Joel Sherman [#146] at 2004 National SCRABBLE® Championship

[ Congratulations to the new National Champion, Trey Wright, who defeated David Gibson in three straight games, 365-328, 355-344 and 429-328. Please tune in to ESPN to watch the final games at 1 P.M. ET on Sunday, October 3rd, 2004. We welcome your e-mailed corrections to our web site. ]

On this page, you will find information about Joel Sherman, who is a contestant in Division 1 at the 2004 National SCRABBLE® Championship, held July 31st - August 5th in New Orleans, LA. This page is updated at least hourly between 09:00 A.M. and midnight CDT. Sherman currently has a record of 15-15, +258, and is ranked #81 in Division 1.

Lower on this page, you can find brief self-reported biographical details of the player, statistics on the player's past several years of rated tournament play in North America, a graphic showing the player's ups and downs at this tournament, and a round-by-round report on the player's opponents and games.

Background Information

[player photo]

Given name(s): Joel
Surname(s): Sherman
Home: Bronx, NY, United States
Age: 42
Awards: (2nd) 1995, (1st) 1997 WSC; 2002 NSC; 1997 Western Championship; 2001-07 Reno, NV (E.B.); 2001-08 Twin Cities, MN; 2002-02 Danbury, CT; 2003-02 Danbury, CT; 2003-07 Reno, NV (E.B.); 2003-09 Shelton, CT; 2004-02 Danbury, CT
Hobbies: piano, singing, karaoke, movies
Occupation: Featured character in books and films on Scrabble
WSC 1993 Rank: 10
WSC 1995 Rank: 2
WSC 1997 Rank: 1
WSC 1999 Rank: 15
WSC 2001 Rank: 51

Career History

5-year record against other players at this event	358-206 (0.635)
Past 1-12 months	71-24 (0.747)	L WW L WWWWWWW L W L W L WWWWWWWWW L W L WWWWWWW L W LL WW L WWW L WWWWWWWWW L W L W L WWWW LL WWWWW L W L WWWW L W L WWWWWWWW LL WW L W
Past 13-24 months	77.5-51.5 (0.601)	L W L W L W L WW LL WW L WWWWWW L WTWW L WWW L WW L W L WW L WWWWW L W LL WW LL WW L WW L W LLLLL WWW L WWWWW L W L WW L WW LLLLLL WWWWWWW L W LL W LLL WWW L W L WWWWW LL WWWWWW LLLL W LL WW
Past 25-36 months	95-47 (0.669)	W L W L WWWW LL WWWWWWWWWWWW L WWWWWW L WW LL WW LL W L WW LL WWWWWW LLL W L W LL WW LL WWWWWWW L WWWWW L W LL W LL W LL WW L W LLL WWW LLLL WWWW L W LL W L WWWWW LL WWWWWWWWW L WWWWW L WWWW LL WWWW
Past 37-48 months	77-61 (0.558)	LL WW LL WWW LL WW L WWWW LLLL W L W L WWWW L WWWW LL W LL W LL W L WW LLLL W LLL W L W L WW LLL W LL W LL WWWWWW L W LLLL W L W LLLL WW L WW LL W L WWWW L WW LL WWWW L WW L WWWWWWWWWWW L WW L WWW LL W L W
Past 49-60 months	37.5-22.5 (0.625)	L WWWWTWW L WWWWW LLL WW L WWW L W LL W LL W L W L W LL W L WWWWWWW L W LL WW L WWWWW LL

Rank Diagram

[rank diagram]
See legend

Round-by-Round
High score: 590 Average for: 400 Average against: 391
Before the Tournament		Sherman is mentioned in this round's photo captions (2 hits).
Round 1		Sherman played #118 Steve Ozorio (Mississauga ON) and won 485 to 339 (a spread of 146) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Ozorio in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #18. Current record: 1-0, +146. Sherman is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit). Sherman is mentioned in this round's photo captions (1 hit).
Round 2		Sherman played #97 Marcia McPhee (Centreville, VA) and won 376 to 348 (a spread of 28) . Before this event, Sherman had not played McPhee in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #28. Current record: 2-0, +174.
Round 3		Sherman played #173 Martin Weisskopf (Huntsville, AL) and won 458 to 327 (a spread of 131) . The last time these two played was 2000-09 at: ATLANTA, GA Sherman's record vs. Weisskopf in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #14. Current record: 3-0, +305.
Round 4		Sherman played #60 Albert Hahn (Calgary AB) and lost 338 to 444 (a spread of -106) . The last time these two played was 2001-07 at: RENO, NV Sherman's record vs. Hahn in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-1 (0.500). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: LW. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #36. Current record: 3-1, +199.
Round 5		Sherman played #159 Chrisn Thivavarnvongs (Thailand) and lost 345 to 420 (a spread of -75) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Thivavarnvongs in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #57. Current record: 3-2, +124.
Round 6		Sherman played #41 Paul Epstein (Ann Arbor, MI) and won 452 to 416 (a spread of 36) . The last time these two played was 2002-05 at: GREATER CHICAGO, IL Sherman's record vs. Epstein in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-1 (0.667). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: W. Current ranking: #43. Current record: 4-2, +160.
Round 7		Sherman played #103 Avi Moss (Missouri City, TX) and lost 304 to 451 (a spread of -147) . The last time these two played was 2003-04 at: STAMFORD, CT Sherman's record vs. Moss in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-2 (0.500). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: WL. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: L. Current ranking: #66. Current record: 4-3, +13. Sherman is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit). Sherman is mentioned in this round's photo captions (1 hit).
Round 8		Sherman played #11 Nathan Benedict (Tucson, AZ) and won 463 to 374 (a spread of 89) . The last time these two played was 2003-07 at: RENO, NV Sherman's record vs. Benedict in the 5 years leading up to this event: 5-1 (0.833). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: WWL. Past 25-36 months: WWW. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #51. Current record: 5-3, +102. Sherman is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit). Sherman is mentioned in this round's photo captions (1 hit).
Round 9		Sherman played #38 Joe Edley (Coram, NY) and won 504 to 256 (a spread of 248) . The last time these two played was 2004-04 at: BOSTON AREA TOURNAMENT Sherman's record vs. Edley in the 5 years leading up to this event: 6-8 (0.429). Past 1-12 months: L. Past 13-24 months: WLWLW. Past 25-36 months: LWWW. Past 37-48 months: LL. Past 49-60 months: LL. Current ranking: #31. Current record: 6-3, +350. Sherman is mentioned in this round's photo captions (1 hit).
Round 10		Sherman played #51 David Gibson (Spartanburg, SC) and lost 363 to 491 (a spread of -128) . The last time these two played was 2003-08 at: ALL*STARS CHAMPIONSHIP Sherman's record vs. Gibson in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #47. Current record: 6-4, +222.
Round 11		Sherman played #36 Jim Dodds (White Oak, PA) and won 407 to 254 (a spread of 153) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Dodds in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #38. Current record: 7-4, +375.
Round 12		Sherman played #64 Wendell Haynes (Loxahatchee, FL) and won 503 to 364 (a spread of 139) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Haynes in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #26. Current record: 8-4, +514.
Round 13		Sherman played #12 Evan Berofsky (Thornhill ON) and won 391 to 376 (a spread of 15) . The last time these two played was 2004-05 at: CHICAGO, IL Sherman's record vs. Berofsky in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-1 (0.667). Past 1-12 months: WW. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #22. Current record: 9-4, +529.
Round 14		Sherman played #88 Robert Linn (Potomac, MD) and lost 325 to 429 (a spread of -104) . The last time these two played was 2004-05 at: CHICAGO, IL Sherman's record vs. Linn in the 5 years leading up to this event: 10-7 (0.588). Past 1-12 months: WWW. Past 13-24 months: WWLW. Past 25-36 months: WWWLL. Past 37-48 months: LLLL. Past 49-60 months: W. Current ranking: #30. Current record: 9-5, +425.
Round 15		Sherman played #37 Mike Early (Fort Worth, TX) and lost 328 to 434 (a spread of -106) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Early in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #46. Current record: 9-6, +319.
Round 16		Sherman played #161 Ron Tiekert (Indialantic, FL) and lost 317 to 567 (a spread of -250) . The last time these two played was 2003-08 at: ALL*STARS CHAMPIONSHIP Sherman's record vs. Tiekert in the 5 years leading up to this event: 3-7 (0.300). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: LLW. Past 37-48 months: LLL. Past 49-60 months: WWL. Current ranking: #60. Current record: 9-7, +69. Sherman is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit).
Round 17		Sherman played #130 Steve Polatnick (Miami, FL) and lost 376 to 462 (a spread of -86) . The last time these two played was 2003-07 at: RENO, NV Sherman's record vs. Polatnick in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-3 (0.400). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: WL. Past 37-48 months: L. Past 49-60 months: L. Current ranking: #72. Current record: 9-8, -17.
Round 18		Sherman played #5 Chuck Armstrong (Saline, MI) and lost 343 to 385 (a spread of -42) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Armstrong in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #82. Current record: 9-9, -59.
Round 19		Sherman played #73 Richard Julian (Mountainside, NJ) and lost 372 to 399 (a spread of -27) . The last time these two played was 2003-09 at: SHELTON, CT Sherman's record vs. Julian in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: W. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #96. Current record: 9-10, -86.
Round 20	Larger photo available	Sherman played #56 Matt Graham (New York, NY) and won 442 to 395 (a spread of 47) . The last time these two played was 2003-09 at: JERSEY CITY, NJ Sherman's record vs. Graham in the 5 years leading up to this event: 9-11 (0.450). Past 1-12 months: L. Past 13-24 months: WLWLWL. Past 25-36 months: LLWL. Past 37-48 months: LLWWLWW. Past 49-60 months: LW. Current ranking: #85. Current record: 10-10, -39.
Round 21		Sherman played #61 Eric Harshbarger (Auburn, AL) and lost 332 to 364 (a spread of -32) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Harshbarger in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #99. Current record: 10-11, -71.
Round 22		Sherman played #59 Dominic Grillo (Somerset, NJ) and lost 381 to 411 (a spread of -30) . The last time these two played was 2002-10 at: STAMFORD, CT Sherman's record vs. Grillo in the 5 years leading up to this event: 5-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: WW. Past 25-36 months: WW. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: W. Current ranking: #111. Current record: 10-12, -101.
Round 23		Sherman played #162 Susi Tiekert (Indialantic, FL) and won 590 to 311 (a spread of 279) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Tiekert in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #91. Current record: 11-12, +178.
Round 24		Sherman played #9 Mike Baron (Corrales, NM) and won 414 to 399 (a spread of 15) . The last time these two played was 2003-07 at: RENO, NV Sherman's record vs. Baron in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-3 (0.400). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: L. Past 49-60 months: LW. Current ranking: #81. Current record: 12-12, +193.
Round 25		Sherman played #19 Gerald Carter (Thailand) and won 376 to 367 (a spread of 9) . The last time these two played was 2000-08 at: NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP Sherman's record vs. Carter in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: W. Current ranking: #71. Current record: 13-12, +202.
Round 26		Sherman played #61 Eric Harshbarger (Auburn, AL) and won 478 to 306 (a spread of 172) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Harshbarger in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #62. Current record: 14-12, +374.
Round 27		Sherman played #148 Paul Sidorsky (Calgary AB) and lost 304 to 428 (a spread of -124) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Sidorsky in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #71. Current record: 14-13, +250.
Round 28		Sherman played #148 Paul Sidorsky (Calgary AB) and lost 458 to 459 (a spread of -1) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Sidorsky in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #81. Current record: 14-14, +249.
Round 29		Sherman played #168 John Viloria (New York, NY) and lost 404 to 423 (a spread of -19) . The last time these two played was 2003-10 at: STAMFORD, CT Sherman's record vs. Viloria in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: W. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #96. Current record: 14-15, +230. Sherman is mentioned in this round's photo captions (4 hits).
Round 30		Sherman played #55 Daniel Goodwin (Seattle, WA) and won 371 to 343 (a spread of 28) . Before this event, Sherman had not played Goodwin in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #81. Current record: 15-15, +258. Sherman is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit).
Final Round 1		Sherman is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit). Sherman is mentioned in this round's photo captions (1 hit).
Final Round 2		Sherman is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit). Sherman is mentioned in this round's photo captions (1 hit).
Final Round 3		Sherman is mentioned in this round's photo captions (2 hits).

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