Sometimes there are weeks that go by when more than one man creates a great impact. This was one of those weeks for yours truly.

Before I even left my card selection was fueled by Mike Thomas and Ed Fear. Without these cards I could not even have played.

Ed Fear was already honored for his charity work in bringing people to worlds, myself included. The next person who impacted this week was Ben Seck. TBS put up countless gamers in a series of suites. I needed a room at the last minute and he found me space. The space he found me, however, was not without its challenges. The room was with Peter Szegeti, Brian Hegstad, and Alex Borteh. Alex did not like me for whatever reason, but was able to suppress this and take me into his room. This prompted a turn around, and Alex and I are friends again. Also, in this same vein, Brock Parker seems to have made a turn around as we were fairly civil to one another all weekend.

Mike Turian, Eugene Harvey, Alex Melinkow, Paul Sotisanti, Andrew Johnson, Osyp Lebedowicz, and everyone else who put in more than me testing and still let me use their deck in the type 2 deserve mention. The deck may not have been the best in the format, but it is the thought that counts. Also thanks to Brian Kibler for giving me a block deck in the 11th hour. He had a great run, but fell short at the end. Brian is one of the best players in the US, he will be in the top 8 again before long.

The block deck was also aided by Ze Germans (original builders), Adam Fischer, and Morgan Douglass who helped me refine the sideboard. Chris Leather, and Paul Sotisanti also helped with my block woes.

Perhaps the biggest influence on me this week was Gary Wise. When I was down 0-3 I was ready to quit magic right then and there. Gary told me to go out side, scream at the top of my lungs, and get rid of the losing attitude. I did, and I went on a 12-0 run. I can’t really thank Gary enough for this. He tried not to take credit for this, but magic is as much psychological as anything else. Without him I am not sure I could have done this.

Play testing for my top 8 match was aided by Alex Melinkow, Matt Linde, Antonino Derosa, Roger Sorino, Baby Huey, John Omerod, and Brian Kibler. Thanks all of you for putting in the time that you did.

Team USA, against all odds made a monster comeback to again make it to the finals. Eugene Harvey led his crew of Andrew Ranks, and Eric Franz to yet another impressive finish when everyone had counted them out. Thanks to the three of you for showing that America is still among the greatest, and for supporting me.

Carlos Romao was the first person in a long time to out tech an entire tournament by developing a new strategy. He above all else deserved to win, and he did. Cole Swannick managed to barely miss the top 16 at only 12 years old. They also forgot to name his country when he carried the flag to the stage. I guarantee they will never forget him again. Mark Ziegner for carrying the Juggernaut on his back and being a hell of a nice guy.

For my money draft partners, Jens Thoren, Jeff Fung, Matt Linde, Svend Geersten, and Alex Melinkow, thanks for helping me post a winning record in that arena.

I want to name everyone else who helped me get here. Derek Rollins, Joe Weber, Ben Farkas, Jamie Parke, James Sorce, Gaming Jim (who loaned me cards at the last minute), Alex Bedell, Richie Hoaen, and tons more, but I don’t have the space and I’d rather leave too many out than just one person.

So to all these men, and many more, I honor them with the Good Men of Worlds 2002 award.

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!

Sometimes there are weeks that go by when more than one man creates a great impact. This was one of those weeks for yours truly.

Before I even left my card selection was fueled by Mike Thomas and Ed Fear. Without these cards I could not even have played.

Ed Fear was already honored for his charity work in bringing people to worlds, myself included. The next person who impacted this week was Ben Seck. TBS put up countless gamers in a series of suites. I needed a room at the last minute and he found me space. The space he found me, however, was not without its challenges. The room was with Peter Szegeti, Brian Hegstad, and Alex Borteh. Alex did not like me for whatever reason, but was able to suppress this and take me into his room. This prompted a turn around, and Alex and I are friends again. Also, in this same vein, Brock Parker seems to have made a turn around as we were fairly civil to one another all weekend.

Mike Turian, Eugene Harvey, Alex Melinkow, Paul Sotisanti, Andrew Johnson, Osyp Lebedowicz, and everyone else who put in more than me testing and still let me use their deck in the type 2 deserve mention. The deck may not have been the best in the format, but it is the thought that counts. Also thanks to Brian Kibler for giving me a block deck in the 11th hour. He had a great run, but fell short at the end. Brian is one of the best players in the US, he will be in the top 8 again before long.

The block deck was also aided by Ze Germans (original builders), Adam Fischer, and Morgan Douglass who helped me refine the sideboard. Chris Leather, and Paul Sotisanti also helped with my block woes.

Perhaps the biggest influence on me this week was Gary Wise. When I was down 0-3 I was ready to quit magic right then and there. Gary told me to go out side, scream at the top of my lungs, and get rid of the losing attitude. I did, and I went on a 12-0 run. I can’t really thank Gary enough for this. He tried not to take credit for this, but magic is as much psychological as anything else. Without him I am not sure I could have done this.

Play testing for my top 8 match was aided by Alex Melinkow, Matt Linde, Antonino Derosa, Roger Sorino, Baby Huey, John Omerod, and Brian Kibler. Thanks all of you for putting in the time that you did.

Team USA, against all odds made a monster comeback to again make it to the finals. Eugene Harvey led his crew of Andrew Ranks, and Eric Franz to yet another impressive finish when everyone had counted them out. Thanks to the three of you for showing that America is still among the greatest, and for supporting me.

Carlos Romao was the first person in a long time to out tech an entire tournament by developing a new strategy. He above all else deserved to win, and he did. Cole Swannick managed to barely miss the top 16 at only 12 years old. They also forgot to name his country when he carried the flag to the stage. I guarantee they will never forget him again. Mark Ziegner for carrying the Juggernaut on his back and being a hell of a nice guy.

For my money draft partners, Jens Thoren, Jeff Fung, Matt Linde, Svend Geersten, and Alex Melinkow, thanks for helping me post a winning record in that arena.

I want to name everyone else who helped me get here. Derek Rollins, Joe Weber, Ben Farkas, Jamie Parke, James Sorce, Gaming Jim (who loaned me cards at the last minute), Alex Bedell, Richie Hoaen, and tons more, but I don’t have the space and I’d rather leave too many out than just one person.

So to all these men, and many more, I honor them with the Good Men of Worlds 2002 award.

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!