-14...Jessica L.  The only player in 10- or 11-14 to go undefeated through the swiss rounds.  She lost to Jake S. in the top 4, and should be proud of her 3rd place finish.  This young lady impressed me all day long as not only an elite player, but also as a great competitor and person.  She will be a player to watch out of the upper Midwest this year.
Honorable Mention - Tino V., a relatively unknown (outside of Memphis) power player who made T4.

 

15+  Richard L.  Not news to anyone from the Chicago region.  I have known Mr. L. for some time through my appearance in tourneys in Chicago, and his play and promotion of the play of his children.  Another player to watch this season…could be a great father-daughter team.  Top 4 in this field…wow.
Honorable Mention - Ben D., relatively unknown outside of St. Louis - but will not be for long if he keeps up this type of play.  Top4.

 

How do you know a tourney was truly played by the best…just look at the top 4 and where they came from…

 

10-   1st, 3rd- 4th all ST. Louis, 2nd Memphis, TN
11-14     1st St. Louis, 2nd Memphis, TN, 3rd Chicago, IL, 4th Memphis, TN
15+ 1st St. Louis, 2nd Chicago, IL, 3rd Chicago, IL, 4th St. Louis

 

Half of the finalists were all from St. Louis, Half were from out of the area, equally split between Memphis, TN and Chicago IL (3 finalists from each region).

 

My offer to pay States hotel fees for a out-of-town winner went unfulfilled, but just barely.

 

Talk to you next week after Crystal Lake, where I will be a player!!!

 

Vince a/k/a Meganium45