USSO 2006 Player Roster: Detailed, Geographical

Photo

Name

Rating

Home

Division

Wes Morrison

60, Retired

Rating: 1396

Record: 24th (2005)

Home: Klawock, AK

Hobbies: PIcking wild berries - making jam

Richard Ganguet

60, Retired Farmer

Rating: 1330

Record: 80th (1996), 42nd (1998), 97th (2000), 90th (2002), 58th (2004), 122nd (2005)

Home: Cuba, AL

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2004-01 Jackson, MS

Hobbies: Biking, Reading

Martin Weisskopf

Age withheld, Astrophysicist

Rating: 1582

Record: 279th (1985), 12th (1987), 162nd (1988), 137th (1992), 121st (1994), 54th (1996), 118th (1998), 50th (2000), 132nd (2004)

Home: Huntsville, AL

Awards and Tournament Wins: Goddard Prize of the SPIE (2006), Rossi Prize of the American Astronomical Society (2004), Presidentail Rank Award (2003

Hobbies: Playing Basketball, Watching Cubs Lose

Mary Ellen Weisskopf

Age withheld, Professory of Computer Science

Rating: 1458

Record: 253rd (1985), 13th (1987), 158th (1988), 122nd (1992), 128th (1994), 103th (1996), 37th (1998), 82nd (2000), 95th (2004)

Home: Huntsville, AL

Hobbies: Reading, Cooking, Watching Cubs lose

Dave Balthaser

42, occupation withheld

Rating: 1452

First-time competitor

Home: Skipperville, AL

Awards and Tournament Wins: Pigeon forge 2006 Div 3 winner , !82-84-3 overall NSA

Hobbies: Hunting, cycling, triathlons

Kaye Kiker

55, Self Employed Antique Dealer & Stained Glass Artisan

Rating: 1303

Record: 63rd (1996), 63rd (1998), 100th (2000), 79th (2002)

Home: York, AL

Awards and Tournament Wins: Presidental Medal presented by President Ronald Reagan at White House Luncheon in 1988.

Hobbies: Environmental Justice, Historic Restoration, Visual & Performing Arts

Travis Chaney

32, Fast food management

Rating: 1717

Record: 16th (2002), 46th (2004), 74th (2005)

Home: Fort Smith, AR

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2005-04 Jonesboro, AR

Hobbies: Poetry composition, collecting jazz records

Patty Camp

56, Retired

Rating: 1129

Record: 10th (2004), 17th (2005)

Home: Paragould, AR

Hobbies: gardening, traveling

Jack Howe

68, Retired

Rating: 723

Record: 87th (2005)

Home: Paragould, AR

Hobbies: gardening, travel

Jim Lamerand

59, Computer Programmer

Rating: 1661

Record: 89th (1985)

Home: Chandler, AZ

Hobbies: Chess

Larry Rand

62, retired

Rating: 1806

Record: 93rd (2002), 67th (2005)

Home: Chandler, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: Co-director of the year 2003; Dickinson College sports hall of fame

Hobbies: Travel, photography and family

Karin Somerville

62, retired

Rating: 925

First-time competitor

Home: Chandler, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1. place, div. 6. phoenix Feb 2006

Hobbies: Sudoku, crosswords

Barbara Van Alen

71, Retired

Rating: 1385

Record: 185th (1988), 121st (2004), 105th (2005)

Home: Chandler, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: NSA Co-DIrector of the Year 2004

Hobbies: Travel, Hiking, Reading, Photography

Paul Stabin

50, Mortgage Consultant

Rating: 863

First-time competitor

Home: Fountain Hills, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: Top Producer, Closing Proficiency, & Peer Service Awards,

Hobbies: Chess, piano, martial arts

Doug Bobkovich

Age withheld, ADMINISTRATION/ACCOUNTING

Rating: 1186

Record: 25th (2002)

Home: Gilbert, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1ST PLACE - DIVISION 6 - PHX - FEB, 2002 1ST PLACE - DIVISION 3 - PHX - OCT, 2001 EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AT WORK, 2003

Hobbies: COLLECTING KEYCHAINS, PINT GLASSES, M&M DISPENSERS. ATTENDING SPORTING EVENTS, CONCERTS, & MOVIES. PLAYING BOARD GAMES

Edna Perry

75, Retired

Rating: 470

First-time competitor

Home: Gilbert, AZ

Hobbies: Crafts:knitting, crochet

Cathy Coking

42, Writer

Rating: 1369

First-time competitor

Home: Glendale, AZ

Hobbies: Painting, hiking, reading

Jane Geary

49, Teacher

Rating: 1357

Record: 80th (1996)

Home: Glendale, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: Teaching the game of Scrabble to my daughter and my students

Hobbies: Reading; sharing my love of words with Colleen and my students

Patrick Hodges

36, Billing Clerk

Rating: 1823

Record: 2nd (2002), 71st (2004)

Home: Glendale, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: League Champ, 2004-2005, Phoenix Scrabble Club; 2nd Place, Div. 3., 2002 Nationals

Hobbies: Golf, Bowling, Movies

Gary Smart

50, Chemist

Rating: 1416

First-time competitor

Home: Glendale, AZ

Hobbies: Photography, darts

Jacqueline Stewart

46, Communications Tech

Rating: 1247

Record: 22nd (1998), 22nd (2002)

Home: Glendale, AZ

Hobbies: Cooking, Reading, Bike Riding, Hiking, Bowling, Camping and Traveling

Susan Watrous

58, retired

Rating: 698

First-time competitor

Home: Goodyear, AZ

Hobbies: cooking, reading, movies, grandmothering

Con Downey

71, retired Geologist

Rating: 1172

First-time competitor

Home: Mesa, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2d place AZ senior spelling bee

Hobbies: politics, religion, philosophy, science, blue route travel

Robert Readle

70, retired

Rating: 1147

Record: 59th (2000), 52nd (2002), 14th (2004), 62nd (2005)

Home: Oro Valley, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: still breathing

Hobbies: racquetball, fishing, camping, unvesting, reading

Ed Saunders

59, Golf Course Maintenance

Rating: 1510

Record: 111th (2002), 29th (2005)

Home: Oro Valley, AZ

Hobbies: Music, Sports, Nature

Judith Whitcomb

67, Retired

Rating: 1243

First-time competitor

Home: Patagonia, AZ

Hobbies: Jewelry maker, paper arts crafter, rubber stamper

Robert Whitcomb

74, Retired scientist

Rating: 1396

First-time competitor

Home: Patagonia, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: 300 research papers; 4 oral history books; 1 poetry book

Hobbies: Oral history, scientific field research

Erik Anderson

40, Senior Engineering Techncian

Rating: 1092

First-time competitor

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: I've never received a fragile award that was indescripably beautiful to remind us of the Fourth of July.

Hobbies: Sports, Programming, Math, Science, Finance, Other strategy games

Donna Atwood

Age withheld, Graphic Designer (Currently pursuing masters in design at Arizona State)

Rating: 1051

First-time competitor

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: Four children's books in print

Hobbies: Printmaking, artists' books, gardening, reading, movies, travel

Max Avalon

73, Retired

Rating: 805

First-time competitor

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: Tennis Trophies,Chess Trophies,Scrabble award

Hobbies: Tennis,Chess,Scrabble,Dancing

Bonnie Cohn

63, social worker

Rating: 1003

First-time competitor

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Hobbies: volunteerism, travel, indie film, reading,

Robert Collins

41, freelance Musician

Rating: 919

First-time competitor

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Hobbies: Bowling

Kurt Davies

27, Travel Agent

Rating: 1441

Record: 67th (2004), 11th (2005)

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: I'm the coolest person you'll ever meet. Just ask my mom.

Hobbies: Travel, Blogging, World Conquest

Steve Desch

36, professor

Rating: 958

First-time competitor

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Hobbies: astronomy

Jim Geary

39, gambolero

Rating: 1810

Record: 1st (1992), 36th (1994), 11th (1996), 6th (1998), 18th (2000), 68th (2002), 65th (2004), 52nd (2005)

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: Western Intercollegiate Chess 1990; 20+ Scrabble Tourneys; 2nd place, Jack Rabbit Slim's Twist Contest, 1994

Hobbies: studying music, exercise, blogging: walterzuey, betting the Royals, riding bike midday past the 3-piece suits

Jeff Jacobs

26, occupation withheld

Rating: 705

First-time competitor

Home: Phoenix, AZ

James Johnson

Age withheld, Telephone Customer Service Rep

Rating: 1086

Record: 70th (2000), 84th (2002), 132nd (2004), 67th (2005)

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: Picked All the Top 5 Oscar categories for 2004 correctly

Hobbies: Scrabble, going to the movies

Jeffrey Kastner

56, Chess and Sudoku columnist

Rating: 1810

Record: 12th (1987), 55th (1988), 62nd (1989)

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: One of few ever to be rated USA-Top-50 in both chess and Scrabble

Hobbies: Movies, theater, travel, ballroom dancing

Andy Ludwig

25, retail

Rating: 714

First-time competitor

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Hobbies: music, movies

Tammy Ross

Age withheld, teacher

Rating: 848

First-time competitor

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Muriel Sparrow Reedy

63, retired

Rating: 1152

Record: 77th (1998), 110th (2002), 156th (2004)

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Hobbies: scrapbooking, swimming

James Wait

77, Retired office machine dealer

Rating: 1308

Record: 174th (1985), 10th (1987), 147th (1988), 133rd (1989)

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Hobbies: Travel Reading

Louella Wier

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 1060

First-time competitor

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Michael Wier

Age withheld, Land Surveyor

Rating: 1525

Record: 14th (2004)

Home: Phoenix, AZ

Jane Bernes

52, occupation withheld

Rating: 832

First-time competitor

Home: Scottsdale, AZ

Luther Durant

65, REAL ESTATE INVESTOR

Rating: 1082

First-time competitor

Home: Scottsdale, AZ

Hobbies: HIKING

Pat Durant

Age withheld, REAL ESTATE INVESTOR

Rating: 810

First-time competitor

Home: Scottsdale, AZ

Hobbies: INTERIOR DESIGNER

Sarah King

44, office clerk

Rating: 1317

Record: 22nd (1998), 111th (2000), 38th (2002), 35th (2004), 125th (2005)

Home: Scottsdale, AZ

Hobbies: play scrabble

Bonnie Surguine

Age withheld, realtor

Rating: 545

First-time competitor

Home: Scottsdale, AZ

Hobbies: swimming, knitting, skiing, snorkeling,scrapbooking

Laurie Cohen

Age withheld, Research Director

Rating: 1823

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

Home: Tempe, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2003-12 Tucson, AZ

Hobbies: movies, travel

Barbara Gray

70, Retired (bluehair)

Rating: 1319

Record: 58th (2002), 167th (2004), 53rd (2005)

Home: Tempe, AZ

Naurlene Canterman

59, housewife

Rating: 1486

Record: 10th (1987), 20th (1988), 30th (1994), 120th (2005)

Home: Tucson, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: directing clubs for many years, co-directed very first club Tucson, AZ

Hobbies: writer/in the midst of mystery Scrabble book & child poetry book

Judy Carlock

46, Editor

Rating: 1093

First-time competitor

Home: Tucson, AZ

Hobbies: downill skiing, foreign movies

Karen Lundeen

66, Teacher

Rating: 1032

Record: 58th (2002), 58th (2005)

Home: Tucson, AZ

Hobbies: Tennis

Jeremiah Ramirez

25, Pharmacy Technician

Rating: 946

First-time competitor

Home: Tucson, AZ

Hobbies: Poker, soccer and reading.

Michael Rhodes

32, Professional Singer

Rating: 1109

First-time competitor

Home: Tucson, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: First place in division at Phoenix (2005), Las Vegas (2005), Pigeon Forge (2006)

Hobbies: Classical music

Lewis Saul

53, Composer

Rating: 1555

Record: 67th (1994)

Home: Tucson, AZ

Awards and Tournament Wins: Published and performed composer

Hobbies: Film

Bob Yarmchuk

55, Retired

Rating: 1591

Record: 6th (2005)

Home: Tucson, AZ

Hobbies: Gardening, numismatics

Dan Unger

54, Psychologist

Rating: 1493

Record: 71st (1985), 13th (1987), 90th (1988), 119th (1989), 77th (1990), 28th (2002), 48th (2005)

Home: Alameda, CA

Hobbies: Hiking, Folk dancing

Jim Laris

65, Retired

Rating: 512

First-time competitor

Home: Altadena, CA

Hobbies: Traveling, Golf, Reading

Scott Anderson

23, Grad Student

Rating: 1728

Record: 24th (2004)

Home: Berkeley, CA

Hobbies: Vegan cooking, reading

Leesa Berahovich

39, Gymnastics

Rating: 1034

First-time competitor

Home: Berkeley, CA

Hobbies: Art, Exercise, Kids, Reading

Whitney Gould

Age withheld, WRITER

Rating: 894

Record: 5th (2004), 71st (2005)

Home: Berkeley, CA

Hobbies: Hiking, Bicycling, Running

Nick Meyer

Age withheld, Graduate Student

Rating: 1926

Record: 50th (2004), 77th (2005)

Home: Berkeley, CA

Hobbies: Baseball, tennis, crossword puzzles

Mary Aline Stevens

54, occupation withheld

Rating: 1419

Record: 49th (2002), 37th (2005)

Home: Berkeley, CA

Mollie Braverman

77, Retired accountant & electrologist

Rating: 1271

Record: 44th (1994), 11th (1996), 62nd (1998), 62nd (2000), 73rd (2002), 89th (2004)

Home: Camarillo, CA

Hobbies: Reading, crossword puzzles, walking, dancing

Maddy Golob

Age withheld, High School Math Teacher

Rating: 1784

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

Home: Canyon Country, CA

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

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

Bruce Baginski

26, None

Rating: 731

First-time competitor

Home: Concord, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: spelling bee

Hobbies: computer games

Nancy Johnson

59, Retired Court Reporter

Rating: 1346

Record: 24th (2002)

Home: Corona, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: top 10 in state court reporting exam, celebrating 40th wedding anniversary in AZ

Hobbies: running, hiking, cycling, grandchildren!

Pat Yarnell

59, Retired Court Reporter

Rating: 1491

Record: 13th (1994), 21st (1996), 40th (1998), 48th (2000), 40th (2002), 99th (2005)

Home: Corona Del Mar, CA

Roy Kamen

51, Sales Rep/ Shuttle Driver around Disneyland

Rating: 1692

Record: 54th (1996), 114th (1998), 38th (2000), 66th (2002), 33rd (2004), 14th (2005)

Home: Covina, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Finished writing my 50,000+ flashcards this year!

Hobbies: Chess, Sudoku, Classic Rock Trivia

Lorraine Pariser

82, Retired

Rating: 923

Record: 9th (1987), 38th (1988), 48th (1994), 108th (1996), 90th (1998), 38th (2000), 65th (2002), 77th (2004), 79th (2005)

Home: Covina, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: ORT and City of Hope

Hobbies: Cards

Myrna Cohen

68, Retired

Rating: 1105

Record: 62nd (2002)

Home: Cupertino, CA

Hobbies: Bridge, Reading, Traveling

Pat Diener

Age withheld, QA Analyst

Rating: 1364

Record: 92nd (1998), 120th (2000), 44th (2002), 15th (2004), 100th (2005)

Home: Dublin, CA

Hobbies: scrabble, reading, minatures

JC Green

59, Restriction of Hazardous Substances program Manager

Rating: 923

Record: 75th (2000), 53rd (2002), 29th (2004), 78th (2005)

Home: East Palo Alto, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: World Record Holder-Roller Coaster Riding

Hobbies: None

Sam Kantimathi

Age withheld, Engineering Entrepreneur

Rating: 1791

Record: 131st (1985), 13th (1987), 31st (1989), 46th (1990), 15th (1992), 60th (1994), 82nd (1996), 46th (1998), 62nd (2000), 50th (2002), 67th (2004), 10th (2005)

Home: El Dorado Hills, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1994 Thai Cup; (27th) 1995 Superstars; 1997 $10,000 Manila; 2001-10 Wisconsin Dells, WI; 2001-10 Campbell, CA; 2001-12 Tucson, AZ; 2003-02 Tampa Bay, FL; (22nd) 2003 All*Stars; Guinness world record holder for highest-scoring opening move (BEZIQUE, 124)

Hobbies: Safaris, Photography, Worldwide travel, Making products for wordgame lovers, Snorkel, Hiking, Eating

Jerry Lerman

56, Risk Management Consultant

Rating: 1812

Record: 29th (1985), 14th (1987), 39th (1988), 47th (1994), 41st (1996), 16th (2000), 26th (2002), 64th (2004), 4th (2005)

Home: Foster City, CA

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

Hobbies: Reading, Local Newspaper Publishing, Chess

Lewis Martinez

Age withheld, Attorney

Rating: 1748

Record: 51st (1998)

Home: Fresno, CA

David Slavin

Age withheld, Electrical Engineer

Rating: 1303

Record: 87th (2005)

Home: Glendale, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: MSEE Stanford, 2nd place in poetry slam

Hobbies: Hiking, golf, poker

Margy Slavin

Age withheld, Retired Government Employee

Rating: 1355

Record: 22nd (1994), 25th (1996), 78th (2000), 126th (2002), 89th (2005)

Home: Glendale, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: PUBLISHED POET

Hobbies: READING, WRITING POETRY

David Poder

59, Physician

Rating: 1818

Record: 117th (1996), 105th (1998), 34th (2002), 13th (2004), 66th (2005)

Home: Huntington Beach, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2004-06 Mediterranean Cruise; (4th) 2004-07 Reno, NV; (13th) 2004 NSC; (2nd) 2005-07 California Seniors

Hobbies: Golf

Robin Torrance

49, teacher

Rating: 1577

Record: 49th (1998), 3rd (2000), 46th (2002), 88th (2004), 22nd (2005)

Home: Idyllwild, CA

Hobbies: drumming

Khim Clarke

30, Business Owner

Rating: 684

First-time competitor

Home: Irvine, CA

Hobbies: Spa, Yoga

Ellis Wyer

84, Retired

Rating: 1398

Record: 208th (1985), 11th (1987), 139th (1988), 97th (1990), 143rd (1992), 107th (1994), 101th (2002), 116th (2004), 37th (2005)

Home: La Jolla, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: swam the Hellespont 2 years before my 1st Scrabble tourney (1978)

Hobbies: swimming

Andre Ornish

15, student

Rating: 1386

Record: 26th (2002), 24th (2004), 16th (2005)

Home: La Mesa, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2nd place National School Scrabble Championship 2004, 3rd place National Scrabble Championship 2005

Hobbies: Table tennis, tennis, snowboarding, sleeping, computer games, LANs

Tom Singleton

Age withheld, Accountant

Rating: 1747

Record: 10th (1987), 54th (2002), 61st (2004), 81st (2005)

Home: Laguna Hills, CA

Mark Milan

47, Softwre QA Test Engineer

Rating: 1654

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

Home: Laguna Niguel, CA

Hobbies: Cooking, gardening

Cecile Betts

88, Author & motivational speaker

Rating: 665

Record: 69th (1994), 76th (1996), 119th (1998), 84th (2002)

Home: Laguna Woods, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Author of RELUCTANT PIONEER

Hobbies: writing

Mark Landsberg

68, unemployed philosopher

Rating: 1862

Record: 3rd (1988), 80th (1994), 37th (1998), 8th (2002)

Home: Laguna Woods, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 770 point game-- three times senior champion---father of Marcus

Hobbies: table tennis

Gary Moss

63, Educator

Rating: 1527

Record: 25th (1989), 59th (1990), 19th (1992), 45th (1994), 75th (1996), 74th (1998), 38th (2002), 98th (2005)

Home: Laguna Woods, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Scrabble Sn. Hall of Fame / Michigan Minuteman Award

Hobbies: Gourmet Cooking

Cindy Quinn

Age withheld, Retired

Rating: 1548

Record: 92nd (2002), 91st (2005)

Home: Laguna Woods, CA

Hobbies: Stained Glass, Opera, Theatre, Music, Travel

Jeannie J Wilson

47, Special Ed. Aide

Rating: 1439

Record: 40th (2000), 61st (2002), 158th (2004)

Home: Livermore, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2nd place - 4th grade spelling bee.

Hobbies: anything that has to do with art.

Alan Kait

65, Musician

Rating: 827

First-time competitor

Home: Lompoc, CA

Hobbies: Flying & Music

Esther Kisich

Age withheld, Retired Speech Pathologist

Rating: 1143

Record: 10th (1987), 76th (1988), 14th (2002), 93rd (2005)

Home: Long Beach, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: accepted graciously

Hobbies: Create rug wall hangings

David Pearl

36, Financial Planner

Rating: 1716

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

Home: Long Beach, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: New Orleans d2

Hobbies: Tennis, Golf, Reading, Music, Film

Gwen Bishop

84, Retired

Rating: 1268

Record: 10th (1987), 34th (1992), 35th (1994), 99th (1996), 39th (1998), 112th (2000), 29th (2002), 93rd (2004)

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1997 Director of the Year/Director Longest Running Tourney in West US 18yrs

Hobbies: bridge, community service

Ira Cohen

59, electrical contractor

Rating: 1804

Record: 13th (1987), 81st (1988), 20th (1996), 10th (1998), 23rd (2000), 15th (2002), 38th (2004), 34th (2005)

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

Bruce D Ambrosio

52, retired computer programmer

Rating: 1671

Record: 59th (1988), 45th (1994), 17th (1996), 55th (1998), 80th (2000), 98th (2002), 164th (2004), 49th (2005)

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Southern California Scrabble Hall of Fame honoree

Hobbies: movies, spectator sports

Lawren Freebody

49, Aircraft Interiors Designer

Rating: 1579

Record: 34th (1996), 4th (1998), 81st (2000), 71st (2005)

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 4th Pl., Div. 2, Chicago NSC 1998

Hobbies: Digital Photography, Cooking

Margaret Hughes

76, Retired

Rating: 919

Record: 49th (2002), 49th (2004), 30th (2005)

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: None

Hobbies: Gardening, singing, sewing

Judy Levitt

60, retired lawyer

Rating: 1747

Record: 24th (1994), 63rd (2002), 126th (2004), 7th (2005)

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2nd highest game (after Mr. 770)-- 756; high word - 302; tied for most bingos in one game - 7

Hobbies: working on the revolution

Sandy Nang

Age withheld, Practice Support Coordinator

Rating: 1242

Record: 17th (2002), 46th (2004), 10th (2005)

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Hobbies: Crosswords, Culinary Mysteries

Elizabeth Ralston

61, Software Developer

Rating: 1219

Record: 21st (2005)

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Fred III Rible

30, Teacher

Rating: 1072

Record: 41st (2004)

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Getting married 8/14/2004

Hobbies: Movies, Comic Books, Computers, Balloon Art

Peter Skaggs

Age withheld, Editor

Rating: 1574

Record: 51st (1985)

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Pamela Stubblefield

48, Substitute Teacher

Rating: 1334

Record: 26th (2004), 14th (2005)

Home: Los Angeles, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: First place, Division I, West Los Angeles Tourney, May 2004

Hobbies: Word games, puzzles

Alan Whitman

60, Software developer

Rating: 1543

Record: 72nd (1998), 100th (2002), 108th (2005)

Home: Los Gatos, CA

Hobbies: Model trains

Mitch Bayersdorfer

44, Director, Program Management

Rating: 1570

Record: 6th (2004)

Home: Menlo Park, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Co-Director, Palo Alto Scrabble Club

Hobbies: Home Automation, Cooking

Jeremy Hall

28, Copy Editor

Rating: 870

First-time competitor

Home: Menlo Park, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Valedictorian of my high school class of one

Hobbies: Yahoo! Word Racer, travel, movies

Emely Weissman

Age withheld, Realtor

Rating: 1560

Record: 37th (1978), 26th (2002), 8th (2005)

Home: Menlo Park, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Phi Beta Kappa, lotsa college Greek and Latin prizes

Hobbies: Opera, ancient history

Bennett Jacobstein

49, Systems Manager

Rating: 1428

Record: 75th (2000), 135th (2002), 127th (2005)

Home: Milpitas, CA

Hobbies: Visiting County Courthouses

Lynn Gunn

56, Information Tech support and trainer

Rating: 1222

Record: 54th (1994), 13th (1996), 56th (2000), 95th (2002), 82nd (2005)

Home: Mission Viejo, CA

Hobbies: movies, dogs, reading

Conrad Bassett-Bouchard

16, Student

Rating: 1740

Record: 28th (2005)

Home: Moraga, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Surviving 4 simultaneous AP classes

Hobbies: Drums, Ultimate/Disc golf

Jeff Widergren

44, Software Engineer

Rating: 1786

Record: 14th (1987), 54th (1988), 56th (1989), 21st (1992), 34th (1994), 32nd (1996), 40th (1998), 37th (2000), 76th (2002), 39th (2004), 35th (2005)

Home: Morgan Hill, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 95 WSC Team, 2nd 95 Reno, 20+ local wins, highest US play 338 pts

Hobbies: Golf, Children

Paula Catanese

Age withheld, Human Resources

Rating: 1510

Record: 83rd (2000), 126th (2002), 46th (2004), 92nd (2005)

Home: Mountain View, CA

Hobbies: Travel

S Spencer Sun

33, computer programmer

Rating: 1482

Record: 43rd (2005)

Home: Novato, CA

Hobbies: poker, hockey, astronomy

Charlotte Bremond

57, Elem. Teacher

Rating: 721

Record: 115th (1998), 44th (2002), 66th (2004)

Home: Oakland, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Teacher of the Year

Hobbies: Sports fan

Joan Mocine

64, Paralegal/Editor

Rating: 1440

Record: 7th (1987), 62nd (1988), 14th (1989), 134th (1990), 116th (1992), 36th (1994), 7th (1996), 101th (1998), 27th (2000), 86th (2002), 115th (2005)

Home: Oakland, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Combo Nobel Prize for Literature and Physics, Person Who Remembers to Get Coffee Award

Hobbies: Painting, singing and traveling

Cynthia Pughsley

58, Computer Programmer/Customer Service Rep

Rating: 1602

Record: 109th (1985), 12th (1987), 98th (1988), 38th (1989), 35th (1994), 60th (1996), 115th (1998), 93rd (2000), 117th (2002), 117th (2004), 67th (2005)

Home: Oakland, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Just living is my award & achievement

Hobbies: Games - Board & Electronic

Lester Schonbrun

70, Legal Assistant/Computers

Rating: 1882

Record: 16th (1980), 9th (1985), 15th (1987), 34th (1988), 75th (1989), 2nd (1990), 4th (1992), 54th (1994), 6th (1996), 16th (1998), 41st (2000), 61st (2002), 69th (2004), 14th (2005)

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.

Mike Carlson

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 915

First-time competitor

Home: Ontario, CA

Eric Johnston

16, high school student

Rating: 1288

First-time competitor

Home: Palo Alto, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2004 National School SCRABBLE champion, 1st place team

Hobbies: soccer, skiing, golf

Felix Kwok

26, Graduate Student

Rating: 1584

First-time competitor

Home: Palo Alto, CA

Susie Page

74, Writer

Rating: 1279

Record: 11th (1994), 104th (1996), 76th (1998), 15th (2000), 66th (2002), 137th (2004), 109th (2005)

Home: Panorama City, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Authored two books

Hobbies: Docent at LA ZOO

Cesar Del Solar

22, Engineer

Rating: 1647

First-time competitor

Home: Pasadena, CA

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

Fred Rible

52, Project Manager, US Navy

Rating: 1387

Record: 13th (2004)

Home: Poway, CA

Hobbies: Sudoku, Crosswords, Spiritual Endeavors

Kevin Burbridge

38, C.O.O.

Rating: 1376

Record: 27th (2005)

Home: Roseville, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: collegiate soccer all-american

Hobbies: watching sports, wrestling with my kids, taking my wife on dates

John Ortman

45, Financial Analyst

Rating: 1490

Record: 71st (2005)

Home: Roseville, CA

Hobbies: Doubles Volleyball and guitar

Amnon Igra

59, researcher

Rating: 1415

Record: 11th (2004), 84th (2005)

Home: Sacramento, CA

Gretchen Cowan

71, RETIRED TEACHER

Rating: 1341

Record: 9th (1987), 52nd (1996), 31st (2002), 79th (2005)

Home: San Clemente, CA

Hobbies: political activist'reading'travel

Carol Kaplan

59, Paralegal

Rating: 1657

Record: 113th (1994), 84th (1996), 80th (1998), 54th (2000), 70th (2002), 65th (2004), 13th (2005)

Home: San Diego, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Director of San Diego Scrabble Club #76 since 1992

Hobbies: Travel,Reading,Gardening

Cason Lane

36, Writer & communications manager

Rating: 1549

Record: 10th (1996), 56th (2002), 64th (2004)

Home: San Diego, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: placed in regional scrabble tourneys; 10th in division at 1996 Nationals; professional awards for journalism/communications

Hobbies: Hiking, dining, piano composition

Rusty Peltz

33, Software engineer

Rating: 1854

Record: 4th (2000), 43rd (2002), 96th (2004), 36th (2005)

Home: San Diego, CA

Hobbies: baseball, golf

Andrea Michaels

46, NAMER, PUZZLE WRITER, FILM REVIEWER

Rating: 1407

Record: 29th (1994), 44th (1996), 119th (1998), 63rd (2000), 27th (2002), 22nd (2004), 62nd (2005)

Home: San Francisco, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: WHEEL OF FORTUNE MOTORHOME WINNER; SHOWTIME'S FUNNIEST PERSON IN CALIFORNIA WINNER 1986

Hobbies: FILM, TRAVEL

Marina A Villena

Age withheld, Secretary

Rating: 1100

Record: 55th (2004), 28th (2005)

Home: San Francisco, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Accessibility Employee of the Quarter, Employee of the Quarter

Hobbies: Listening to Music, watching tv

Jim Barker

59, Sr. Staff, Psy. Social Worker, Retired

Rating: 945

Record: 188th (1988), 24th (2002), 34th (2004), 47th (2005)

Home: San José, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: former Olympic Trials Qualifier-Marathon, Best 50 Mile Race in USA,1977

Hobbies: Long distance running,cycling,tennis, writing,church work

Bryan Goolsby

62, Retired

Rating: 1452

Record: 86th (1992), 61st (2005)

Home: San Jose, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: none

Hobbies: hiking, bicycling, fishing

John Karris

43, Attorney

Rating: 1600

Record: 14th (1996), 66th (1998), 16th (2000), 128th (2002), 30th (2004)

Home: San Jose, CA

Hobbies: Landscaping, koi ponds, cats, dogs

Kar-mun Wong

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 944

First-time competitor

Home: San Jose, CA

Rick Wong

Age withheld, Web Development

Rating: 1715

Record: 42nd (1994), 109th (1998), 19th (2000), 29th (2002), 7th (2004), 12th (2005)

Home: San Jose, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: NSA AB member since 2003

Hobbies: Geocaching

T C Houlgate-West

68, Retired; part-time bridge teacher

Rating: 1391

Record: 50th (1994), 26th (1996), 51st (1998), 76th (2000), 102th (2002), 31st (2005)

Home: San Luis Obispo, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Many awards for poetry

Hobbies: Bridge, writing, poetry, ESOL tutoring, travel

Bruce M Halverson

Age withheld, retired

Rating: 1123

Record: 89th (2002), 110th (2005)

Home: Santa Barbara, CA

Hobbies: breakfasts, baseball, gardening, music, travel

Jeanne Freebody

46, Retired Chiropractor. Now it's about Healing Me.

Rating: 1450

Record: 96th (2002), 18th (2005)

Home: Santa Cruz, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: a few 3rds (including Danbury), a few 2nds, + one first (san fran)

Hobbies: meditation, singing, dance, dharma, & california dreamin'!

Helen Burns

Age withheld, Retired

Rating: 866

Record: 7th (1987), 102th (1988), 60th (1994), 54th (1996), 87th (2000), 97th (2002), 144th (2004), 72nd (2005)

Home: Santa Monica, CA

Kevin Rickhoff

Age withheld, Student

Rating: 1659

Record: 52nd (2004), 19th (2005)

Home: Saugus, CA

Hobbies: Go

Laura Rickhoff

Age withheld, MATH TUTOR

Rating: 832

First-time competitor

Home: Saugus, CA

Paul Rickhoff

55, Engineer

Rating: 644

Record: 119th (2005)

Home: Saugus, CA

Alan Stern

46, Courier dispatcher

Rating: 1665

Record: 133rd (1985), 12th (1987), 117th (1988), 105th (1994), 57th (1996), 41st (1998), 33rd (2000), 75th (2002), 85th (2004)

Home: Shadow Hills, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: One half of "Highest Rated Couple" early 90's, in high school voted "Most Likely to Allow a Future 770-Point Game"

Hobbies: Baseball, blurting out humorous one-liners, pets

R Jason Sommer

61, Retired Beach Bum

Rating: 1492

Record: 13th (1987), 115th (1994), 53rd (1996), 71st (2002), 18th (2004), 70th (2005)

Home: Solvang, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: None that would be of interest to my Peers......

Hobbies: Watching TV news and playing ISC simultaneously.

David Hermanson

46, Technical Supervisor

Rating: 1698

Record: 19th (2002), 122nd (2004)

Home: Temple City, CA

Hobbies: Adventure travel, 3D animation

Rachel Knapp

Age withheld, Accountant

Rating: 1667

Record: 15th (2005)

Home: Tustin, CA

Maliha Mahmood

60, Office Manager

Rating: 894

Record: 74th (2002), 24th (2005)

Home: Tustin, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: First Place, poetry contest while at the University of the East

Hobbies: Crafts and oil painting; horticulture/gardening

Trey Wright

32, Freelance pianist

Rating: 1909

Record: 2nd (1998), 12th (2000), 29th (2002), 1st (2004), 30th (2005)

Home: Van Nuys, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2nd place, Chicago Nationals 1998; 1st place, Atlanta 2002; 2nd place, Tampa 2004; 1st place, New Orleans Nationals 2004

Dan Read

50, Library Tech

Rating: 811

First-time competitor

Home: Vista, CA

Arna Schutz

Age withheld, Housewife

Rating: 1125

Record: 6th (1987), 81st (2005)

Home: West Hills, CA

Joel Elkins

42, Law Student

Rating: 1746

Record: 70th (1988), 12th (2000), 125th (2002), 84th (2004)

Home: West Hollywood, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Reigning Club 44 Champion

Hobbies: Baseball and, oh, I don't know, Scrabble

Marian Melendez

84, Retired

Rating: 798

Record: 102th (2005)

Home: Westminster, CA

Hobbies: Theatre, Movies, Music, Reading, Travel

Eva Bartholomeusz

68, Housewife

Rating: 635

Record: 60th (2002), 71st (2004), 124th (2005)

Home: Winnetka, CA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Had 2nd place in 2 club tournaments

Hobbies: Reading, Walking, Working Puzzles, Sudoku

Doug Brockmeier

22, Grad Student

Rating: 1774

Record: 1st (2002), 2nd (2005)

Home: Yorba Linda, CA

Hobbies: eating, reading, writing, music, movies

Diane Manown

44, Translator

Rating: 607

Record: 26th (2004)

Home: Carbondale, CO

Phil Spry

53, Pilot

Rating: 1145

Record: 28th (2004)

Home: Colorado Springs, CO

Hobbies: running, playing poker

Paul Phillips

34, Dilettante

Rating: 1449

First-time competitor

Home: Denver, CO

Laura Scheimberg

60, substitute teacher

Rating: 1715

Record: 114th (1988), 132nd (1989), 10th (2000), 85th (2002), 123rd (2004), 30th (2005)

Home: Littleton, CO

Hobbies: acting, portraits, reading, travel

Dominick Mancine

32, Software engineer

Rating: 1802

Record: 99th (2004), 15th (2005)

Home: Louisville, CO

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2nd place Pinewood Derby, 1982; Tallest rated Scrabble player in Colorado

Hobbies: computers

Angela Dancho

Age withheld, Mom and nursing student

Rating: 687

First-time competitor

Home: Thornton, CO

Hobbies: Scrapbooking, reading

Brenda Casey

Age withheld, French Professor

Rating: 1327

Record: 118th (2004), 54th (2005)

Home: Guilford, CT

Hobbies: tennis, golf, piano

Neva Slater

83, Retired

Rating: 857

Record: 45th (1989), 119th (1992), 33rd (1994), 36th (1996), 64th (1998), 54th (2000), 23rd (2002), 24th (2004), 80th (2005)

Home: Manchester, CT

Hobbies: Bowling

Jesse Day

18, Student

Rating: 1600

Record: 6th (2005)

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

Robert Ellickson

65, Law Professor

Rating: 1888

Record: 189th (1985), 13th (1987), 20th (1989), 69th (1990), 18th (1992), 46th (1994), 38th (1998), 84th (2000), 25th (2002), 17th (2004)

Home: New Haven, CT

Robert Quigley

19, Student, Gardener

Rating: 1596

First-time competitor

Home: New Haven, CT

Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Music

Terry Kang

Age withheld, Attorney, writer, aspiring Jeopardy contestant

Rating: 1442

Record: 5th (2002), 169th (2004)

Home: Newington, CT

Awards and Tournament Wins: Most frequently "Winterized."

Hobbies: Traveling, cooking, reading, tennis.

Stefan Rau

30, Physician (in residency)

Rating: 1839

Record: 159th (2004)

Home: Newington, CT

Hobbies: Fantasy baseball

John Babina

34, Entrepreneur

Rating: 1548

Record: 7th (1996), 130th (1998), 92nd (2000), 78th (2002), 23rd (2004)

Home: Norwalk, CT

Awards and Tournament Wins: Received only a 440 on my verbal SAT, Yet broke 1600 in SCRABBLE Rating

Hobbies: Boating, Piano

Karen Fishman

49, Real Estate Salesperson

Rating: 1562

Record: 78th (2004), 49th (2005)

Home: Stamford, CT

Awards and Tournament Wins: Three 2nd place finishes, always a bridesmaid never a bride

Hobbies: Tennis, Volleyball

Annette Bailey

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 1419

Record: 61st (2000)

Home: Town Withheld, CT

Joseph Jokubaitis

43, Matador

Rating: 1469

Record: 52nd (2000), 47th (2002), 129th (2004), 109th (2005)

Home: Watertown, CT

Hobbies: knitting, anarchy

Shelley Sullivan

33, Construction Estimator

Rating: 1146

First-time competitor

Home: Windsor Locks, CT

Hobbies: Reading, Movies, Broadcasting

Alyssa Faria

31, occupation withheld

Rating: 1644

First-time competitor

Home: Washington, DC

Ted Gest

Age withheld, Journalist

Rating: 1272

Record: 290th (1985), 75th (1990), 107th (2005)

Home: Washington, DC

Bob Kilpatrick

61, EEO Specialist

Rating: 1304

Record: 131st (1988), 139th (1989), 27th (1990), 26th (1992), 134th (1998), 19th (2000), 154th (2004), 9th (2005)

Home: Washington, DC

Austin Nichols

Age withheld, Economist

Rating: 1003

First-time competitor

Home: Washington, DC

Hobbies: Pool

Ruth Brower

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 771

First-time competitor

Home: Hockessin, DE

Jan Feidel

63, teacher

Rating: 1049

Record: 60th (2004)

Home: Milton, DE

Awards and Tournament Wins: PEN poetry translation fellowship

Hobbies: swimming, basketball,tennis,reading

Cecilia Le

Age withheld, journalist

Rating: 1831

Record: 88th (2004), 41st (2005)

Home: Wilmington, DE

Awards and Tournament Wins: kent gardens elementary spelling bee champ

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

Rod MacNeil

32, freelance sportswriter, citizen of Red Sox Nation

Rating: 1827

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

Home: Wilmington, DE

Awards and Tournament Wins: Winner of: Boston (Div A) 2004; Cape Cod '99, '00, '03; Rhombus Cup '03; 22 total first-place finishes

Hobbies: hockey, fantasy sports, movies, 24, blogging, sushi with C, monkey taming

Richard Popper

54, Attorney

Rating: 1547

Record: 118th (2004), 41st (2005)

Home: Wilmington, DE

Awards and Tournament Wins: First Division C, Stamford, May 2004

Hobbies: Bridge

Trip Payne

38, puzzlemaker

Rating: 1834

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

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

Arthur Finkle

63, Financial Services

Rating: 1433

Record: 46th (1994), 129th (1998), 86th (2000), 84th (2002), 90th (2004), 80th (2005)

Home: Coral Gables, FL

Hobbies: Tennis, Skiing, Boating, Basketball, Charities

Ian Weinstein

40, physician

Rating: 1896

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

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

Roy Dixon

59, Sales Consultant

Rating: 1515

Record: 10th (1987), 10th (1988), 2nd (1990), 161st (1992), 51st (1996), 5th (1998), 22nd (2000), 29th (2002), 29th (2004), 31st (2005)

Home: Dade City, FL

Hobbies: Tennis, Backgammon, Poker

Steve Glass

52, Realtor/Loan Officer/Tax Preparer

Rating: 1760

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

Home: Dade City, FL

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

Michael Eldeiry

36, Professor

Rating: 1366

First-time competitor

Home: Davie, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: 5 firsts, 5 seconds in lower division events.

Hobbies: Reading, movies

Dawn Doyle

Age withheld, Retired

Rating: 1052

Record: 80th (2004), 78th (2005)

Home: Ft Lauderdale, FL

Hobbies: Golf, Bridge, Travel

Burke Riley

71, Banking

Rating: 1028

Record: 74th (1996), 15th (1998), 52nd (2000), 88th (2002), 25th (2004)

Home: Ft Lauderdale, FL

Hobbies: Tennis, Singing

Polly Lenzen

82, Retired

Rating: 726

Record: 60th (2004), 52nd (2005)

Home: Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Hobbies: golf, bowling, bridge, Curves, painting

Ralph King

59, Construction

Rating: 1298

Record: 58th (1996), 96th (1998), 21st (2000), 2nd (2002), 10th (2004), 21st (2005)

Home: Gainesville, FL

Hobbies: Novice triathate

Robert Nellis

73, Retired

Rating: 1339

Record: 5th (2002), 43rd (2004), 48th (2005)

Home: Glennview, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: Placed in a few SCRABBLE tourneys, won some club golf

Hobbies: Golf, Swimming, Bridge, Poker, Gin Rummy, All Sports

Mark Gooley

45, none

Rating: 1328

Record: 8th (2004), 36th (2005)

Home: Hawthorne, FL

Hobbies: reading, gardening

Judy Ford

66, Retired attorney

Rating: 1349

Record: 29th (1996), 61st (2000), 23rd (2002), 105th (2004), 50th (2005)

Home: Hollywood, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: U. of Miami Magna cum laude grad., Nova Southeastern Law Review

Hobbies: Reading, traveling, singing, crossword puzzles, hiking

Edward Gordon

53, Software Engineer

Rating: 1222

First-time competitor

Home: Hollywood, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: Senior Member IEEE

Hobbies: Photography

Jeff Cooley

20, occupation withheld

Rating: 1078

First-time competitor

Home: Jacksonville, FL

Ossie Mair

74, Retired Photographer

Rating: 1322

Record: 35th (1996), 82nd (1998), 109th (2000), 119th (2002), 166th (2004)

Home: Lauderhill, FL

Hobbies: Scrabble, Photography, Coin Collecting

Benjamin Bloom

31, Z-Coil represntative to the disabled community

Rating: 1531

Record: 78th (2002), 100th (2004), 83rd (2005)

Home: Miami, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: Scrabble By The Sea (Israel) Champion Oct. 2004, Winner Div 2 Kissimee, FL Dec. 2004

Hobbies: watching paint dry

Steve Polatnick

61, attorney at law

Rating: 1856

Record: 17th (1978), 11th (1980), 8th (1983), 16th (1985), 14th (1987), 11th (1988), 35th (1989), 25th (1990), 28th (1992), 21st (1994), 13th (1996), 33rd (1998), 27th (2000), 36th (2002), 58th (2004), 63rd (2005)

Home: Miami, FL

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

Hobbies: tennis, bicycle touring, foreign languages

Richard Savitt

66, retired lawyer

Rating: 1290

Record: 39th (2000), 61st (2002), 120th (2004), 34th (2005)

Home: Miami, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: regional level winner in nsc and acbl events

Hobbies: golf duplicate bridge

Carl Stocker

74, emeritus professor

Rating: 1732

Record: 48th (1978), 20th (1980), 86th (1985), 10th (1987), 109th (1988), 93rd (1990), 50th (1992), 78th (1994), 47th (1996), 20th (1998), 83rd (2000), 19th (2002), 165th (2004)

Home: Miami, FL

Hobbies: piano, tennis, computers,photography

Paul Haverly

40, restaurant manager

Rating: 1545

Record: 2nd (2002), 11th (2004)

Home: Mount Dora, FL

Hobbies: fantasy sports comedy writing

Howard Pistol

49, Finance

Rating: 1720

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

Home: Oakland Park, FL

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

Hobbies: Travel

Marilena Souza

70, Retired

Rating: 1002

Record: 65th (2004), 76th (2005)

Home: Pembroke Pines, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: Ft. Lauderdale City Champ - Tennis - Div. A & B

Hobbies: tennis, scuba dive

Mary E Capria

73, Retired

Rating: 565

Record: 31st (2004), 123rd (2005)

Home: Pompano Beach, FL

Hobbies: Volunteer Elementary School Tutor

Paul Cole

23, Medical Laboratory Assistant

Rating: 1255

First-time competitor

Home: St. Augustine, FL

Hobbies: independent film production, unicycling, literature, fly fishing, gambling

John Gove

64, Retired

Rating: 1546

Record: 13th (1987), 201th (1988), 58th (2004), 97th (2005)

Home: Sun City Center, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: many and varied, mostly for failures in the above; 2004-11 Tampa Bay, FL

George Rogers

66, Retired

Rating: 1218

Record: 136th (1992), 46th (1996), 73rd (1998), 85th (2000), 124th (2002), 129th (2004)

Home: Tamarac, FL

Hobbies: Coin collecting

Thomas E Wood

48, Labor Productivity Specialist

Rating: 1337

Record: 97th (1998), 71st (2000), 95th (2004)

Home: Valrico, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2005 Peach 40+ C Doubles Champion

Hobbies: Tennis, Bowling, Theatre, Science Fiction

Robert Felman

47, Gastroenterologist

Rating: 1629

Record: 55th (2004), 76th (2005)

Home: Venice, FL

Awards and Tournament Wins: Div2 Melrose 2000, Fellow Amer Coll Gastroenterology

Hobbies: Clarinet, Tennis, Woodworking

Dave Leifer

60, Corporate Tax Director

Rating: 1660

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

Home: Alpharetta, GA

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

Hobbies: Sports, Music, Fitness

Thomas ORourke

Age withheld, md land developer coach

Rating: 1196

Record: 7th (2004)

Home: Alpharetta, GA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 7th div 6 2004

Hobbies: golf

Toni Douglas

78, retired court transcriber

Rating: 1348

Record: 106th (1992), 75th (1994), 59th (1996), 13th (1998), 45th (2000), 130th (2002), 114th (2004), 121st (2005)

Home: Atlanta, GA

Hobbies: Scrabble

Gregory Fanoe

24, Actuary

Rating: 1137

First-time competitor

Home: Atlanta, GA

Avis Turner

75, Retired Teacher

Rating: 890

Record: 58th (1996), 71st (1998), 14th (2000), 75th (2005)

Home: Decatur, GA

Hobbies: Bridge

Andrew Fanoe

20, Student

Rating: 1119

First-time competitor

Home: Marietta, GA

Cynthia Seales

58, BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY TECH

Rating: 1513

Record: 15th (1994), 38th (1996), 120th (1998), 10th (2000), 23rd (2002), 72nd (2004), 69th (2005)

Home: Stone Mountain, GA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2003-10 Memphis, TN; NSA AB member since 2003

Hobbies: HOME REMODELING,SEWING,BOWLING

Ray Smith

47, Computer specialist

Rating: 1785

Record: 120th (1998), 69th (2000), 4th (2005)

Home: Tucker, GA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2003-01 Rome, GA; 2003-09, 2004-09 Atlanta, GA; 2004-05 Athens, GA

Hobbies: Pinball, walking, computers

Mark Pistolese

Age withheld, retired

Rating: 1878

Record: 81st (1994), 36th (1998), 20th (2000), 6th (2002), 31st (2005)

Home: Pahoa, HI

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2003-11 Fort Lauderdale, FL

Hobbies: swimming, hiking, board games

Greg Heidler

49, attorney

Rating: 1728

Record: 9th (1987), 11th (1992), 14th (1994), 14th (1998), 13th (2000), 37th (2002), 4th (2004), 65th (2005)

Home: Waialua, HI

Hobbies: tennis

Devonna Gee

55, Office Manager

Rating: 1240

Record: 44th (1996), 17th (2002), 163rd (2004), 55th (2005)

Home: Cedar Rapids, IA

Hobbies: Reading, puzzles, bunco

Dave Hurd

76, Retired

Rating: 656

Record: 34th (2004)

Home: Des Moines, IA

Hobbies: rowing, bicycling, environmental issues

Mark Movic

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 712

First-time competitor

Home: Des Moines, IA

Chuck Riordan

52, Veterinarian

Rating: 1026

First-time competitor

Home: Des Moines, IA

Hobbies: Golf

Ron Barker

59, soc security

Rating: 1094

Record: 12th (2000), 19th (2002), 6th (2004), 55th (2005)

Home: Boise, ID

Awards and Tournament Wins: 3 great kids!! plus won state champ 13 mile footrace in CA and AZ in masters div

Hobbies: fresh air-aerobic

Jan Dickey

Age withheld, Retired Teacher

Rating: 690

First-time competitor

Home: Boise, ID

Hobbies: Golf, tennis

Dan Doerrfeld

17, Student

Rating: 500

First-time competitor

Home: Algonquin, IL

Hobbies: Tennis

Leonard Doerrfeld

73, Retired

Rating: 755

Record: 11th (2004)

Home: Algonquin, IL

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2004 NATIONALS DIV.7 BEST RECORD OF A SENIOR

Hobbies: WOODWORKING,GARDENING,READING

Lisa Slankard

52, pharmacist

Rating: 1458

Record: 24th (2004), 28th (2005)

Home: Arlington Heights, IL

John Stryker

Age withheld, Assitant Professor

Rating: 537

First-time competitor

Home: Buffalo Grove, IL

Hobbies: Baseball, backgammon

Scott Hawkins

29, Editor

Rating: 756

First-time competitor

Home: Champaign, IL

Hobbies: playing and watching sports

Marty Gabriel

54, School Social Worker

Rating: 1872

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

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: basketball, golf, tennis, softball, White Sox, Bulls, Bears

Daiva Markelis

49, English Professor

Rating: 1348

Record: 43rd (2000), 143rd (2004)

Home: Charleston, IL

Awards and Tournament Wins: teacher of the year

Hobbies: reading, classical music, White Sox baseball

Jeremy Cahnmann

31, Umpire

Rating: 1497

First-time competitor

Home: Chicago, IL

Hobbies: baseball, politics & having a good time

Brian Cappelletto

36, trader

Rating: 1969

Record: 16th (1987), 15th (1988), 42nd (1989), 10th (1990), 3rd (1992), 4th (1996), 1st (1998), 2nd (2000), 4th (2002), 5th (2004), 11th (2005)

Home: Chicago, IL

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

Hobbies: golf, impersonations, fantasy baseball

Diane Pietrzak

35, Nonprofit administration

Rating: 943

Record: 147th (2004)

Home: Chicagoland, IL

Awards and Tournament Wins: I lost on Jeopardy!

Hobbies: Biking, knitting, hiking, Christian music, Chicago Cubs

Melissa Routzahn

36, Bilingual Teacher - Elementary Ed.

Rating: 1511

Record: 31st (2004), 53rd (2005)

Home: Crystal Lake, IL

Hobbies: Inventing ridiculous Scrabble crafts

Gina DuMez

79, Retired

Rating: 1154

Record: 12th (1987), 182nd (1988), 19th (1990), 175th (1992), 56th (1994), 63rd (1996), 34th (1998), 2nd (2002), 45th (2004), 32nd (2005)

Home: Elgin, IL

Awards and Tournament Wins: won 2nd place in my division in San Diego 2002

Hobbies: Poker, Line dancing

David Dahl

40, Reporter

Rating: 835

First-time competitor

Home: Peoria, IL

Hobbies: Coffee roasting, running

John Fultz

34, Software Developer

Rating: 1077

First-time competitor

Home: Savoy, IL

Awards and Tournament Wins: Contributor to Quackle project

Hobbies: Retro video games, all manner of board games, viola

Julia Bogle

54, Controller

Rating: 1349

Record: 131st (1998), 104th (2000), 134th (2002), 57th (2005)

Home: Indianapolis, IN

Hobbies: Reading, Sudoku, Scrabble

Scott McDougall

32, Sales

Rating: 1363

Record: 94th (1998), 18th (2000), 1st (2002), 37th (2004), 25th (2005)

Home: Indianapolis, IN

Awards and Tournament Wins: NSC Div 5 1st Plac

Hobbies: weight training rollerhockey

Marcia Wade

59, teacher

Rating: 1338

Record: 10th (1987), 118th (1988), 96th (1989), 130th (1990)

Home: Muncie, IN

Adam Boocher

20, Student

Rating: 1126

First-time competitor

Home: South Bend, IN

Hobbies: Math, Theater, Movies, Reading

Ricky Sirois

27, Teacher

Rating: 1117

Record: 5th (2005)

Home: Overland Park, KS

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2005 Arden Cup -- Division E -- 3rd place

Hobbies: poetry; video games; movies; music

Kevin Sears

18, Student

Rating: 763

First-time competitor

Home: Louisville, KY

Candace Hurley

35, US Army

Rating: 894

Record: 86th (2005)

Home: Vine Grove, KY

Hobbies: RUNNING, BOWLING, RACQUETBALL, HIKING, PINOCHLE

Maneck Contractor

58, Housewife

Rating: 1235

Record: 39th (1996), 86th (1998), 66th (2000), 43rd (2002), 40th (2004)

Home: Kenner, LA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st place in Bridge - Jefferson Parish Senior Olympics

Hobbies: Bridge

Lila Crotty

54, Retired

Rating: 1428

Record: 28th (2004)

Home: Metairie, LA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2005-01 Yazoo City, MS

Hobbies: Calligraphy

Lindsay Crotty

23, College Grad Looking for a Job

Rating: 923

Record: 45th (2004)

Home: Metairie, LA

Hobbies: Currency Trading, Cooking

Kenji Matsumoto

21, Student

Rating: 1915

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

Home: Amherst, MA

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

Hobbies: philosophy

David Mallick

31, Editor

Rating: 1667

Record: 88th (2000), 108th (2002), 157th (2004)

Home: Andover, MA

Hobbies: Live music, foreign languages

Diana Spiller

57, Dental Office Manager

Rating: 1473

Record: 6th (2000), 59th (2002), 48th (2004), 9th (2005)

Home: Ashby, MA

Hobbies: Pottery, Private Pilot

Aaron Jacobs

14, student

Rating: 1256

Record: 11th (2005)

Home: Brookline, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: National School Scrabble Champion

Hobbies: baseball

Catherine Day

Age withheld, Personal Assistant

Rating: 704

Record: 77th (2005)

Home: Cambridge, MA

Hobbies: Bookbinding, reading

Ben Harrison

35, Software Engineer

Rating: 1499

Record: 2nd (2004), 1st (2005)

Home: Cambridge, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st place 2005 NSC div 4

Hobbies: Ultimate, Weight Lifting

Jason Katz-Brown

19, MIT undergraduate, Google summer intern

Rating: 1943

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

Home: Cambridge, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2006 Boston Area Tournament Champion

Hobbies: Open-source software development (see http://quackle.org), table tennis

Betsey Wood

65, retired math teacher

Rating: 1090

Record: 85th (2004)

Home: Concord, MA

Hobbies: photography, gardening, writing, yoga, tutoring and traveling

Mary Ellen Bergeron

54, Library Media Specialist

Rating: 1209

Record: 14th (2000), 48th (2004)

Home: Florence, MA

Hobbies: Scrapbooking

Arnie Horowitz

53, social worker

Rating: 1625

Record: 145th (1985), 12th (1987), 116th (1989), 98th (1990), 103th (1992), 131st (1994), 82nd (1996), 56th (1998), 26th (2000), 95th (2002), 141st (2004), 104th (2005)

Home: Framingham, MA

Hobbies: crossword puzzles, basketball, poker

Paul Becker

72, retired teacher

Rating: 725

Record: 24th (2004)

Home: Holden, MA

Hobbies: golf, sports, antiques, history

Seth Lipkin

43, Co-owner of software development company

Rating: 1616

First-time competitor

Home: Hopkinton, MA

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

Hobbies: Spreading self thin

Bob Becker

42, High School Science Teacher

Rating: 1439

Record: 65th (2004), 69th (2005)

Home: Jefferson, MA

Hobbies: Travel, games, golf

Jacob Bergmann

58, Teacher

Rating: 1449

First-time competitor

Home: Lexington, MA

Hobbies: Violin

Ben Greenwood

Age withheld, Educator

Rating: 1604

Record: 8th (1996), 1st (1998), 11th (2000), 86th (2002), 19th (2004), 16th (2005)

Home: Lexington, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1998 NSC Division 3 Winner.

Hobbies: Scrabble

Gregg Foster

55, writer

Rating: 1465

Record: 53rd (1998), 95th (2000), 69th (2002), 42nd (2004)

Home: Manchester-by-the-sea, MA

Hobbies: reading, walking, online gaming

Paul Mcquade

Age withheld, retired school teacher

Rating: 679

First-time competitor

Home: Millbury, MA

Hobbies: bicycling, golfing , reading

Daniel Fogel

17, Student

Rating: 1827

Record: 20th (2005)

Home: Newton, MA

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

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

Nat Gardenswartz

17, Student

Rating: 1601

Record: 1st (2005)

Home: Newton, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2005 Division 5 Winner at Nationals, 2006 Division B winner at BAT, Bronfman Fellow, 2003 Olympiyeda at the Technion, Be

Hobbies: Reading, Learning, Socializing, Creative writing, Journalism, Discussing Philosophy

Judy Horn

63, Retired

Rating: 1653

Record: 37th (1990), 58th (1994), 39th (1998), 93rd (2000), 13th (2002), 36th (2004)

Home: Readin, MA

Hobbies: Travel, Mah Jongg

Joel Horn

49, Computer engineer

Rating: 1731

Record: 172nd (1988), 155th (1990), 88th (1992), 119th (1998), 83rd (2000), 44th (2002), 98th (2004)

Home: Reading, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: won Albany, 2001; 2004-10 Lake George, NY

Hobbies: Sports, Mah Jongg

Brendan Sullivan

21, student

Rating: 1233

Record: 4th (2005)

Home: Shrewsbury, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Hamilton College Varisty Cribbage, national champs over Harvard

Hobbies: golf, cribbage, improv comedy

Elaine Patterson

Age withheld, retired medical assistant

Rating: 1655

Record: 122nd (1985), 12th (1987), 99th (1988), 66th (1989), 56th (1990), 66th (1992), 110th (1994), 41st (1996), 56th (1998), 87th (2000), 63rd (2002), 39th (2004), 59th (2005)

Home: Stoughton, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Won BAT tournament twice 2nd Division

Hobbies: movies, reading, travel

Mark Fidler

Age withheld, teacher

Rating: 1701

Record: 206th (1985), 80th (1989), 65th (1990), 60th (1992), 37th (1994), 37th (1996), 112th (1998), 45th (2000), 91st (2002), 51st (2004), 44th (2005)

Home: Waltham, MA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st Place, Arizona Books Awards (children's lit), 2005 for The Call of Sagarmatha; 1st place, Scr. Div 1, Orange CT 2002

Hobbies: writing, golf, cycling, reading

Pat Patrick

62, Retired

Rating: 875

Record: 88th (2004)

Home: Westfield, MA

Roberta Wechter

62, Retired

Rating: 1264

Record: 42nd (2000), 73rd (2004), 62nd (2005)

Home: Westfield, MA

Hobbies: Books, Tennis, Travel

John Cheras

55, Logistics

Rating: 1059

First-time competitor

Home: Whitinsville, MA

Hobbies: Golf , Scrabble

Joe Becker

29, Parts & Acc. Mangr

Rating: 585

Record: 126th (2005)

Home: Worcester, MA

Hobbies: Golf, mountain biking, motorcycles

Donna Anderson

Age withheld, Social Worker

Rating: 977

First-time competitor

Home: Arnold, MD

Hobbies: reading, writing, cooking, volleyball

Peter Armstrong

33, GIS Analyst

Rating: 1839

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

Home: Baltimore, MD

Awards and Tournament Wins: Arden Cup 2004

Hobbies: Ultimate Frisbee

Lorraine Burton

66, Retired, Part-time Marketing Assistant

Rating: 1307

Record: 78th (1994), 112th (2002), 125th (2004)

Home: Baltimore, MD

Awards and Tournament Wins: Several tournament wins

Hobbies: boggle, backgammon, pinochle, actress

David Engelhardt

54, Administrative Manager

Rating: 1576

Record: 225th (1985), 25th (1998), 35th (2000), 45th (2002), 16th (2004), 27th (2005)

Home: Baltimore, MD

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2005-03 York, PA

Marlon Hill

Age withheld, WRITER

Rating: 1819

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

Home: Baltimore, MD

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

Hobbies: MUSIC

Sharon Moser

46, teacher

Rating: 1497

Record: 168th (1985)

Home: Baltimore, MD

Hobbies: reading, "flea marketing," softball, moderating school Scrabble Club (130 students, grades 5-8)

Sammy Okosagah

Age withheld, Restaurant Manager

Rating: 1944

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

Home: Baltimore, MD

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

Hobbies: Soccer, Music

Edward Stewart

Age withheld, bank processing supervisor

Rating: 1383

Record: 81st (2005)

Home: Baltimore, MD

Hobbies: karaoke, reading, and playing pinochle

Linda Stephanides

63, RETIRED

Rating: 1034

First-time competitor

Home: Bowie, MD

Awards and Tournament Wins: SCRABBLE CLUB DIRECTOR

Hobbies: MAH JONGG, COOKING

Brian Galebach

35, Electrical Engineer

Rating: 1006

First-time competitor

Home: Columbia, MD

Awards and Tournament Wins: Sang in 1996 Grammy winning classical recording

Hobbies: Piano, Singing, Curling

Kay Patterson

62, piano teacher

Rating: 1608

Record: 58th (2000), 50th (2002), 107th (2004)

Home: Columbia, MD

Hobbies: movies, travel, opera

Gwen Stewart

Age withheld, government employee

Rating: 1086

Record: 18th (2005)

Home: Ellicott City, MD

Hobbies: reading, playing pinochle

Linda Oliva

48, College Professor

Rating: 1313

Record: 91st (2002), 16th (2004), 78th (2005)

Home: Lisbon, MD

Carole Denton

55, Medical Office Manager

Rating: 1497

Record: 88th (2002), 83rd (2004)

Home: New Carrollton, MD

Awards and Tournament Wins: won 3 games on "Jeopardy" 1995

Hobbies: traveling, cooking, wine, gardening, cats, books, movies, music

Mary Lou Goetz

70, Retired

Rating: 785

First-time competitor

Home: Odenton, MD

Awards and Tournament Wins: None

Hobbies: Playing Mah Jongg

Joanne Cohen

59, foreign language teacher

Rating: 1618

Record: 39th (1985), 39th (1989), 73rd (1990), 82nd (1992), 136th (2004)

Home: Owings Mills, MD

Hobbies: reading; world travel

Robert Linn

Age withheld, Financial Advisor and Money Manager

Rating: 1832

Record: 11th (1987), 87th (1988), 87th (1989), 94th (1990), 93rd (1992), 106th (1994), 62nd (1996), 18th (1998), 48th (2000), 18th (2002), 72nd (2004), 82nd (2005)

Home: Potomac, MD

Awards and Tournament Wins: 31st in Kuala Lumpur 2003 World Scrabble Championships, played for 12 years on a nationally ranked paintball team

Hobbies: tennis, ping pong, travel

Teresa Schaeffer

Age withheld, Teacher

Rating: 1127

Record: 71st (1990), 71st (1992), 5th (1994), 119th (1996), 12th (1998), 56th (2000), 92nd (2002), 138th (2004), 83rd (2005)

Home: Potomac, MD

Diana Grosman

59, Office Administrator

Rating: 1533

Record: 67th (1985), 115th (1989), 127th (1990), 94th (1992), 41st (2000), 75th (2002), 70th (2004)

Home: Reisterstown, MD

Hobbies: Reading, bowling, crossword puzzles

Brian Bailey

32, Biomedical technology transfer specialist

Rating: 1343

First-time competitor

Home: Rockville, MD

Hobbies: Travel, visiting all 390 National Park units

KC Frodyma

24, writer/editor

Rating: 865

First-time competitor

Home: Silver Spring, MD

Hobbies: cello, hiking, swimming

Joey Mallick

26, Chart-man

Rating: 1868

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

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

L Cheryl Francis

56, Retired

Rating: 909

Record: 64th (2000), 12th (2002), 65th (2004), 69th (2005)

Home: Indian Island, Old Town, ME

Hobbies: Sewing, Reading and Biking

Manan Biyani

26, Graduate Student

Rating: 903

First-time competitor

Home: Ann Arbor, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Seattle Open Division 5 Winner

Hobbies: Photography, Cooking

Stephen Knapp

48, occupation withheld

Rating: 1699

Record: 28th (2004), 64th (2005)

Home: Battle Creek, MI

Mason Shambach

57, Pastor

Rating: 1701

Record: 16th (2000), 61st (2002), 74th (2004), 88th (2005)

Home: Battle Creek, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Alaska Cruise Scrabble Tournament champion

Hobbies: Swimming

Kit Morehead

47, Ophthalmic Photographer

Rating: 1518

Record: 12th (1998), 90th (2000), 65th (2002), 40th (2004)

Home: Berkley, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Second Place, 2005 Hector Invitational; 2001-10 Battle Creek, MI; 1999-03 Flint, MI

Hobbies: Photography, Gardening, Treasure Hunting, Crossword Puzzles, Spending Time With Hecky

Scott Pianowski

37, Web Journalist

Rating: 1695

Record: 33rd (2000), 33rd (2002), 82nd (2004)

Home: Berkley, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2005-04 Farmington, MI; 2000-07 Milan Invitational

Hobbies: Music, most sports, poker, roto, hanging with Kit

Carolyn Easter

47, Doctor of Optometry

Rating: 1528

Record: 25th (2000), 68th (2002), 80th (2004), 24th (2005)

Home: Birmingham, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Involved in giving the "gift of sight" ie free eyeglasses and exams to the needy here and abroad. Recent trip to Panama.

Hobbies: hiking, antiques, travel

Steve Anstandig

54, Electrical Contractor

Rating: 1470

Record: 91st (2004), 17th (2005)

Home: Commerce Township, MI

Hobbies: Gardening, Bowling and Reading

Ernestine Jackson

71, Retired Elementary School Principal

Rating: 577

Record: 120th (1998), 35th (2004), 125th (2005)

Home: Flint, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: ABWA Woman of the Year, NOPHSAA Alumni Member of the Year, Outstanding Optimist President of thr Year

Hobbies: Bowling, Card Playing, Reading,

Dorothy Laws

76, retired teacher

Rating: 1286

Record: 74th (1998), 50th (2004)

Home: Flint, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st place Winner in my division

Hobbies: music

Madelon Krissoff

Age withheld, Physician

Rating: 1225

Record: 13th (1998), 15th (2000), 102th (2002)

Home: Grand Rapids, MI

Hobbies: Reading, Traveling

Arthur Vantol

62, Property Manager

Rating: 834

Record: 112th (2005)

Home: Grandville, MI

Florence Laatz

Age withheld, Music Ministry

Rating: 1130

Record: 167th (1988), 20th (1990), 33rd (1992), 61st (1994), 63rd (1996), 109th (1998), 99th (2000), 81st (2002), 56th (2004), 96th (2005)

Home: Harrisville, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Director, Harrisville MI Scrabble Club No. 115. Former director, Livonia MI Scrabble Club No. 115

Hobbies: Singing, playing guitar

Paul Epstein

54, Social Worker

Rating: 1769

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

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

Ron Hoekstra

38, Accountant

Rating: 1802

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

Home: Kentwood, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2000 Canadian Champion; 2004-06 Port Huron, MI; 2004-10 Petosky, MI

Hobbies: hockey, keyboards, languages

Jeff Clark

49, engineer

Rating: 1560

Record: 230th (1985), 27th (2000), 53rd (2002), 11th (2004), 102th (2005)

Home: Linden, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2005-02 Columbus, OH

Hobbies: backgammon, running, poker, waterskiing

Jason J Smith

29, 9th Grade English Teacher

Rating: 1351

First-time competitor

Home: Mason, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award

Hobbies: Alternative Country Music

Cheryl Melvin

57, labor relations

Rating: 1331

Record: 58th (2000), 44th (2002), 106th (2004), 90th (2005)

Home: Muskegon, MI

Hobbies: grandchildren

Danny Kidd

58, Retired

Rating: 1282

Record: 98th (1998), 49th (2000), 118th (2002), 25th (2004), 114th (2005)

Home: New Boston, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: 3 wonderful kids

Hobbies: biking, yard work, teach school SCRABBLE, babysit

Carol Ravichandran

45, District Administrator

Rating: 1596

Record: 1st (1994), 32nd (1996), 104th (1998), 84th (2000), 109th (2002), 149th (2004), 107th (2005)

Home: Northville, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2002 Director of the Year, Div 3 Winner 1994 Nationals

Hobbies: Gardening, Golf, Jigsaw Puzzles, Word Puzzles

Amanda Hubble

32, Project Management Associate

Rating: 1042

Record: 26th (2005)

Home: Oxford, MI

Bob Enszer

64, Retired Chemistry/Biology Teacher

Rating: 1625

Record: 151st (1985), 108th (1988), 28th (1989), 49th (1990), 45th (1992), 99th (1996), 70th (2002), 28th (2004), 72nd (2005)

Home: Saginaw, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Some Teacher Awards, Who's Who Among American Teachers

Hobbies: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of SVSU; gardening

Evelyn Enszer

84, Retired real estate broker

Rating: 1225

Record: 244th (1985), 173rd (1988), 109th (1989), 110th (1990), 145th (1992), 85th (1996), 97th (2002), 139th (2004), 100th (2005)

Home: Saginaw, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Recognition in Real Estate, 3 Children, 9 Grandchildren, Sev. Greatgrandchildren

Hobbies: Gardening, Bowling, Cards

Alex Fiszbein

16, student

Rating: 1538

Record: 4th (2004), 23rd (2005)

Home: South Lyon, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: won first tournament at age 11

Hobbies: baseball, video games, trombone

Jeff Fiszbein

49, clinical pharmacist

Rating: 1673

Record: 33rd (2002), 87th (2004), 55th (2005)

Home: South Lyon, MI

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2004 Arden Cup Div B winner

Hobbies: baseball, basketball, Frisbee golf, philately

Carol Dustin

57, typesetter

Rating: 1494

Record: 75th (1996), 54th (2000), 15th (2002), 68th (2004), 97th (2005)

Home: Minneapolis, MN

Awards and Tournament Wins: Scrabble Club Director; Holder of Club 42's record high play at 302 points (COEQUATE)

Greg Edwards

Age withheld, cubicle-based electronic paper pusher

Rating: 1512

Record: 42nd (2004), 78th (2005)

Home: Minneapolis, MN

Awards and Tournament Wins: Arden Cup Division C Winner, 2006

Hobbies: primarily cycling and writing

Nadine Jacobson

Age withheld, Homemaker

Rating: 1321

First-time competitor

Home: Minneapolis, MN

Hobbies: Reading, Advocate for the blind

Chris Nelson

32, Accountant

Rating: 810

First-time competitor

Home: Minneapolis, MN

Mary Atwood

Age withheld, Insurance/Claims Adjuster

Rating: 1380

Record: 117th (1998), 100th (2000), 128th (2002), 76th (2005)

Home: Roseville, MN

Hobbies: Antiquing, Baseball, Movies, Reading

Jim Kramer

47, Proofreader

Rating: 1939

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

Home: Roseville, MN

Janice Kaye

Age withheld, attorney

Rating: 953

Record: 34th (2005)

Home: Saint Paul, MN

Susan Rhea

37, School Psychologist

Rating: 1374

Record: 57th (2004)

Home: Saint Paul, MN

Hobbies: Movies, reading, camping, walking

Lisa Odom

47, Quality Assurance Analyst

Rating: 1788

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

Home: St. Louis Park, MN

Awards and Tournament Wins: 3-time World Championship participant

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

Stephanie Steele

45, Mama

Rating: 1422

Record: 23rd (2002), 159th (2004), 60th (2005)

Home: St. Paul, MN

Awards and Tournament Wins: Starred in the award winning 1982 film, Satan's Blade (only available on video)

Hobbies: cracking the whip and napping

Sheri Justice

40, Nanny

Rating: 1152

Record: 17th (2005)

Home: Kansas City, MO

Awards and Tournament Wins: undefeated 7-0 +680 at July 16th 2005 St. Louis tournament

Hobbies: Tennis, scrapbooking, movies, dogs, reading, crossword puzzles

David Gremaud

41, Pharmacist

Rating: 1417

Record: 35th (2005)

Home: St. Louis, MO

Hobbies: Biking, Gardening, Reading

William Guignon

Age withheld, sales

Rating: 1544

First-time competitor

Home: St. Louis, MO

David Weiss

44, Professor

Rating: 1375

Record: 133rd (2004)

Home: Billings, MT

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st place (division 3) at Reno MLK 2004

Hobbies: Movies, hiking, skiing, travel

Marty Levine

63, Classified Advertising Rep

Rating: 1079

Record: 58th (2005)

Home: Bozeman, MT

Awards and Tournament Wins: Best racquetball player over 60 in Bozeman-well, maybe 10th best

Hobbies: Racquetball, Antique Postcards, Nature, Yosemite National Park

Jesse Cromer

30, occupation withheld

Rating: 1237

Record: 3rd (2002), 21st (2004)

Home: Charlotte, NC

Awards and Tournament Wins: Won the Masters at Pigeon Forge 2003. Third in the nation San Diego 2002 in Div. 6

Hobbies: Following the Pittsbugh Steelers... and following the Pittsburgh Steelers!!!

Todd Pfalzgraf

Age withheld, real estate typhoon

Rating: 1271

Record: 96th (2002), 64th (2005)

Home: Charlotte, NC

Awards and Tournament Wins: 8th grade perfect attendance

Hobbies: evicting bad people

Susan Bertoni

38, Stay-at-home Mom

Rating: 954

First-time competitor

Home: Clemmons, NC

Awards and Tournament Wins: Two bright, entertaining kids and a loving (and Scrabble-tolerant) husband

Hobbies: Reading, sleeping, and chauffeuring the kids

David Klionsky

44, Elementary School Teacher

Rating: 1045

First-time competitor

Home: Durham, NC

Awards and Tournament Wins: Coach of School SCRABBLE Club

Hobbies: Acting, Sound Design, Poker

John Luebkemann

Age withheld, Actuary

Rating: 1950

Record: 36th (1990), 49th (1992), 52nd (1994), 10th (1996), 13th (1998), 19th (2000), 12th (2004), 3rd (2005)

Home: Pineville, NC

Awards and Tournament Wins: Many Tournament wins places and shows over 22 years of play

Hobbies: Sudoku, Weight Training, Listening to Music

Anne Hay

Age withheld, retired

Rating: 1496

Record: 93rd (1985), 12th (1987), 42nd (1988), 122nd (1990), 63rd (1992), 40th (1994), 65th (1996), 84th (1998), 87th (2000), 116th (2002), 105th (2005)

Home: Raleigh, NC

Hobbies: reading

Bruce Shuman

65, retired

Rating: 1200

Record: 91st (2002), 46th (2004), 95th (2005)

Home: Wilmington, NC

Hobbies: library volunteer; feeding the homeless

George Asaka

42, Accounting/Administration

Rating: 1417

First-time competitor

Home: Omaha, NE

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2-time Sioux falls event winner (Scrabble), indoor soccer champ

Hobbies: soccer, table tennis, reading, basketball

Judi Shaw

61, Registered Nurse

Rating: 710

First-time competitor

Home: Laconia, NH

Awards and Tournament Wins: Member of NH 4,000 footer club

Hobbies: hiking, backpacking, camping, reading quilting, word games

Stella Russell

82, Retired

Rating: 1047

Record: 3rd (2000), 55th (2002), 26th (2004), 31st (2005)

Home: Manchester, NH

Hobbies: Crafts, Women's club, Church activities, choir member

Helena Gauthier

63, Housewife

Rating: 1383

Record: 12th (2000), 52nd (2004), 40th (2005)

Home: Merrimack, NH

Hobbies: Anagrams

Jeanne Gannon

54, Communications Associate

Rating: 1036

Record: 38th (2002), 58th (2004)

Home: Atlantic Highlands, NJ

Awards and Tournament Wins: placed third in Novice Division Berlin NJ Spring 2002 tourney

Hobbies: Square Dancing, Exercise, Reading

Sam Rosin

13, Student

Rating: 1224

Record: 80th (2004)

Home: Bernardsville, NJ

Derven Francis

Age withheld, Engineer

Rating: 1107

First-time competitor

Home: Bridgewater, NJ

Hobbies: Dominoes, poker, Sports Fanatic

Celia Thompson

Age withheld, High School Substitute teacher

Rating: 1378

Record: 296th (1985), 8th (1987), 13th (1988), 19th (1989), 62nd (1990), 41st (1992), 7th (1994), 82nd (1996), 44th (1998), 114th (2000), 117th (2002), 160th (2004), 95th (2005)

Home: Carneys Point, NJ

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st , 2nd , and 3rd place in tournaments ( back in the okd days ).BSChem, Marriage and a daughter

Hobbies: Traveling and shopping

Herb Lewis

44, Internal Auditor

Rating: 1268

Record: 36th (1996), 120th (1998), 55th (2000), 116th (2002), 162nd (2004)

Home: Cherry Hill, NJ

Awards and Tournament Wins: First Person to twice be on the Cover of Refunding Makes Sense Magazine

Hobbies: Couponing, Juggling

Elana Lekach

26, musician

Rating: 1102

First-time competitor

Home: Fair Lawn, NJ

Esla Ewida

76, University Instructor in E.S.L.

Rating: 1226

Record: 8th (1998), 35th (2000), 70th (2002), 35th (2004), 99th (2005)

Home: Jersey City, NJ

Hobbies: Music, reading, card games

Charlene White

67, Administrative Assistant

Rating: 1414

Record: 180th (1985), 14th (1987), 142nd (1988), 92nd (1989), 158th (1990), 16th (1994), 77th (1996), 22nd (1998), 89th (2000), 42nd (2002), 123rd (2004), 110th (2005)

Home: Kearny, NJ

Hobbies: Tennis, volleyball, mahjongg

Lynda Woods Cleary

Age withheld, Financial Consultant

Rating: 1167

Record: 105th (2000), 109th (2002), 94th (2004), 120th (2005)

Home: Princeton, NJ

Awards and Tournament Wins: Running for public office in New Jersey as a woman

Hobbies: Macrame, gardening, golf, traveling

Delores Arrington

65, Retired

Rating: 1208

Record: 97th (2004)

Home: Sicklerville, NJ

Awards and Tournament Wins: Teacher of the Year, SCRABBLE Trophies

Hobbies: Crosswords, Sudoku, Cryptograms

Betty C McDaniel

68, Retired Teacher

Rating: 1085

Record: 29th (2002), 143rd (2004)

Home: Sicklerville, NJ

Awards and Tournament Wins: Wrote and produced two plays

Hobbies: Singing, Writing, Travel

Cheryl Allen Munley

49, Traffic Engineer

Rating: 1003

First-time competitor

Home: Tewksbury Twp, NJ

Awards and Tournament Wins: National Transportation Institute Student of the Year, MIT Boit Manuscript Competition, Writers Digest Non-Fiction

Hobbies: Horses, Sidesaddle Riding, Carriage Driving, Vintage Dancing, Bicycling,Creative Writing

Scott Appel

Age withheld, statistician

Rating: 1921

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

Home: Trenton, NJ

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2003-08 Parsippany, NJ

Hobbies: Resident of Red Sox Nation, Toddler Chaser

Janet Buchbinder

Age withheld, Technical Writer

Rating: 1331

Record: 27th (2004), 29th (2005)

Home: Albuquerque, NM

Hobbies: Yoga, Dancing, Gardening, Traveling

Bill G Eastham

76, retired

Rating: 714

Record: 27th (2004), 109th (2005)

Home: Albuquerque, NM

Hobbies: music

Nancee Mancel

49, Community College Math Instructor

Rating: 1378

Record: 90th (2000), 82nd (2002), 44th (2004), 20th (2005)

Home: Albuquerque, NM

Awards and Tournament Wins: Who's Who in American College Teachers

Hobbies: button making, juggling

Jeff Martin

50, Control System Software

Rating: 1542

Record: 16th (2002), 128th (2004), 3rd (2005)

Home: Albuquerque, NM

Hobbies: Backpacking, Guitar

Stan Miranda

42, Physical Therapist

Rating: 1547

Record: 11th (1996), 26th (2002), 54th (2004), 26th (2005)

Home: Albuquerque, NM

Awards and Tournament Wins: Valedictorian in HS

Gertrude Savadge

83, Retired RN

Rating: 1302

Record: 11th (1987), 124th (1988), 172nd (1992), 28th (1994), 96th (1996), 52nd (1998), 78th (2002), 65th (2004), 49th (2005)

Home: Albuquerque, NM

Hobbies: crossword puzzles, card games

Patty Wayne

80, Retired

Rating: 1434

Record: 228th (1985), 159th (1992), 7th (1994), 86th (1996), 62nd (1998), 121st (2002), 100th (2004), 45th (2005)

Home: Albuquerque, NM

Hobbies: cooking, reading

Mike Baron

56, Psychologist

Rating: 1726

Record: 29th (1983), 70th (1985), 11th (1987), 44th (1988), 16th (1989), 30th (1990), 73rd (1992), 92nd (1994), 14th (1996), 79th (1998), 43rd (2000), 97th (2002), 145th (2004)

Home: Corrales, NM

Awards and Tournament Wins: The Wordbook (1988,1994,2004), The Blankbook (1992)

Hobbies: journal writing, traveling, golf, reading

Pamina Deutsch

52, Paralega

Rating: 1415

Record: 9th (1987), 60th (1988), 166th (1990), 167th (1992), 138th (2004)

Home: Corrales, NM

Hobbies: Gardening, Cooking, Pilates, Reading

Carol Jones

68, Retired RN

Rating: 955

First-time competitor

Home: Las Cruces, NM

Wallace Schultz

50, artist/teacher

Rating: 1647

Record: 61st (2004), 13th (2005)

Home: Las Vegas, NM

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st place (Lubbock 2003, Phoenix 2004, York 2004, Phoenix 2005)

Hobbies: hiking, photography, computer graphics, movies, reading, music, speaking truth to power

Susan Beard

57, Retired

Rating: 1482

Record: 64th (2000)

Home: Rio Rancho, NM

Hobbies: Contra dancing, gardening, reading, dog agility training

Mary C Parrish

51, Retired nurse

Rating: 1294

Record: 63rd (2000), 21st (2002), 114th (2004)

Home: Las Vegas, NV

Hobbies: camping, hiking, reading, geneology

Luise Shafritz

66, retired puppeteer, actress, writer

Rating: 1575

Record: 17th (1989), 1st (1990), 64th (1992), 73rd (1996), 87th (1998), 17th (2000), 59th (2004)

Home: Las Vegas, NV

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st Senior Champion, winner 1990 Open Division, Hall of Famer

Hobbies: quilting, bridge, travel

Jamila Atcha

63, Housewife

Rating: 1238

Record: 9th (1987), 58th (1988), 82nd (1994), 111th (2002), 139th (2004), 88th (2005)

Home: Laughlin, NV

Hobbies: Needle point, soaps

Al DeMers

81, optometrist

Rating: 981

Record: 10th (1987), 41st (1988), 150th (1990), 59th (1994), 81st (1996), 126th (1998), 59th (2002), 116th (2005)

Home: Sparks, NV

Hobbies: travel

Carlynn Mayer

60, Retired engineering technician for California Department of Water Resources

Rating: 1566

Record: 31st (1996), 18th (1998), 23rd (2000), 57th (2002), 58th (2005)

Home: Sparks, NV

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st place Int. Div. Reno West Coast Summer 1999

Hobbies: Fishing, landscape/gardening, cooking

Gigi Miller

44, legal secretary

Rating: 1306

Record: 18th (1996), 5th (1998), 55th (2000), 71st (2002), 6th (2004), 35th (2005)

Home: Sparks, NV

Hobbies: Travel, cooking

Carlene Wallis

60, retired

Rating: 1656

Record: 27th (1996), 52nd (1998), 107th (2000), 34th (2002), 64th (2005)

Home: Sparks, NV

Hobbies: gardening, fishing, poker

David Goodman

45, Vision Rehabilitation Therapist

Rating: 1650

Record: 50th (1998), 12th (2000), 90th (2002), 21st (2004)

Home: Albany, NY

Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Movies, Crossword Puzzles, Cats

Nancy Druskin

63, Retired Speech Therapist

Rating: 1383

Record: 13th (1989), 32nd (2000), 122nd (2002), 93rd (2004)

Home: Ardsley, NY

Hobbies: Tennis, Art History, Travel

Peter Manzolillo

48, self-employed/ sign business and maker of custom Scrabble boards

Rating: 1403

Record: 20th (2004), 91st (2005)

Home: Bellmore, NY

Hobbies: gardening, herbs, natural healing, nature study, guitar

Edward Coker

71, Retired

Rating: 1433

Record: 140th (1998), 82nd (2000), 82nd (2004)

Home: Bronx, NY

Hobbies: Reading, Politics

Joel Sherman

44, Scrabble player

Rating: 1888

Record: 65th (1989), 67th (1990), 34th (1992), 12th (1994), 29th (1996), 11th (1998), 14th (2000), 1st (2002), 81st (2004), 26th (2005)

Home: Bronx, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1997 World, 2002 National Scrabble Champion, featured character in Fatsis' "Word Freak" and Chaikin's "Word Wars"

Hobbies: piano, singing, movies

Mike Sherman

91, Retired accountant

Rating: 1078

Record: 41st (1990), 100th (1992), 57th (1994), 73rd (1996), 100th (1998), 74th (2000), 64th (2002), 134th (2004)

Home: Bronx, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: sired two expert-ranked sons, survived coronary bypass at 90

Hobbies: crossword puzzles, Yankee baseball

Ben Dweck

22, Technology Analyst

Rating: 1440

Record: 85th (2005)

Home: Brooklyn, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Two-time dean's list selection, occasional non-mediocre tournament finishes

Hobbies: Books, music, food, games, &c.

Barbara Epstein

52, Import Assistant

Rating: 1292

Record: 85th (2002), 131st (2004), 79th (2005)

Home: Brooklyn, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Arista in junior high school and high school

Hobbies: Sunning, acting, attending plays,concerts, ping pong

Diane Firstman

43, Demographic analyst

Rating: 1742

Record: 79th (1996), 103th (2000), 77th (2002), 91st (2004), 73rd (2005)

Home: Brooklyn, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Survived to this point

Hobbies: Baseball humorist/blogger/researcher

Varney Senii

Age withheld, Writer

Rating: 1295

Record: 23rd (1998), 96th (2000), 66th (2004), 103th (2005)

Home: Brooklyn, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: None

Hobbies: Sports and reading

Randy Greenspan

52, postal clerk

Rating: 1952

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

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

Dorothy Hackney

78, Retired

Rating: 628

Record: 68th (2000), 63rd (2002), 30th (2004)

Home: Buffalo, NY

Hobbies: travel

Ember Nelson

50, collections agent

Rating: 1559

Record: 26th (2000), 76th (2002), 133rd (2004), 50th (2005)

Home: Buffalo, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Author of "The Race Towards the Light: Hardscrabble"

Hobbies: paddleball

Don Drumm

62, Journalist

Rating: 1533

Record: 91st (2000), 51st (2002)

Home: Clinton, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Gold star in puppy heaven

Hobbies: Oratorio singing

Heather Drumm

60, Organist, piano teacher

Rating: 1557

Record: 34th (2000), 42nd (2002)

Home: Clinton, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Great Books Essay Contest grand prize winner, 1964

Hobbies: Reading, singing oratorio

Mark Goodman

58, physician

Rating: 1312

Record: 64th (1996), 46th (1998), 95th (2000), 69th (2002), 49th (2004)

Home: Clinton, NY

Hobbies: antarctica, mexico, travel

Joe Edley

58, Consultant to the National SCRABBLE Association

Rating: 1882

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

Home: Coram, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: 3 time National SCRABBLE Champion

Hobbies: reading, movies, tai chi

Mark Przybyszewski

41, credit counselor

Rating: 1743

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

Home: Depew, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: former Mensa member

Hobbies: karaoke, puzzles, collecting casino memorabilia

Rose Kreiswirth

68, Retired Mental Health Clinic Administrator

Rating: 1703

Record: 82nd (1985), 12th (1987), 60th (1988), 15th (1989), 44th (1990), 70th (1992), 77th (1994), 86th (1998), 69th (2000), 86th (2002), 131st (2004)

Home: East Northport, NY

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

Eileen Johnson

Age withheld, Aflac Insurance Sales

Rating: 924

Record: 19th (2004), 21st (2005)

Home: Freeport, NY

Hobbies: Baking, Cooking, Stained Glass, Piano

Debbie Stegman

44, Human Resources Executive

Rating: 1756

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

Home: Kew Gardens, NY

Carl Naples

62, Umpire

Rating: 926

Record: 82nd (2004)

Home: Lake Ronkonkoma, NY

Hobbies: Sudoku

Tina Cur

Age withheld, Niagara County Aging Services Aide

Rating: 1018

Record: 44th (2005)

Home: Lockport, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Ist Place Michigan Madness Div B 2002

Hobbies: Bowling, Crossword Puzzles, Casino Gambling, Crafts

David Mahnken

49, RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLIGIST

Rating: 963

Record: 82nd (2004)

Home: Long Beach, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: A TO ZEE

Hobbies: ASTRONOMY COOKING PHOTOGRAPHY TENNIS BORK

Denise Mahnken

Age withheld, Teacher of the Deaf

Rating: 1137

Record: 84th (2004), 51st (2005)

Home: Long Beach, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Scrabble record holder, greatest difference between rating and performance ratin

Hobbies: Bowling, Cribbage

Ira Freehof

45, Restaruranteur

Rating: 1516

Record: 30th (2004)

Home: Manhasset, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: in the Guinness Book of World Records for the world's largest milkshake, Beat Eric Goldstein in the Chump Challenges 1-3

Hobbies: Food, Wine, Reading, Humor

Joan Kelly

65, Retired Director of Special Education

Rating: 1539

Record: 6th (2000), 13th (2002), 56th (2004), 43rd (2005)

Home: Middletown, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Ph. D. - Columbia Univeristy (School of Psychology)

Kathy Hooper

53, School Librarian

Rating: 1272

Record: 89th (2002)

Home: Monroe, NY

Hobbies: reading, needlework

Charmaine Wolfe

Age withheld, Librarian

Rating: 1395

Record: 56th (1998), 54th (2000), 10th (2004), 14th (2005)

Home: N. Tonawanda, NY

Hobbies: Acrostics, movies, square dancing, shape note singing

Paul Avrin

63, retired HS math teacher

Rating: 1612

Record: 27th (1978), 57th (1985), 13th (1987), 143rd (1988), 135th (1989), 60th (1990), 23rd (1992), 97th (1994), 15th (1996), 94th (1998), 49th (2000), 96th (2002), 133rd (2004), 83rd (2005)

Home: New York, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2001-10 Lancaster PA; 2004-05 Piscataway, NY; has lowest NSA membership number (50)

Hobbies: travel, sports, gym

Jeremy Frank

37, Court Reporter

Rating: 1717

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

Home: New York, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Top 50 in 2005

Hobbies: Sports, travel, reading

Kenneth Rubin

21, Student

Rating: 1795

Record: 3rd (2004), 3rd (2005)

Home: New York, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: 3rd Place, Division 3, 2004 Nationals

Hobbies: Sports, Crossword Puzzles, Reading

Steve Tier

65, Teacher

Rating: 1811

Record: 74th (1989), 41st (1990), 115th (1992), 6th (1994), 74th (1996), 103th (1998), 85th (2000), 27th (2002), 25th (2004), 48th (2005)

Home: New York, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Long Island Science Teacher of the Year; 2002-07 Albany, NY

Hobbies: crossword puzzles

Dianne Wittman

Age withheld, receptionist

Rating: 1024

First-time competitor

Home: Pittsford, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: after 40 years in and out of four different schools, got my BA in Sociology in 2004

Hobbies: sewing, needlework, cards, crossword puzzles

Jim Fonti

45, Federal Probation Officer

Rating: 1242

Record: 38th (2002), 124th (2004)

Home: Port Jefferson, NY

Hobbies: Softball, Movies

Ida Ann Shapiro

65, retired teacher, florist

Rating: 915

Record: 79th (1998), 63rd (2000), 101th (2002), 66th (2004)

Home: Rego Park, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Was on the Millionaire Show

Hobbies: Bowling, working with flowers

Stuart Goldman

76, retired teacher

Rating: 1663

Record: 35th (1978), 11th (1983), 146th (1985), 14th (1987), 18th (1988), 44th (1989), 89th (1990), 6th (1992), 56th (1994), 67th (1996), 78th (1998), 78th (2000), 89th (2002), 31st (2005)

Home: Riverhead, NY

Awards and Tournament Wins: Scrabble senior hall of fame

Hobbies: puzzles

Irene Averbach

80, Retired

Rating: 931

First-time competitor

Home: Rochester, NY

Hobbies: Bridge, Majong, Reading

Beverly Otto

63, Retired

Rating: 773

First-time competitor

Home: Rochester, NY

Hobbies: Study foreign languages

Ted Rosen

58, Newspaper Copy Editor

Rating: 1722

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

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).

Colleen Shea

Age withheld, chemist

Rating: 863

Record: 54th (2004)

Home: Rocky Point, NY

Hobbies: quilting

Chris Lipe

25, computer programmer

Rating: 1577

First-time competitor

Home: Rome, NY

Hobbies: playing saxophone

Eric Goldstein

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 1640

First-time competitor

Home: Scarsdale, NY

Ida Scaglione

67, Retired Administrator

Rating: 1143

Record: 3rd (2005)

Home: Tonawanda, NY

Hobbies: Cooking, Gardening, Painting

Linda Hoggatt

47, occupation withheld

Rating: 1430

Record: 92nd (2004), 56th (2005)

Home: Blanchester, OH

Jean Carol

Age withheld, Retired Teacher

Rating: 1692

Record: 59th (1978), 62nd (1985), 14th (1987), 96th (1988), 112th (1989), 68th (1990), 81st (1992), 87th (1994), 72nd (1996), 73rd (1998), 70th (2000), 112th (2002), 110th (2004), 78th (2005)

Home: Cincinnati, OH

Awards and Tournament Wins: SuperStar - It was an honor just to be there

Hobbies: travel, studying Spanish and Russian

Jeff Myers

58, retired high school mathematics teacher

Rating: 1480

Record: 2nd (2000), 110th (2002), 119th (2004), 3rd (2005)

Home: Granville, OH

Awards and Tournament Wins: currently 8th-ranked SCRABBLE player in Ohio

Hobbies: cimpouter programming, guitar

Maureen Kennerk

57, Retired Rural Letter Carrier

Rating: 1378

Record: 6th (2002), 77th (2004), 61st (2005)

Home: Hicksville, OH

Awards and Tournament Wins: I've traveled to all 50 states and over 50 countries

Hobbies: World Travel, Volunteering

Daniel Stock

47, Generic Computer Nerd

Rating: 1691

Record: 16th (1996), 15th (1998), 37th (2000), 15th (2004)

Home: Rocky River, OH

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2005-12 Farmington, MI; Found highest known theoretically possible OSPD Scrabble play

Hobbies: Running, canoeing

Joyce Stock

42, Legal Assistant

Rating: 795

Record: 70th (2004)

Home: Rocky River, OH

Hobbies: Reading, Cooking

Pat Hardwick

64, Retired - Financial Services Management

Rating: 1044

Record: 134th (1992), 90th (1994), 104th (2002)

Home: Stow, OH

Hobbies: Travel, dining, theater, reading

Lee Brooks

67, Retired Stenographer

Rating: 1260

Record: 75th (1996), 150th (1998), 29th (2000), 98th (2002), 126th (2004), 119th (2005)

Home: Lawton, OK

Hobbies: Knitting, Walking

Karen Moss

Age withheld, homemaker

Rating: 1384

Record: 15th (2002), 99th (2004)

Home: Lawton, OK

Hobbies: Family

Glenda Short

71, Retired

Rating: 1476

Record: 9th (1988), 5th (1994), 25th (1996), 86th (1998), 17th (2000), 89th (2002), 18th (2004), 30th (2005)

Home: Oklahoma City, OK

Awards and Tournament Wins: Highest rated female Scrabble player in Oklahoma

Hobbies: Movies, TV, Cooking, Travel, Puzzles and Games

Jack Allard

64, Food delivery driver

Rating: 906

Record: 28th (2005)

Home: Pryor Creek, OK

Awards and Tournament Wins: none

Hobbies: Baseball card collecting, bird watching

Doris Patneau

Age withheld, Professor

Rating: 1061

Record: 73rd (2004)

Home: Tulsa, OK

Hobbies: White-water canoeing, cooking

Barbara Santee

69, Retired Executive Director

Rating: 1273

Record: 75th (2002), 62nd (2004)

Home: Tulsa, OK

Awards and Tournament Wins: Won Divs. 3 and 4 Dallas; Division 2 in Eureka Springs

Hobbies: Reading

Carl Johnson

24, Editorial Agent

Rating: 1665

First-time competitor

Home: Beaverton, OR

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

Thomas Conrad

29, chemical delivery engineer

Rating: 1284

Record: 18th (2005)

Home: Hillsboro, OR

Hobbies: hiking, camping, computers

Edmond Wilson

55, Technical Consultant in Music Industry

Rating: 888

First-time competitor

Home: Hillsboro, OR

Awards and Tournament Wins: 24 years in U.S. Navy Submarine Force

Hobbies: Sailing, Camping, Horseback Riding

Ruth Hamilton

62, Information Technology Analyst

Rating: 1685

Record: 9th (1987), 80th (1988), 118th (1989), 109th (1990), 154th (1992), 18th (1996), 24th (1998), 56th (2000), 15th (2002), 94th (2005)

Home: Lake Oswego, OR

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2001 Michael Wise NSA Director of the Year

Hobbies: Reading, Needlework

Michael Baker

46, Engineering Technician

Rating: 1813

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

Home: Portland, OR

Awards and Tournament Wins: I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying. [Woody Allen]

Hobbies: Pool, Poker

Betty Cornelison

72, Retired

Rating: 1470

Record: 12th (1994), 58th (1996), 87th (1998), 57th (2000), 60th (2002), 98th (2004), 1st (2005)

Home: Portland, OR

Hobbies: entering recipe contests, volunteer teach botanical garden

Nita Galambos

24, Used Book Buyer

Rating: 1019

First-time competitor

Home: Portland, OR

Hobbies: Poekoelan

P K Gott

51, undecided

Rating: 1383

Record: 112th (2004), 101th (2005)

Home: Portland, OR

Awards and Tournament Wins: 3 foul pop-ups & 1 tag out - opening game 2006 season

Hobbies: softball catcher

Sedona Maniak

29, ebay specialist

Rating: 799

First-time competitor

Home: Portland, OR

Hobbies: judo, fishing, softball, general nefariousness

Dave Wiegand

32, Mortgage Underwriter

Rating: 1984

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

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

Sally Reeser

55, Special Education Teacher/Church Director of Music

Rating: 875

First-time competitor

Home: Allentown, PA

Hobbies: Reading

Gary Perman

48, power plant operator

Rating: 1472

First-time competitor

Home: Blairsville, PA

Hobbies: black jack

Samantha Orleans

52, Volunteer

Rating: 1227

First-time competitor

Home: Bryn Mawr, PA

Hobbies: Partying

Noel Livermore

53, Realtor(R)

Rating: 1707

Record: 172nd (1990), 119th (1992), 27th (1998), 25th (2000), 35th (2002), 42nd (2004)

Home: Easton, PA

Hobbies: Photography, ping-pong

Richard Hamilton

69, Retired

Rating: 880

Record: 8th (2004), 74th (2005)

Home: Harrisburg, PA

Hobbies: Pinochle, Reading

Steve Oliger

57, Retired Electronics Technician

Rating: 1660

Record: 9th (1987), 40th (1988), 99th (1989), 112th (1992), 100th (1994), 104th (1996), 97th (1998), 97th (2000), 85th (2002), 71st (2004), 80th (2005)

Home: Holtwood, PA

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

Hobbies: music, travel, reading, writing, computers

Ronald F Millard

63, Retired

Rating: 844

Record: 23rd (2004), 90th (2005)

Home: Lancaster, PA

Hobbies: playing poker

Drew Allen

45, Data Analyst

Rating: 1358

Record: 39th (2002), 39th (2005)

Home: Philadelphia, PA

Hobbies: Bridge, Square Dancing, C/W Dancing, and Bears

Connie Creed

59, Special Events Designer

Rating: 1577

Record: 1st (2000), 64th (2004), 64th (2005)

Home: Philadelphia, PA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Finished first place division 6 in Providence, 2000, Gala Award for best table design

Hobbies: crossword puzzles, cryptograms and acrostics

Irma Roberts

71, Retired Teacher

Rating: 833

First-time competitor

Home: Philadelphia, PA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Award from the Chapel of the Four Chaplins, church awards, 3rd Place, novice division-'03 AC Tournament

Hobbies: word puzzles, singing, writing poetry, cooking, "soaps", driving, visiting

Joe Petree

55, Retired

Rating: 1457

First-time competitor

Home: Secane, PA

Hobbies: gardening, faux painting

Ann Raymond

73, Retired Real Estate Agent

Rating: 1417

Record: 69th (2000), 41st (2002), 110th (2004), 130th (2005)

Home: West Chester, PA

Hobbies: Bridge, Reading

Alan Riechman

55, engineer

Rating: 1318

First-time competitor

Home: Aiken, SC

Awards and Tournament Wins: none

Hobbies: walking, billiards

Linda Bianca

58, retired teacher

Rating: 952

Record: 32nd (2005)

Home: Myrtle Beach, SC

Hobbies: tennis

Gerry Greenside

61, Marketing

Rating: 1629

First-time competitor

Home: Myrtle Beach, SC

Awards and Tournament Wins: Former Prof Baseball Player, 3 Time National Age Bracket Handball Champ

Hobbies: Handball, Movies, Dining Out

Jacqueline Camper

55, High School Visual Arts Instructor

Rating: 1438

Record: 116th (1992), 43rd (1994), 105th (1996), 147th (1998), 88th (2000), 113th (2002), 132nd (2004), 90th (2005)

Home: Memphis, TN

Awards and Tournament Wins: Directed one and only TN Regional School Scrabble Championship

Hobbies: Lifelong Learning,Tennis, Travel, Museum/art gallery hopping

Rea Spidel

74, Retired

Rating: 1123

Record: 6th (2000), 18th (2004), 64th (2005)

Home: Memphis, TN

Hobbies: Bridge

Dorothy Tatum

76, Retired

Rating: 741

Record: 48th (2004), 110th (2005)

Home: Memphis, TN

Hobbies: bridge, travel

Chris Canik

15, student

Rating: 1155

First-time competitor

Home: Austin, TX

Hobbies: percussion, video games, reading

Matt Canik

13, student

Rating: 906

First-time competitor

Home: Austin, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: 4th place National School Scrabble Championship, 2 time Texas state School Scrabble Champion

Hobbies: golf, piano, band, student council, full orchestra, football, video games

Beulah Cooper

84, Retired Counselor

Rating: 1010

Record: 50th (1992), 89th (1994), 82nd (1996), 48th (1998), 118th (2000), 62nd (2002), 67th (2004), 84th (2005)

Home: Austin, TX

Hobbies: reading, dominoes

Jonn Dalton

Age withheld, software engineering

Rating: 1545

Record: 18th (2000), 73rd (2002), 161st (2004), 79th (2005)

Home: Austin, TX

Hobbies: drawing, laying tiles, bingo

Michael Donegan

58, Computer Scientist

Rating: 1080

Record: 19th (2004), 6th (2005)

Home: Austin, TX

Hobbies: Biking, Guitar

Becky Dyer

40, Clinical Research Manager

Rating: 1351

Record: 10th (2004)

Home: Austin, TX

Chad Hopper

33, artist

Rating: 1266

Record: 12th (2005)

Home: Austin, TX

Hobbies: crossword puzzle construction, puppets, and science

Jim Hughes

46, Trainer

Rating: 1271

Record: 51st (2004), 76th (2005)

Home: Austin, TX

Hobbies: darts

Jean McArthur

Age withheld, Computer Programmer

Rating: 1558

Record: 43rd (2002), 66th (2004)

Home: Austin, TX

Hobbies: Yoga, Kayaking

April McCarley

Age withheld, Special Education teacher

Rating: 1256

Record: 27th (1996), 16th (2000), 148th (2004), 102th (2005)

Home: Austin, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: Attend international tournaments

Hobbies: reading, travel

Dolores Muhich

79, Retired

Rating: 917

Record: 82nd (1998), 78th (2000), 121st (2002), 148th (2004), 93rd (2005)

Home: Austin, TX

Hobbies: Dance, Church Choir, Gym

Iffy Onyeonwu

Age withheld, Computer Retailer

Rating: 1802

Record: 30th (1998), 20th (2000), 30th (2002), 56th (2004), 68th (2005)

Home: Austin, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1990 Nigerian NSC; African Champion 1994; 2003-01 Lampasas, TX; 2003-02 Phoenix, AZ; 2004-02 Texas State Championship; 2004-09 Houston, TX; 2004-12 Austin, TX

Hobbies: Soccer

Keith Smith

Age withheld, Computer Programmer

Rating: 1720

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

Home: Austin, TX

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

Mary Snider

36, Office Administrator

Rating: 800

First-time competitor

Home: Austin, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: Won my school's spelling bee in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Went on to the city bee.

Hobbies: Writing, playing softball, watching sports, reading.

Ruben Solis

Age withheld, Engineer

Rating: 1297

Record: 63rd (2004), 19th (2005)

Home: Austin, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1971 Frisbee golf champion of Trufant, Michigan

Hobbies: Astronomy, sports

Geoff Thevenot

36, proofreader for educational publisher

Rating: 1758

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

Home: Austin, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: 257th runner-up, Most Eligible Scrabbler, 2006; 2nd-most discipline referrals, Putnam City North High School, 1986-1987

Hobbies: guitar, keyboards, reading, tennis, philosophy, drinking

Jacob Williams

27, Web Developer

Rating: 1408

Record: 1st (2005)

Home: Austin, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: First Place Division Six NSC 2005

Hobbies: Gospel Quartet Music, Opera, Open Source Software

Evelyn Callaway

35, Research Scientist

Rating: 880

Record: 69th (1996), 44th (2005)

Home: Bryan, TX

Hobbies: Soccer, Scouting, Coaching, crosswords, orienteering

Ken Kasney

50, Financial Manager

Rating: 1457

Record: 7th (2005)

Home: Cypress, TX

Hobbies: Golf, Science, History, Gardening

Carla Cree

Age withheld, Securities Analyst

Rating: 1507

Record: 137th (2004), 77th (2005)

Home: Dallas, TX

Hobbies: reading, travel, fitness activities, scrabbling (of course!)

Chris Cree

51, used equipment, sales and leasing

Rating: 1872

Record: 31st (1983), 130th (1985), 16th (1987), 41st (1988), 33rd (1989), 24th (1990), 24th (1992), 55th (1994), 36th (1996), 35th (1998), 45th (2000), 47th (2002), 4th (2004), 23rd (2005)

Home: Dallas, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2002-02 Salado, TX; 2002-02 Phoenix, AZ; 2002-06, 2003-06 Mid-Cities, TX;2003-08 Houston, TX; 2004-01 Lampasas, TX; 2004-02 Costa Rica; 2004-06 Provence, France

Hobbies: golf, music, reading

Andy Michlin

60, Musician

Rating: 1373

Record: 32nd (1996), 21st (1998), 36th (2000), 7th (2002), 85th (2004), 30th (2005)

Home: Dallas, TX

Joy Nees

70, Own Real Estate Office

Rating: 994

Record: 11th (2000), 97th (2002), 63rd (2004), 71st (2005)

Home: Dallas, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: National top 10 of 14,000 agents with former Merrill Lynch Realty

Hobbies: Cruises

Orry Swift

19, Student

Rating: 1785

First-time competitor

Home: Dayton, TX

Hobbies: Video Games, Basketball, Anime

Carl Davis

44, Aircraft Maintenance Technician

Rating: 1401

Record: 48th (1996), 116th (1998), 4th (2000), 75th (2002), 84th (2004), 103th (2005)

Home: Fort Worth, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: 4th place at Providence 2000

Hobbies: Chess,camping and fishing

Michelle Davis

51, NONE

Rating: 1395

Record: 22nd (1996), 10th (1998), 67th (2000), 68th (2002), 45th (2004), 8th (2005)

Home: Fort Worth, TX

Hobbies: Camping, Yardwork

Michael Early

Age withheld, musician

Rating: 1822

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

Home: Fort Worth, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: Texas State Scrabble Champ 1994, Division Two Champ 2005

Hobbies: songwriting, composing, philosphy, games

Ruth Sawyer

84, Retired

Rating: 1069

Record: 8th (1987), 47th (1988), 55th (1989), 38th (1990), 47th (1992), 19th (1994), 39th (1996), 127th (1998), 41st (2000), 45th (2002), 85th (2004), 70th (2005)

Home: Georgetown, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: Austin Scrabble Club Hall of Fame

Hobbies: yard saleing

Kathy Johnson

52, Caregiver; Retired Architect

Rating: 660

Record: 33rd (2004), 121st (2005)

Home: Houston, TX

Hobbies: Reading, Photography, Travel, Genealogy

Broderick Larkins

49, Manager

Rating: 1317

Record: 45th (1992), 69th (1996), 68th (2004), 59th (2005)

Home: Houston, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: AVID SCRABBLE TOURNEY PLAYER SINCE 1988

Hobbies: SWIMMING, BOWLING, CHESS

Andrea Meeden

Age withheld, Paralegal

Rating: 712

Record: 116th (1998), 87th (2004), 7th (2005)

Home: Houston, TX

Hobbies: Scrapbooking

Carole Miller

68, Retired front office administrator

Rating: 1460

Record: 90th (1996), 31st (2002), 141st (2004), 47th (2005)

Home: Houston, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: Co-Director Club #359 in Houston - Too many other achievements & awards to even list here

Hobbies: Crossword Puzzles, Trivia games, movies, travel

Judy Newhouse

59, Retired Homemaker

Rating: 1386

Record: 80th (2000), 118th (2002), 81st (2004), 55th (2005)

Home: Houston, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: Texas Scrabble Hall of Fame

Hobbies: Cooking, Reading, Tennis, Collecting postcards & beer coasters

Shirley Petrey

66, retired

Rating: 1047

Record: 101th (2004), 90th (2005)

Home: Houston, TX

Hobbies: collecting marbles

Ben Withers

58, Physician

Rating: 1806

Record: 70th (1996), 116th (1998), 18th (2000), 72nd (2002), 16th (2004), 85th (2005)

Home: Houston, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2003-02, 2005-02 Salado, TX; 2005-01 Waco, TX; (51st) 2003 WSC; Texas State Champion 2003 and 2005

Hobbies: Travel, Reading

Winter Zxqkj

34, Computer programmer

Rating: 1629

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

Home: Houston, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: Not a thing.

Hobbies: traveling

Dan Mcgrath

72, retired

Rating: 556

First-time competitor

Home: Lubbock, TX

Hobbies: reading

Grace Mcgrath

71, retired

Rating: 676

First-time competitor

Home: Lubbock, TX

Hobbies: reading mysteries

Cheryl Tyler

52, Physician

Rating: 1656

Record: 117th (1998), 65th (2000), 58th (2002), 160th (2004), 45th (2005)

Home: Lubbock, TX

Hobbies: games, reading, animal rescue

Gregg Speicher

36, equity analyst

Rating: 1342

First-time competitor

Home: McKinney, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: nothing really

Hobbies: reading, kids, basketball

Mary Pastore

49, University Administration

Rating: 969

First-time competitor

Home: Pearland, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: Too numerous to mention here.

Hobbies: Reading and weeping - some gnashing

Kristina Simon

Age withheld, CPA

Rating: 1534

First-time competitor

Home: Plano, TX

Hobbies: YOGA CROSSWORD PUZZLES

Darrell Day

49, Executive Search Firm CEO

Rating: 1809

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

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

Matt DeWaelsche

46, Librarian/Archivist

Rating: 1649

Record: 12th (1987), 186th (1988), 125th (1990), 102th (1992), 63rd (1994), 14th (1996), 106th (1998), 68th (2000), 83rd (2002), 101th (2004)

Home: San Antonio, TX

Hobbies: reading, movies

Robert Fenske

45, Staff Analyst

Rating: 1004

Record: 32nd (2004)

Home: San Antonio, TX

Hobbies: astronomy, bicycling, travel

T A Sanders

61, self employed

Rating: 1336

Record: 10th (1987), 84th (1988), 42nd (1990), 39th (1992), 88th (1994), 102th (1996), 113th (1998), 101th (2000), 115th (2002), 149th (2004)

Home: San Antonio, TX

Hobbies: reading movies

Nancy Scott

65, Retired

Rating: 1229

Record: 29th (1990), 52nd (1992), 84th (1996), 95th (1998), 111th (2000), 107th (2002), 33rd (2005)

Home: Schertz, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: in the past year, winning 1st in Lafayette La., 1st in Western Canadian division 2, and 3rd in Phoenix

Hobbies: movies reading and travel

Jane Tacker

70, Part time RN, retired

Rating: 882

Record: 30th (2000), 13th (2002), 69th (2004), 72nd (2005)

Home: Sealy, TX

Hobbies: gardening, reading, baseball viewer, grandchildren, walking, yoga

Laura Landsbaum

41, HS Journalism teacher

Rating: 1070

Record: 119th (2004)

Home: The Woodlands, TX

Hobbies: high-fat foods, haiku, running

Austin Bradley

16, Student

Rating: 1498

First-time competitor

Home: Waco, TX

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2006-06 Ft. Worth, Texas Division 2, 3rd place Texas Student Affiliate Vocal Competition

Hobbies: Singing, Piano, Bowling, Tennis

Paul Hagelstein

34, Mathematics Professor at Baylor University

Rating: 1008

First-time competitor

Home: Waco, TX

Hobbies: Golf, piano, community band

Jim W Fischer

64, (nearing retirement)

Rating: 1432

Record: 17th (1990), 17th (1994), 61st (1996), 45th (1998), 68th (2000), 56th (2005)

Home: Salt Lake City, UT

Awards and Tournament Wins: B.S. in Earth Science; 55 months USAF

Hobbies: World Travel

Kent Nelson

68, Retired Educator

Rating: 1789

Record: 7th (1987), 11th (1994), 38th (1996), 29th (2000)

Home: Sandy, UT

Awards and Tournament Wins: Won Grand Canyon Scrabble Tournament, 2000

Hobbies: Golf, Bowling, Boggle

Michael Thelen

29, Software engineer

Rating: 1486

Record: 2nd (2005)

Home: West Jordan, UT

Hobbies: Programming, reading

Vince Castellano

Age withheld, Software Engineer

Rating: 1717

Record: 34th (2000), 99th (2002), 171st (2004), 46th (2005)

Home: Fairfax, VA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do (WTF)

Hobbies: Music Physics Taw Kwon Do

Laura Moyer

43, newspaper reporter

Rating: 1280

Record: 2nd (2005)

Home: Fredericksburg, VA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2nd place, division 6, 2005 NSC

Matt Breden

35, US Air Force Officer, B-52 bombardier

Rating: 1056

First-time competitor

Home: Hampton, VA

Awards and Tournament Wins: Two air medals, 1st place Div III Scrabble Tournament, Moose Jaw, Canada, 12-0, 1700 pt spread

Hobbies: banjo picking, travel

Frank Kashuk

Age withheld, Retired

Rating: 1419

First-time competitor

Home: Edmonds, WA

Hobbies: Gardening

Lynda Shayne

Age withheld, retired

Rating: 1230

First-time competitor

Home: Edmonds, WA

Hobbies: knitting, cooking, gardening, reading, grandchildren

Rachel Christensen

27, Catering, bartending

Rating: 1157

Record: 9th (2004)

Home: Seattle, WA

Hobbies: travel

David Ruby

Age withheld, Wealth Manager

Rating: 1214

First-time competitor

Home: Seattle, WA

Chris Schneider

36, Television Producer

Rating: 1507

Record: 78th (2004), 7th (2005)

Home: Seattle, WA

Awards and Tournament Wins: 3rd in division 2 in the 2006 Scrabble in Seattle

Hobbies: Poker,

Rebecca Slivka

45, Computer consultant

Rating: 1627

Record: 105th (2004), 75th (2005)

Home: Seattle, WA

Hobbies: Bicycling, Bicycle Advocacy, Travel

Rafi Stern

17, Student

Rating: 1427

First-time competitor

Home: Seattle, WA

Awards and Tournament Wins: one first, two seconds, first in C group of Oregon Tile

Hobbies: Ultimate frisbee

Geoff Tongue

40, Northwest Airlines

Rating: 1239

Record: 11th (2002), 4th (2004)

Home: Tacoma, WA

Hobbies: photography, tennis, volleyball, travel, art

Janice Konkol

Age withheld, retired

Rating: 834

Record: 15th (2004), 85th (2005)

Home: Amherst, WI

Hobbies: read, garden, camp, bike, travel, volunteer

Diana Ittner

Age withheld, Actuarial Analyst

Rating: 1339

Record: 29th (1992), 99th (1996), 87th (1998), 54th (2002), 70th (2004)

Home: Brookfield, WI

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1st Place Scrabble Elmhurst, IL, Nov. '04; 1st Place Bridge Marathon 04-06

Hobbies: Playing bridge, traveling, beach bumming

Tom OLaughlin

50, Software Engineer

Rating: 1013

Record: 13th (2004), 65th (2005)

Home: Hartland, WI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Married since 1979. Wonderful wife. Two great kids.

Hobbies: travel, golf, movies

Lin Lehmicke

66, Retired

Rating: 500

First-time competitor

Home: Luck, WI

Awards and Tournament Wins: AA degree in Theater Arts

Hobbies: Reading, Red Hatting

Mary Becker

59, Human Resources Specialist

Rating: 1292

Record: 113th (1996), 24th (1998), 33rd (2000), 8th (2002), 103th (2004), 52nd (2005)

Home: Madison, WI

Hobbies: Quilting, gardening, reading

Barbara Besadny

74, Retired

Rating: 1082

Record: 92nd (1996), 46th (1998), 106th (2000), 70th (2002), 48th (2004), 23rd (2005)

Home: Madison, WI

Hobbies: Golf, Bridge, Bowling, Gardening

Andy Bohnsack

27, substitute teacher

Rating: 1544

Record: 73rd (2005)

Home: Madison, WI

Hobbies: collecting autographs, fantasy sports, video games, reading

Lynda Finn

46, Management Consultant

Rating: 1102

First-time competitor

Home: Madison, WI

Hobbies: Golf, Improv Comedy

Mark Kenas

53, Antiques Dealer

Rating: 1828

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

Home: Madison, WI

Hobbies: Canoeing, Well Drilling

Nola Hembrook

56, teacher

Rating: 1298

Record: 39th (2004), 91st (2005)

Home: Marshfield, WI

Hobbies: reading, traveling

Barbara Drinkwine

60, Retired Elementary Administrator

Rating: 1323

Record: 22nd (1996), 18th (2002), 57th (2005)

Home: Menasha, WI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Elementary Teacher of the Year

Hobbies: Volunteer Work, Sudoku, Travel

Charles Reinke

16, student

Rating: 863

First-time competitor

Home: Middleton, WI

Hobbies: computers, music, DDR

Thomas Reinke

16, Student

Rating: 932

First-time competitor

Home: Middleton, WI

Hobbies: computers, music

Susan Love

Age withheld, Librarian

Rating: 1106

Record: 41st (1989), 13th (1990), 21st (1992), 41st (1994), 20th (1996), 79th (1998), 47th (2002), 49th (2004)

Home: Milwaukee, WI

Awards and Tournament Wins: Will achieve 20 years of marriage to another Scrabble player (less addicted) on 11-4-04

Hobbies: Creative writing, aspiring author, reading.

Michael David

25, High School Math Teacher

Rating: 1422

Record: 5th (2005)

Home: Portage, WI

Hobbies: Music, Tennis, Ping-pong, Reading

John OLaughlin

26, Software QA Engineer

Rating: 1872

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

Home: Sun Prairie, WI

Awards and Tournament Wins: (28th) 2003 WSC; 2004-11 Elmhurst, IL

Hobbies: music, movies, puzzles and computers

Ivan Blackman

71, withheld

Rating: 1018

Record: 91st (1992), 43rd (1996), 115th (1998), 63rd (2002), 142nd (2004), 88th (2005)

Home: Nassau, N.P., Bahamas

Hobbies: cricket, soccer, helping hand

Wayne Clifford

57, alarm agent

Rating: 1676

Record: 53rd (1998), 48th (2000), 40th (2002), 167th (2004), 36th (2005)

Home: Calgary, AB, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2005-01, 2005-03 Calgary, AB

Hobbies: golf

Marion Dimond

73, Retired

Rating: 960

Record: 105th (2005)

Home: Calgary, AB, Canada

Albert Hahn

58, delivering stuff

Rating: 1713

Record: 39th (1994), 6th (1996), 38th (2000), 88th (2002), 80th (2004), 56th (2005)

Home: Calgary, AB, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2004-01 Calgary AB, 2004-05 Calgary AB

Hobbies: walking, thinking, delivering stuff

Estelle Matthews

73, Retired

Rating: 891

Record: 58th (2004), 50th (2005)

Home: Calgary, AB, Canada

Jesse Matthews

20, Vaquero

Rating: 1807

Record: 116th (2004), 101th (2005)

Home: Calgary, AB, Canada

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

Hobbies: pwning n00bs

Allan Simon

60, Retired

Rating: 1580

Record: 51st (2000), 34th (2002)

Home: Calgary, AB, Canada

Hobbies: Esperanto, duplicate bridge

Nicholas Tam

21, Student

Rating: 1227

Record: 165th (2004)

Home: Calgary, AB, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: Most Improved Player, Club #374 (2001-02)

Hobbies: Jazz piano, film noir, literature, tea

Siri Tillekeratne

64, Consulting Engineer/College Lecturer

Rating: 1549

Record: 151st (1988), 54th (1992), 101th (1994), 68th (1996), 36th (1998), 90th (2000), 130th (2002), 139th (2004), 63rd (2005)

Home: Calgary, AB, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: NSA Director of the Year 1996, Canadian Sportsmanship Award in Scrabble, 2005

Hobbies: Reading, Country Music

Tony Verma

42, Sales Rep

Rating: 1088

First-time competitor

Home: Burnaby, BC, Canada

Hobbies: Kyaking swimming playing poker

Chora B Eilertsen

59, CLERK

Rating: 990

Record: 31st (2002), 27th (2004)

Home: Coal Harbour, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

Hobbies: GOLF

Dean Saldanha

23, Engineering Assistant / Student

Rating: 1856

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

Home: Richmond, BC, Canada

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

Hobbies: Roller Hockey, Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, Golf, Music, Reading

Dielle Saldanha

17, student

Rating: 1792

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

Home: Richmond, BC, Canada

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

Hobbies: field hockey, shopping, running, reading

Dion Saldanha

19, STUDENT/RECEPTION

Rating: 1263

Record: 10th (2002), 116th (2004), 68th (2005)

Home: Richmond, BC, Canada

Hobbies: field hockey, singing

Miriam Saldanha

Age withheld, Engineering assistant

Rating: 1162

Record: 13th (2000), 22nd (2002), 23rd (2004), 92nd (2005)

Home: Richmond, BC, Canada

Hobbies: gardening, music

Norbert Saldanha

54, Logistics Manager

Rating: 1382

Record: 4th (2000), 1st (2002), 76th (2004), 68th (2005)

Home: Richmond, BC, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1991 Gulf Champion; 2002 Division 4, NSC.

Hobbies: 10-pin bowling, volleyball

John Aitken

55, postal worker

Rating: 1050

First-time competitor

Home: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Chris Williams

36, Underachiever

Rating: 1698

Record: 5th (2005)

Home: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Hobbies: Mathematics, reading, computer games, vegetating

Helen B Douglas

68, Retired bookkeeper-now have home business making slippers

Rating: 1323

Record: 50th (2004), 124th (2005)

Home: Victoria, BC, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: writing, occasional wins in scrabble

Hobbies: swimming, walking, travelling, ice skating

Donna Carruthers

65, Retired

Rating: 1066

First-time competitor

Home: Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Eleanor Gibson

65, retired

Rating: 915

First-time competitor

Home: Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: none

Hobbies: Bridge, kyaking, sewing, cottaging

Julie Kading

69, retired

Rating: 1063

First-time competitor

Home: Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Jarett Myskiw

25, Graduate Student

Rating: 1027

First-time competitor

Home: Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: Twenty-five years of hogging all the good oxygen

Hobbies: Ultimate frisbee, bourbon, combustibles

Caroline Polak Scowcroft

59, TEACHER

Rating: 1212

First-time competitor

Home: Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Hobbies: TRAVEL, READING, HEALTH AND FITNESS

Elvira Toews

71, Retired

Rating: 1253

Record: 16th (2000), 120th (2002)

Home: Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Hobbies: Reading, Travel

Tony Leah

57, Labour Union Education Coordinator

Rating: 1744

Record: 4th (2002), 13th (2004), 42nd (2005)

Home: Ajax, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2nd - 2005 Canadian Scrabble Championship

Hobbies: labour history, book collecting

Carl Madden

31, Restaurant Owner

Rating: 1625

Record: 31st (1998), 36th (2000), 24th (2005)

Home: Brantford, ON, Canada

Hobbies: Baseball, Online gaming,

Christopher Sykes

40, Computer Programmer/Analyst

Rating: 1834

Record: 67th (2000)

Home: Cambridge, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 3rd Canadian Nationals 2000

Hobbies: nothing in particular

Vivian Minden

Age withheld, Musician

Rating: 1376

Record: 50th (1989), 31st (1994), 100th (1996), 34th (1998), 77th (2000), 47th (2002)

Home: Dundas, ON, Canada

Jan Mills

Age withheld, accountant

Rating: 1736

Record: 20th (1983), 41st (1985), 11th (1987), 93rd (1988), 61st (1989), 64th (1990), 90th (1992), 53rd (1994), 31st (1996), 66th (1998), 32nd (2000), 52nd (2002), 35th (2004), 54th (2005)

Home: Georgetown, ON, Canada

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

Lloyd Mills

Age withheld, Air Conditioning/Heating Contractor

Rating: 1897

Record: 24th (2005)

Home: Georgetown, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: Have won some tournaments and am the proud father of Isabel, my 11-year old daughter

Hobbies: Hiking, Cycling, Crossword Puzzles

Ben Lam

29, Market Research

Rating: 971

First-time competitor

Home: Markham, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 3rd place, division 6, Oshawa, 2006. 1st place, D division, Montreal, 2006.

Hobbies: Ultimate Frisbee, Beach Volleyball

Don Ball

Age withheld, Art Educator

Rating: 868

First-time competitor

Home: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Hobbies: contemporary art, running

Percy Fernando

Age withheld, Businessman

Rating: 622

Record: 113th (2005)

Home: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Hobbies: Sports, Gardening, Poker

Priya Fernando

Age withheld, Adminstrative Assistant

Rating: 1262

Record: 3rd (2005)

Home: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2005 Nationals 3rd Place in Division 5

Hobbies: Crossword Puzzles, Reading, Sports, Poker

Sid Lashley

57, Internal Auditor

Rating: 1094

Record: 53rd (2000), 151st (2004), 46th (2005)

Home: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Hobbies: Reading, squash

Yvonne Lobo

53, Administrative Assistant

Rating: 1476

Record: 26th (2000)

Home: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: participated in the 1997 World Scrabble tournament in Washington

Hobbies: reading, movies, swimming and cards

Kaveri Raviraj

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 830

First-time competitor

Home: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Craig Rowland

40, Library Assistant

Rating: 1847

Record: 73rd (2002), 32nd (2004)

Home: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Hobbies: Minority European languages (I just returned from Switzerland where I was studying Romansch); Apple Records; Värttinä

Jason Ubeika

31, Tax Accountant

Rating: 1417

Record: 68th (2004), 28th (2005)

Home: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: BMath, MAcc, CA, CPA, undisputed Ubeika family Scrabble champion

Hobbies: Bowling, baseball, volleyball, golf

Nicholas Fall

Age withheld, Chemical Technician

Rating: 1256

Record: 68th (2002), 152nd (2004), 77th (2005)

Home: Napanee, ON, Canada

Hobbies: Unicycles

Deborah Light

Age withheld, public service

Rating: 906

Record: 47th (2002), 38th (2004)

Home: Napanee, ON, Canada

Hilda Schlechter

68, retired

Rating: 1462

First-time competitor

Home: Oshawa, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: Moose Jaw, Sask - Gold Medal (2006)

Hobbies: baking, gardening, reading,

Trevor Sealy

56, Manager Of Accounting

Rating: 1474

Record: 84th (1990), 28th (1996), 141st (1998), 21st (2000), 80th (2004), 51st (2005)

Home: Oshawa, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: Director Of Club #263 in Oshawa Ontario Canada

Hobbies: Tennis,Baseball,

Jamie De Jong

31, Statistical Methodologist

Rating: 668

First-time competitor

Home: Ottawa, ON, Canada

Pamela Hunter

42, Language Assessor

Rating: 984

Record: 65th (2002), 62nd (2004), 52nd (2005)

Home: Ottawa, ON, Canada

Hobbies: cycling, swimming, rollerblading and camping

John Stardom

30, Statistician

Rating: 1573

Record: 2nd (2004)

Home: Ottawa, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2nd place, Div 4 2004 USSO, New Orleans

Hobbies: Ultimate Frisbee, Euro strategy board games, Making fool of self

Gavin Thompson

33, Statistical Methodologist

Rating: 629

First-time competitor

Home: Ottawa, ON, Canada

Hobbies: Ultimate, Poker

Sandi Spencer

49, homemaker

Rating: 920

Record: 32nd (2000), 30th (2002)

Home: Pickering, ON, Canada

Hobbies: scrabble, crafts

Mad Palazzo

47, Consultant

Rating: 1306

Record: 14th (1996), 54th (1998), 52nd (2000), 131st (2002), 109th (2004), 46th (2005)

Home: Richmond Hill, ON, Canada

Hobbies: Golf, Running

Sam Hollington

36, Self employed

Rating: 1288

First-time competitor

Home: St. Catharines, ON, Canada

Hobbies: Sports

Henry De Young

57, Lawyer

Rating: 766

First-time competitor

Home: St. Marys, ON, Canada

Hobbies: SKIING, TENNIS

Evan Berofsky

30, Returning university student, freelance writer, disturber of peace

Rating: 1836

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

Home: Thornhill, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2002-06, 2004-06 Livonia MI; 2003, 2004 Toronto Club Champion; 2003-11 Brantford ON

Hobbies: Extreme Canasta, Alphabet Drinking Game, prone to recite bad lyrics from obscure songs

Tim Anglin

Age withheld, retired

Rating: 1678

Record: 11th (1987), 19th (1988), 2nd (1989), 113th (1990), 9th (1994), 64th (1996), 96th (1998), 68th (2000), 82nd (2002), 51st (2004), 25th (2005)

Home: Toronto, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: Atlantic City, Buffalo, Bozeman, Alaska Cruise, Mississauga, Daytona

Hobbies: flyfishing

Vera Bigall

42, teacher

Rating: 1209

Record: 25th (2004)

Home: Toronto, ON, Canada

Hobbies: tennis, camping, skydiving - not

Diane Brown

60, Retired F.S.L. Consultant

Rating: 1056

Record: 26th (1989), 73rd (1992), 62nd (1994), 66th (1996), 20th (1998), 5th (2000), 87th (2002), 60th (2004), 105th (2005)

Home: Toronto, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: Surviving 33 years of teaching

Hobbies: Photography and Digital Enhancement, Genealogy,Travel, Reading, Attending Theatre

Roger Cullman

33, Macintosh computer consultant; freelance writer and photographer

Rating: 1297

Record: 34th (2002), 92nd (2004), 129th (2005)

Home: Toronto, ON, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: Director of Scrabble in the City (June 2005- present) www.scrabbleinthecity.com

Hobbies: Creator of Scrabble Player Trading Cards; blogger at www.wordfreak.livejournal.com

Robin Pollock Daniel

44, Mom/Psychotherapist

Rating: 1940

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

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

Anita Herczeg

Age withheld, film maker

Rating: 1200

First-time competitor

Home: Toronto, ON, Canada

Hobbies: tennis

Max Panitch

31, student

Rating: 1764

Record: 103th (2002), 13th (2004)

Home: Toronto, ON, Canada

Hobbies: photography, baseball

Gene Rawlins

Age withheld, SELF EMPLOYED

Rating: 1397

Record: 18th (1994), 92nd (1996), 90th (1998), 41st (2000), 101th (2002), 125th (2004), 133rd (2005)

Home: Toronto, ON, Canada

Hobbies: BRIDGE, TENNIS, BIKING, MOVIES

Fraser Simpson

Age withheld, occupation withheld

Rating: 902

First-time competitor

Home: Toronto, ON, Canada

Lynda Wise

62, Life Coach/ Weight Loss Coach

Rating: 1443

Record: 151st (1990), 94th (2000), 79th (2002), 99th (2004), 93rd (2005)

Home: Toronto, ON, Canada

Hobbies: people, tennis, movies, food

Joel Wapnick

60, University professor

Rating: 1936

Record: 24th (1978), 10th (1980), 1st (1983), 18th (1985), 14th (1987), 3rd (1988), 12th (1989), 27th (1990), 2nd (1992), 9th (1994), 19th (1996), 29th (1998), 11th (2000), 10th (2002), 9th (2004), 55th (2005)

Home: Montreal, QC, Canada

Awards and Tournament Wins: 1983 NSC; (2nd) 1993 WSC; 1998 CNSC; 1999 WSC; (2nd) 2001 WSC

Hobbies: Scrabble (more than a hobby)

Hilda Ben Nun

72, Retired

Rating: 1041

Record: 65th (2000)

Home: Modi'in, MODI'IN, Israel

Awards and Tournament Wins: 2004 National SCRABBLE Championship in Israel

Hobbies: Reading, Walking, Music

Antonio Malonzo

62, Retired government employee

Rating: 1095

First-time competitor

Home: Manila, Philippines

Awards and Tournament Wins: Baguio Open, San Pablo Philippines Open

Hobbies: basketball, jogging, swimming

Amnuay Ploysangngam

41, Businessman

Rating: 1785

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

Home: Bangkok, Thailand

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

Hobbies: Golf, Football

Panupol Sujjayakorn

21, Student

Rating: 2003

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

Home: Bangkok, Thailand

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

Hobbies: Football

Thavach T

61, University Professor

Rating: 1694

Record: 117th (1994), 28th (2000), 106th (2002), 85th (2004), 32nd (2005)

Home: Bangkok, Thailand

Hobbies: Scrabble

Arun Methaset

Age withheld, Management Executive

Rating: 1691

Record: 125th (1988), 114th (1989), 122nd (1994), 98th (1996), 60th (2000), 37th (2002), 38th (2005)

Home: Bangkok, AB, Thailand

Hobbies: Chess

Pakorn Nemitrmansuk

30, architect

Rating: 1915

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

Home: Bangkok, AB, Thailand

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

Hobbies: soccer

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