NSC 2008 Division 1 Player Roster: Detailed, By Rating

Photo

Name

Rating

Home

Nigel Richards

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 2025

Record: 2nd (2002), 3rd (2004), 7th (2005)

Home: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1997 NZ NSC; 1999 NZ Masters

Pakorn Nemitrmansuk

32, Architect

Rating: 1978

Record: 97th (1992), 31st (1994), 57th (2002), 7th (2004), 25th (2005), 3rd (2006)

Home: Bangkok, Thailand

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1992 2003 Thailand Champion; (2nd) 2003, (2nd) 2005 WSC

Hobbies: soccer

David Gibson

57, College Math Instructor

Rating: 1955

Record: 9th (1989), 5th (1992), 1st (1994), 46th (2002), 2nd (2004)

Home: Spartanburg, SC

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1994 NSC; 2002-12 Orlando, FL; 2003-08 All-Stars Championship; 2004-12 Kissimmee, FL; 2005-03 Charlotte, NC

Hobbies: Music, Golf

Brian Cappelletto

Age withheld, Options Trader

Rating: 1953

Record: 5th (1987), 15th (1988), 42nd (1989), 10th (1990), 3rd (1992), 4th (1996), 1st (1998), 2nd (2000), 4th (2002), 5th (2004), 11th (2005), 6th (2006)

Home: Chicago, IL

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1998 NSC; 2001 WSC; 1997, 2004 Boston Premier; 1999, 2002, 2003 Reno

Hobbies: golf, impersonations, fantasy baseball

Matt Graham

42, Writer

Rating: 1944

Record: 114th (1992), 57th (1994), 22nd (1996), 65th (1998), 25th (2000), 55th (2002), 37th (2004), 18th (2005)

Home: New York, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: (2nd) 1997 WSC; 2002-05, 2003-05 Stamford, CT; 2003-06, 2005-01 Atlantic City, NJ;2004-09 Parsippany, NJ; 2005-01 Oshawa, ON

Hobbies: clabbers

Panupol Sujjayakorn

23, Business Man

Rating: 1931

Record: 9th (2002), 23rd (2004), 2nd (2005), 24th (2006)

Home: Bangkok, LA, Thailand

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2002 Thailand Match Play Champion, 2003 World Champion

Hobbies: Soccer, Sudoku

Joey Mallick

28, Scan-man

Rating: 1924

Record: 28th (1998), 21st (2000), 17th (2002), 30th (2004), 15th (2005), 13th (2006)

Home: Cape Elizabeth, ME

Awards and Tournament Wins: Yes, but not many; 2004-10 Cape Cod, MA; 2005-01 Reno, NV

Hobbies: Internet surfing, old video games, sudoku

Dave Wiegand

34, Mortgage Underwriter

Rating: 1918

Record: 2nd (1994), 26th (1996), 14th (1998), 3rd (2000), 6th (2002), 86th (2004), 1st (2005), 47th (2006)

Home: Portland, OR

Awards and Tournament Wins: (9th) 2001 WSC; (2nd) 1994 (3rd) 2000 (6th) 2002 NSC (1st) 2005 NSC; 2004-05 Seattle, WA; 2004-06 SWILLINS; 2004-09 Portland and numerous other Western US tournament

Hobbies: Bridge, Music

Jason Katz-Brown

21, Student

Rating: 1902

Record: 18th (2004), 6th (2005), 12th (2006)

Home: Cambridge, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2006 Boston Area Tournament Champion

Hobbies: Open-source software, table tennis

Manop Phiphatboonserm

32, Business Man

Rating: 1896

Record: 50th (1996)

Home: Bangkok, LA, Thailand

Hobbies: Football, Bowling

Sammy Okosagah

Age withheld, Businessman

Rating: 1890

Record: 12th (1998), 9th (2000), 26th (2004), 29th (2005), 10th (2006)

Home: Baltimore, MD

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1990 Nigerian NSC; 2004-07 Reno, NV

Hobbies: Soccer, Music

Ian Weinstein

42, Physician

Rating: 1888

Record: 56th (2000), 38th (2005), 20th (2006)

Home: Coral Springs, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2002-02 Stuart, FL; 2002-03 Stuart, FL; 2003-01 Treasure Coast, FL;2003-08 Fort Lauderdale, FL; 2004-10 Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Hobbies: bridge, poker, and the quest for prajna

Joe Edley

60, Director/Clubs & Tournaments For The Nsa

Rating: 1887

Record: 1st (1980), 3rd (1983), 2nd (1985), 36th (1987), 1st (1992), 4th (1994), 3rd (1996), 17th (1998), 1st (2000), 23rd (2002), 15th (2004), 5th (2005), 14th (2006)

Home: Port Jefferson, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: 3 time National SCRABBLE Champion

Hobbies: reading, movies, tai chi

Nigel Peltier

18, Student

Rating: 1887

Record: 44th (2005)

Home: Seattle, WA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st in Seattle Scrabble tourney

Hobbies: ultimate frisbee

John O'Laughlin

28, Software Engineer

Rating: 1873

Record: 10th (2002), 34th (2004), 20th (2005), 26th (2006)

Home: Cambridge, MA

Hobbies: music, books, puzzles

Peter Armstrong

35, GIS Analyst/Urbanist

Rating: 1868

Record: 80th (1998), 71st (2000), 24th (2002), 29th (2004), 22nd (2005), 34th (2006)

Home: Milwaukee, WI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Arden Cup 2004

Hobbies: Ultimate Frisbee

Kenji Matsumoto

23, Student

Rating: 1865

Record: 53rd (2002), 60th (2004), 19th (2005), 27th (2006)

Home: Amherst, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Division 3 Reno 2000, Division 2 2005 BAT premier

Hobbies: philosophy

Geoff Thevenot

38, Copy Editor

Rating: 1858

Record: 122nd (2004), 43rd (2005), 2nd (2006)

Home: Austin, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2006 US Scrabble Open (runner-up); member of U.S. team at 2007 CanAm

Hobbies: music, tennis, reading

Carl Johnson

26, Customer Service Representative

Rating: 1855

Record: 1st (2006)

Home: Hillsboro, OR

Hobbies: Musicology, Symphonic Composition, Reading, Java Programming, Coin Collecting, Poker

Robin Pollock Daniel

46, Mom/Psychotherapist

Rating: 1852

Record: 58th (1996), 13th (2002), 40th (2004), 40th (2005), 21st (2006)

Home: Toronto, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: Played in 1993 1995 1997 2001 WSC; played in 2002 2004 Can-Am; 2000, 2001 Toronto; 2003 Atlantic City; 2003 Boston Premier

Hobbies: Fitness, Gourmet Cooking

Stefan Rau

32, Radiologist

Rating: 1848

Record: 159th (2004), 8th (2006)

Home: New Britain, CT

Hobbies: Fantasy baseball

Jim Kramer

49, Proofreader

Rating: 1838

Record: 103rd (1985), 152nd (1987), 84th (1988), 104th (1989), 48th (1990), 52nd (1992), 20th (1994), 21st (1996), 4th (1998), 8th (2000), 11th (2002), 50th (2004), 9th (2005), 1st (2006)

Home: Roseville, MN

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2006 U.S. Scrabble Open Champion

Joel Wapnick

62, University Professor

Rating: 1838

Record: 24th (1978), 10th (1980), 1st (1983), 18th (1985), 33rd (1987), 3rd (1988), 12th (1989), 27th (1990), 2nd (1992), 9th (1994), 19th (1996), 29th (1998), 11th (2000), 10th (2002), 9th (2004), 55th (2005), 49th (2006)

Home: Montreal, QC, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1999 World Champion; 1983 North American Champion; 1998 Canadian Champion

Hobbies: Fiction writing

Marlon Hill

43, WRITER

Rating: 1831

Record: 125th (1992), 99th (1994), 2nd (1996), 69th (1998), 33rd (2000), 8th (2002), 27th (2004), 45th (2005), 17th (2006)

Home: Baltimore, MD

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2001-11 Baltimore, MD; 2003-10 Baltimore, MD

Hobbies: MUSIC

Marty Gabriel

56, Retired

Rating: 1829

Record: 99th (1998), 36th (2000), 65th (2002), 95th (2004), 46th (2005), 33rd (2006)

Home: Charleston, IL

Awards and Tournament Wins: Touch Football All-American (nine times); National Touch Football League championship team member (seven times); two 700+ games at club; 128 consecutive free throws made

Hobbies: golf, basketball, softball, tennis, pool, ping pong, birds

Nick Meyer

35, Student

Rating: 1829

Record: 50th (2004), 77th (2005), 72nd (2006)

Home: Berkeley, CA

Hobbies: Baseball, tennis, crossword puzzles

Daniel Fogel

19, Student

Rating: 1828

Record: 20th (2005), 31st (2006)

Home: Newton, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Highest rated under 18 player in NSA

Hobbies: Juggling, Foosball, Tennis, Ultimate, Hackey Sack, Writing

Evan Berofsky

32, Freelance Writer, Logistics Analyst

Rating: 1826

Record: 17th (1998), 34th (2000), 38th (2002), 36th (2004), 33rd (2005), 52nd (2006)

Home: Thornhill, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 4-time Toronto Club champ, 2-time Michigan Madness winner

Hobbies: Trivia, sports, movies, power walking

Mark Kenas

55, Antique Dealer

Rating: 1822

Record: 5th (1988), 21st (1989), 69th (1992), 51st (2002), 28th (2004), 42nd (2005), 45th (2006)

Home: Madison, WI

Hobbies: Fun(d) raising

Robert Quigley

21, Student

Rating: 1821

Record: 7th (2006)

Home: New Haven, CT

Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Music

Scott Appel

37, Statistician

Rating: 1819

Record: 6th (1998), 59th (2000), 39th (2002), 33rd (2004), 39th (2005), 5th (2006)

Home: Trenton, NJ

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2003-08 Parsippany, NJ

Hobbies: Resident of Red Sox Nation, Toddler Chaser

Cecilia Le

27, Education Writer

Rating: 1819

Record: 88th (2004), 41st (2005), 73rd (2006)

Home: Boston, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: kent gardens elementary spelling bee champ

Hobbies: beach reading, tree climbing, sushi tasting, dognaping

David Weisberg

24, English Student; Bookseller

Rating: 1818

Record: 16th (1998), 65th (2000), 22nd (2002), 121st (2004)

Home: Hollywood, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2nd place at 2001 Cincinnati Masters; 2001-11 Pompano Beach FL; 2003-05 Florida Coast; 2004-02 Tampa Bay, FL

Hobbies: Reading, writing, music, movies, internet, etc.

Randy Greenspan

Age withheld, Retired

Rating: 1817

Record: 1st (1988), 102nd (1989), 74th (1990), 33rd (1992), 48th (1994), 12th (1996), 7th (1998), 40th (2000), 110th (2002), 101st (2004), 53rd (2005), 54th (2006)

Home: Buffalo, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2003-08 Bird-in-Hand, PA; 2004-03 Pigeon Forge, TN; 2004-07 Albany, NY

Hobbies: crosswords,retrotainment,pingpong

Sam Rosin

15, Student

Rating: 1817

Record: 80th (2004), 13th (2006)

Home: Bernardsville, NJ

Orry Swift

21, Student

Rating: 1814

Record: 3rd (2006)

Home: Waco, TX

Hobbies: Video Games, Basketball, Anime

Mike Baron

58, Psychologist

Rating: 1813

Record: 29th (1983), 70th (1985), 139th (1987), 44th (1988), 16th (1989), 30th (1990), 73rd (1992), 92nd (1994), 14th (1996), 79th (1998), 43rd (2000), 97th (2002), 145th (2004), 40th (2006)

Home: Corrales, NM

Awards and Tournament Wins: "Matchups" Hall of Fame (1987), The Wordbook (1988,1994,2004), The Blankbook (1992), SCRABBLE Wordbook (2007)

Hobbies: journal writing, traveling, golf, reading

Maddy Kamen

Age withheld, High School Math Teacher

Rating: 1811

Record: 95th (1994), 49th (2002), 23rd (2004), 92nd (2005), 12th (2006)

Home: Covina, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Club 44 (Los Angeles) Champion for 2005-2006

Hobbies: Crossword puzzles, mahjong (takes a "g"), Jumbletime

Chris Lipe

27, Computer Programmer

Rating: 1811

Record: 78th (2006)

Home: Rome, NY

Hobbies: playing saxophone

Jerry Lerman

58, Risk Management Consultant

Rating: 1807

Record: 29th (1985), 37th (1987), 39th (1988), 47th (1994), 41st (1996), 16th (2000), 26th (2002), 64th (2004), 4th (2005), 51st (2006)

Home: Foster City, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Invitee to World Scrabble Championship, 1993 and 2005

Hobbies: Reading, Local Newspaper Publishing, Chess

Michael Early

Age withheld, Musician

Rating: 1806

Record: 6th (1992), 107th (2002), 14th (2004), 1st (2005), 67th (2006)

Home: Forth Worth, TX

Hobbies: songwriting, composing, philosphy, games

Lisa Odom

49, Quality Assurance Analyst

Rating: 1806

Record: 134th (1989), 66th (1990), 61st (1992), 14th (1994), 56th (1996), 24th (1998), 91st (2000), 123rd (2002), 21st (2004), 27th (2005), 46th (2006)

Home: St Louis Park, MN

Awards and Tournament Wins: 3-time World Championship participant

Hobbies: reading, guitar, singing, design junkie, ventriloquist manque

Robert Linn

64, Financial Advisor And Money Manager

Rating: 1805

Record: 155th (1987), 87th (1988), 87th (1989), 94th (1990), 93rd (1992), 106th (1994), 62nd (1996), 18th (1998), 48th (2000), 18th (2002), 72nd (2004), 82nd (2005), 16th (2006)

Home: Potomac, MD

Awards and Tournament Wins: 15 Division 1 Tourney wins; 1994 (9th) Thailand; 1989 (3rd) Australian Open

Hobbies: tennis, ping pong, travel

Nathan Benedict

27, Professional Poker Player

Rating: 1799

Record: 11th (2004), 71st (2005)

Home: Tucson, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: 11th at 2004 Nationals; 2003, 2004 Albuquerque NM; 2004-05 Los Gatos, CA; 2004-12 Tucson, NM; 2nd place Grand Canyon 2003; 2003, 1999 Reno Early Bird

Hobbies: Poker, crosswords, armchair economics

Robert Ellickson

66, Law Professor

Rating: 1797

Record: 189th (1985), 68th (1987), 20th (1989), 69th (1990), 18th (1992), 46th (1994), 38th (1998), 84th (2000), 25th (2002), 17th (2004), 22nd (2006)

Home: New Haven, CT

Rahn McKeown

28, Scientist

Rating: 1797

Record: 26th (2004)

Home: Pittsboro, NC

Awards and Tournament Wins: Won first tourney (Gatlinburg)

Hobbies: Basketball, Scrabble, Poker

Nawapadol Sayavesa

24, Business Man

Rating: 1796

First-time competitor

Home: Bangkok, LA, Thailand

Hobbies: Football

Laurie Cohen

41, Institutional Research Director

Rating: 1795

Record: 114th (2002), 49th (2004), 6th (2005), 74th (2006)

Home: Tempe, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2003-12 Tucson, AZ

Hobbies: movies, travel

Steve Polatnick

63, Attorney At Law

Rating: 1791

Record: 17th (1978), 11th (1980), 8th (1983), 16th (1985), 24th (1987), 11th (1988), 35th (1989), 25th (1990), 28th (1992), 21st (1994), 13th (1996), 33rd (1998), 27th (2000), 36th (2002), 58th (2004), 63rd (2005), 30th (2006)

Home: Miami, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: 4th Place, World Scrabble Championship 2001

Hobbies: tennis, bicycling, poker

J. Paul Epstein

56, Social Worker (Not Employed)

Rating: 1790

Record: 49th (1985), 18th (1987), 29th (1988), 36th (1989), 52nd (1990), 72nd (1992), 27th (1994), 5th (1996), 15th (1998), 31st (2000), 5th (2002), 93rd (2004), 64th (2005), 35th (2006)

Home: Keego Harbor, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: 5th--NSC Dallas 1996, 5th--NSC San Diego 2002, 25th--WSC Melbourne 1999

Hobbies: Music, Standup Comedy

Steve Glass

54, Tax Preparer

Rating: 1787

Record: 2nd (1996), 9th (1998), 3rd (2002), 63rd (2004), 10th (2005), 6th (2006)

Home: Dade City, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2002-09 Albuquerque, NM; 2003-10 Hudson, OH; 2004-11 Dallas, TX

Rod MacNeil

34, Administrative & Project Support For Architectural Firm

Rating: 1786

Record: 37th (1998), 76th (2000), 74th (2002), 78th (2004), 12th (2005), 59th (2006)

Home: Cambridge, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1999 2000 2003 Cape Cod; 2003 Rhombus Cup; 2004 Boston (A); (12th) 2005 NSC; 2007 Michigan Madness; 2007 Montreal

Hobbies: Fantasy sports, traveling, movies, cheese, representing Red Sox Nation

Cesar Del Solar

24, Electrical Engineer

Rating: 1785

Record: 51st (2006)

Home: Pasadena, CA

Hobbies: Guitar, music, programming, making awkward conversation-stopping comments

Chuck Armstrong

59, Retired

Rating: 1783

Record: 9th (1983), 4th (1985), 3rd (1987), 4th (1988), 18th (1989), 1st (2002), 19th (2004)

Home: Saline, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Literacy Council Scrabble Tournament winner (198?); 2002-02 Hudson, OH; 2002-04, 2003-06 Livonia, MI; 2003-08 Cambridge ON; 2003-09 Toronto ON; 2002 NSC (Div. 2)

Hobbies: Collecting fractional currency and MPCs (military scrip)

Craig Rowland

42, Library Assistant

Rating: 1783

Record: 73rd (2002), 32nd (2004), 41st (2006)

Home: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Hobbies: Minority European languages, endangered languages, Romansch, Apple Records, Värttinä, Ultra Bra, Yoko Ono, Helen Shapiro

Rafi Stern

19, Student

Rating: 1783

Record: 1st (2006)

Home: Seattle, WA

Awards and Tournament Wins: (Division 3) 2006 USSO; 2007 Seattle

Hobbies: Ultimate frisbee, Poker, Beatboxing, Bowling

Rose Kreiswirth

Age withheld, Retired Mental Health Clinic Administrator

Rating: 1782

Record: 82nd (1985), 77th (1987), 60th (1988), 15th (1989), 44th (1990), 70th (1992), 77th (1994), 86th (1998), 69th (2000), 86th (2002), 131st (2004), 29th (2006)

Home: East Northport, NY

Hobbies: Reading....Puzzles....Mah Jongg....Volunteer work

Jesse Day

20, Student

Rating: 1779

Record: 6th (2005), 23rd (2006)

Home: New Haven, CT

Awards and Tournament Wins: Div. D, Stamford 2005; Div. C, Cape Cod 2005; continued survival

Hobbies: Games, Music, Reading, Frisbee, Random trivia

David Pearl

Age withheld, Financial Planner

Rating: 1777

Record: 1st (1998), 1st (2000), 43rd (2002), 1st (2004), 79th (2005), 33rd (2006)

Home: Long Beach, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: New Orleans d2

Hobbies: Tennis, Golf, Reading, Music, Film

Dielle Saldanha

19, Student

Rating: 1777

Record: 1st (2002), 9th (2004), 84th (2005), 35th (2006)

Home: Richmond, BC, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st place- div 6, 2002 NSC; div 2, Portland 2005

Hobbies: field hockey, shopping, running, reading

Darrell Day

Age withheld, Executive Recruiter

Rating: 1776

Record: 7th (1985), 12th (1988), 5th (1989), 76th (1996), 76th (2002), 97th (2004), 32nd (2005), 18th (2006)

Home: Richardson, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: Former City Councilman; wrote feature published in NY Times

Hobbies: basketball, jogging, volleyball, chasing my 3-year-old

Jeff Reeves

55, Casino Worker

Rating: 1775

Record: 87th (1985), 71st (1987), 50th (1988), 19th (1990), 10th (1992)

Home: Woodworth, LA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2001-09 Lafayette, LA

Ron Tiekert

61, Educational Software Editor

Rating: 1774

Record: 8th (1978), 3rd (1980), 7th (1983), 1st (1985), 3rd (1989), 8th (1992), 50th (1994), 5th (1998), 7th (2000), 32nd (2002), 55th (2004)

Home: Melbourne, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1985 National Champion; winner Boston Premier 3 times; played in 3 Worlds' - best finish 5th; top 10 finish in 6 NSCs; 2004-10 Stuart, FL; 2005-03 Gainsville, FL

Hobbies: Scrabble, Table Tennis

Louie Muller

46, Bank Courier

Rating: 1773

Record: 33rd (1985), 82nd (1987), 47th (1988), 85th (1996)

Home: Newcastle, CA

Amnuay Ploysangngam

44, Business Man

Rating: 1772

Record: 91st (1988), 46th (1989), 57th (1990), 87th (1992), 91st (1994), 79th (1996), 91st (1998), 46th (2000), 33rd (2002), 77th (2004), 73rd (2005), 57th (2006)

Home: Bangkok, Thailand

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994 Thailand Grand Prix Champion

Hobbies: Golf, Football

Jan Dixon

Age withheld, Accountant/organizational Expert

Rating: 1770

Record: 20th (1983), 41st (1985), 141st (1987), 93rd (1988), 61st (1989), 64th (1990), 90th (1992), 53rd (1994), 31st (1996), 66th (1998), 32nd (2000), 52nd (2002), 35th (2004), 54th (2005), 50th (2006)

Home: Newark, DE

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st place Boston Premier in my prime; 4th place Super Stars; Two superb children; Two amazing grandchildren

Hobbies: hiking, crossword puzzles, dancing

Sam Kantimathi

Age withheld, Engineering Entrepreneur For Wordgame Accessories And Aerospace

Rating: 1770

Record: 131st (1985), 46th (1987), 31st (1989), 46th (1990), 15th (1992), 60th (1994), 82nd (1996), 46th (1998), 62nd (2000), 50th (2002), 67th (2004), 10th (2005), 61st (2006)

Home: El Dorado Hills, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1994 Thai Cup; (27th) 1995 Superstars; 1997 $10,000 Manila; (22nd) 2003 All*Stars; Guinness world record holder for highest-scoring opening move (BEZIQUE, 124)

Hobbies: Making useful products for boardgame players, Safaris, Photography, Meditation, Worldwide Travel, Snorkeling, Hiking

Trip Payne

39, Puzzlemaker

Rating: 1768

Record: 52nd (1998), 82nd (2000), 51st (2005), 19th (2006)

Home: Boca Raton, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: American Crossword Puzzle Tournament champion (93, 98, 04); first 32K winner on WWTBAM; featured in the movie Wordplay.

Hobbies: Puzzles, pinball

Jeremy Frank

39, Court Reporter

Rating: 1767

Record: 63rd (2000), 104th (2002), 43rd (2004), 74th (2005), 92nd (2006)

Home: New York, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Top 50 in 2005

Hobbies: Sports, travel, reading

Randy Hersom

48, Computer Programmer

Rating: 1765

Record: 37th (1992), 17th (1994), 17th (1996), 20th (1998), 5th (2000), 21st (2002), 22nd (2004), 37th (2005)

Home: Morganton, NC

Awards and Tournament Wins: (5th) 2000 NSC; played in 1997 1999 2001 2003 WSC; played in 1995 Superstars and 2003 All Stars

Hobbies: CD Collecting, Racquetball, Poker

Howard Pistol

51, Finance

Rating: 1761

Record: 11th (1990), 156th (1992), 96th (1994), 21st (1996), 17th (1998), 46th (2000), 52nd (2002), 114th (2004), 28th (2006)

Home: Oakland Park, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2004-05 Tampa Bay, FL

Hobbies: Travel

Rob Robinsky

23, Analytical Chemist

Rating: 1759

Record: 46th (2004), 9th (2005)

Home: Minneapolis, MN

Awards and Tournament Wins: Survived both Organic Chemistry and New Jersey

Hobbies: Studying, Procrastinating, Partying...to the rest, I plead the fifth

Winter Zxqkj

36, Computer Programmer

Rating: 1759

Record: 43rd (2004), 86th (2005), 64th (2006)

Home: Houston, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: Not a thing.

Hobbies: traveling

Seth Lipkin

45, Software Developer

Rating: 1758

Record: 44th (2006)

Home: Hopkinton, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Co-creator of www.cross-tables.com and three daughters

Hobbies: Spreading self thin

Patricia Barrett

60, Financial Planner

Rating: 1757

Record: 34th (1985), 28th (1988), 6th (1990), 42nd (1992), 18th (1994), 33rd (1996), 54th (1998), 28th (2000), 12th (2002)

Home: Houston, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: Yard of the Month, Houston Club Champ

Hobbies: gardening, Pilates, yoga

Vernon Jones

52, occupation withheld

Rating: 1750

Record: 19th (1980), 52nd (1985), 20th (1987), 82nd (1988), 55th (1989), 115th (1990)

Home: Winter Haven, FL

Lester Schonbrun

72, Legal Assistant

Rating: 1750

Record: 16th (1980), 9th (1985), 16th (1987), 34th (1988), 75th (1989), 2nd (1990), 4th (1992), 54th (1994), 6th (1996), 16th (1998), 41st (2000), 61st (2002), 69th (2004), 14th (2005), 11th (2006)

Home: Oakland, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Best supporting actor, 1927 in Birth of a Nation; runner-up in NSC Wash, DC, winner West Coast Chmp., numerous others

Hobbies: Bird watching and stamp collecting - or watching birds collect stamps.

Michael Baker

48, Engineering Technician

Rating: 1742

Record: 1st (1994), 5th (1996), 88th (1998), 61st (2000), 87th (2002), 74th (2004), 60th (2005), 68th (2006)

Home: Portland, OR

Hobbies: Poker, Pool.

Frank Tangredi

53, Social Studies Textbook Editor And Emerging Playwright

Rating: 1740

Record: 52nd (1988), 76th (1989), 62nd (2004), 50th (2005)

Home: West Babylon, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: winning my division at BAT every 16 years; $32K winner on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

Hobbies: acting; singing; anagrams; creating elaborate trivia games

Greg A. Heidler

41, Lawyer

Rating: 1735

Record: 221st (1987), 11th (1992), 14th (1994), 14th (1998), 13th (2000), 37th (2002), 4th (2004), 65th (2005), 60th (2006)

Home: Waialua, HI

Hobbies: tennis

Dean Saldanha

25, Castings administrator

Rating: 1734

Record: 3rd (2000), 20th (2002), 68th (2004), 49th (2005), 36th (2006)

Home: Richmond, BC, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: (1st) 2005 Vancouver; (2nd) 2003 CNSC

Hobbies: Hockey, soccer, tennis, basketball, music, chess, reading

Mike Paxson

60, Administrative Law Judge

Rating: 1732

Record: 118th (2004)

Home: Bloomington, IN

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2004-07 Indianapolis, IN; 2004-12, 2005-03 Elizabethtown, KY

Jesse Matthews

22, Web Developer

Rating: 1729

Record: 116th (2004), 101st (2005), 71st (2006)

Home: Kelowna, BC, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: Hopefully a good result at Nationals :-)

Hobbies: pwning n00bs

Ira Cohen

Age withheld, Scrabble Player

Rating: 1727

Record: 40th (1987), 81st (1988), 20th (1996), 10th (1998), 23rd (2000), 15th (2002), 38th (2004), 34th (2005), 66th (2006)

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2001-07 Denver, CO; 2001-09 Northridge, CA; 2001-10 Western Canadian Championship (E.B. and M.E.); 2002-06 Bozeman, MT; 2003-10, 2004-10 Western Canadian Championship (E.B. and M.E.); 2004-06 Bozeman, MT

Hobbies: chess,crossword puzzles,traveling,tennis,basketball

Jeremy Hildebrand

32, Animation Artist

Rating: 1719

First-time competitor

Home: Ottawa, ON, Canada

Hobbies: Golf

Alyssa Faria

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 1718

Record: 41st (2006)

Home: Cambridge, MA

Edward De Guzman

Age withheld, Graduate Student

Rating: 1716

Record: 2nd (2005)

Home: Urbana, IL

Hobbies: computers, music (piano, violin), tennis

Jon Shreve

47, Actuary

Rating: 1711

Record: 41st (1989), 121st (1990)

Home: Denver, CO

Dave Leifer

62, Corporate Tax Director

Rating: 1709

Record: 134th (1988), 81st (1989), 59th (1990), 20th (1992), 15th (1994), 71st (1996), 122nd (1998), 11th (2000), 35th (2002), 45th (2004), 40th (2005), 24th (2006)

Home: Alpharetta, GA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2006 Charlotte Division 2 Champion, Distinguished Service Award, Instute for Professionals in Taxation

Hobbies: Sports, Music, Fitness

Ted Rosen

60, Newspaper Copy Editor

Rating: 1691

Record: 68th (1985), 144th (1987), 25th (1988), 72nd (1989), 124th (1990), 92nd (1992), 69th (1994), 88th (1996), 75th (1998), 65th (2000), 83rd (2002), 153rd (2004), 11th (2005), 8th (2006)

Home: Rochester, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Prizes in art shows at national, international level, also Williamsville Art Society Shows

Hobbies: Painting, collecting classical records, reading, running, fishing (with rod and reel).

Keith Smith

Age withheld, Computer Programmer

Rating: 1691

Record: 44th (2002), 120th (2004), 69th (2005), 69th (2006)

Home: Austin, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2003-03 Lubbock, TX; 2004-06 Arlington, TX

David Koenig

30, Teacher

Rating: 1683

Record: 28th (2005)

Home: Tenafly, NJ

Awards and Tournament Wins: FIDE Chess Master, Twice NJ Junior Chess Champ, County Champ

Hobbies: Chess, New York Yankees baseball

Mike Frentz

25, Accountant

Rating: 1679

Record: 17th (2002), 27th (2004), 35th (2005)

Home: Seattle, WA

Awards and Tournament Wins: National Merit Scholar

Hobbies: Reading, theater, poker, piano-playing

Webster Phillips

62, Retired

Rating: 1679

Record: 63rd (1985), 19th (1987), 65th (1988), 22nd (1989), 77th (1996)

Home: Montclair, NJ

Mark Przybyszewski

43, Credit Counselor

Rating: 1679

Record: 164th (1988), 64th (1989), 40th (1990), 39th (1992), 26th (1994), 101st (1998), 73rd (2000), 48th (2002), 142nd (2004), 18th (2005), 37th (2006)

Home: Depew, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: former Mensa member

Hobbies: karaoke, puzzles, collecting casino memorabilia

Steve Grob

50, Stay At Home Dad

Rating: 1672

Record: 105th (1985), 85th (1987), 129th (1988), 88th (1990), 153rd (1992), 24th (1994), 49th (1996), 25th (2002), 47th (2005)

Home: Fenton, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: NSA AB member since 1999; 2002-11 Port Huron, MI

Hobbies: backgammon, poker

Marjorie Schoneboom

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 1670

Record: 32nd (1983), 132nd (1985), 164th (1987), 79th (1988), 58th (1989), 33rd (1990), 91st (1992), 33rd (1994), 66th (1996), 98th (1998), 66th (2000), 80th (2002), 124th (2004)

Home: Deer Park, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2001-08 Atlantic City, NJ; 2002-12 Plainview, NY; 2004-06 Shelton, CT

Ron Hoekstra

40, Accountant

Rating: 1662

Record: 41st (1998), 30th (2000), 81st (2002), 112th (2004), 65th (2005), 43rd (2006)

Home: Kentwood, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2000 CNSC

Hobbies: Hockey, music, languages

Debbie Stegman

Age withheld, Vp Human Resources

Rating: 1644

Record: 17th (2000), 81st (2002), 89th (2004), 50th (2005), 5th (2006)

Home: Kew Gardens, NY

Jeremy Cahnmann

33, Umpire/Quizmaster/Coach/Minister/Actor

Rating: 1627

Record: 16th (2006)

Home: Chicago, IL

Hobbies: baseball, politics & having a good time

Steve Oliger

59, Retired Electronics Technician

Rating: 1615

Record: 223rd (1987), 40th (1988), 99th (1989), 112th (1992), 100th (1994), 104th (1996), 97th (1998), 97th (2000), 85th (2002), 71st (2004), 80th (2005), 26th (2006)

Home: Holtwood, PA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Uhhhh...; 2004-06 Indianapolis, IN

Hobbies: music, travel, reading, writing, computers

Steve Pellinen

55, Civil Engineer

Rating: 1608

Record: 12th (1989), 79th (1990), 32nd (1992), 70th (1994), 78th (1996), 89th (1998), 58th (2000), 102nd (2002), 47th (2004), 5th (2005)

Home: St Louis Park, MN

Awards and Tournament Wins: Ninth Grade Battle of Wits Champion; 2005-03 Twin Cities, MN

Hobbies: Reading, music, baseball

Mark Milan

49, Software QA Engineer

Rating: 1564

Record: 64th (1994), 63rd (1996), 81st (1998), 42nd (2000), 56th (2002), 135th (2004), 66th (2005), 16th (2006)

Home: Laguna Niguel, CA

Hobbies: Cooking, gardening

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