196 attendees made this the largest States in Wisconsin history, and a couple of the past champions were on hand. Defending title-holder Adrian Sullivan had a rough day, while Mike Hron, Wisconsin's only two-time winner (2000, 2001) was eliminated near the end of the day. Rob Castro, the first state champ (1997) was playing as usual, but could not return to old form with his mono-black control deck.
Runner-up in 1999, Bob Maher, Jr. played but was eliminated from contention after his fifth-round concession to Andy "Box" Klein because, as Maher explained it, he "couldn't use the prize." Wisconsin awards its winner a year of free events for Steve Port and Barratt Moy events; (encompassing Madison, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago and St. Louis) a much-coveted prize for the average PTQer. Notable absences from the event included 2001 runner-up Dustin Stern, Matt Severa (both of whom are mostly retired), and Regional champion, Will "the Korean Wonder" Brinkman was in attendance but elected not to play.
In the end, it was the soft-spoken Lucas Duchow who won the crown. Duchow is considered a fine player and is always a formidable opponent when attending PTQs. All of the top players in the region know the name "Duchow" from either Lucas or his capable cousin, Adam. This adds to the growing resume of Lucas Duchow who has played in four Pro Tours and a National Championships.
Here are the top 8 decks from the event. For the record, Lucas had a Triskelion in his sideboard because he couldn't find a third Karma.
This was my first return trip to Misty Mountain Games since my one-year suspension from attending events twelve months ago, and I'd like to thank everyone for welcoming me back. This was by far the most fun I've had at States since I started playing this tournament back in 1998.
There are too many people to thank for that, and you know who you are. After the event, several people went to Bob Maher's house for some drafts. I was reminded how he got his nickname as he and Box defeated Mike Hron and me in a 2v2 Mirage-block draft with the very classy Asian packs. Desertion proved to be our eventual downfall...Well, me not hating up the Desertion.
Thanks to the hospitality shown to me by both Bob and at the event by head judge Chris Richter. Additional thanks to Adam Duchow, Chuck Von Haden, and as always, my partner in crime, Will Brinkman.
Kurtis "Fat Man" Hahn
FiveColorFat on AIM
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