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NASC 2015 Commentary: Round 15

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Go to: Before the Tournament, Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 7, Round 8, Round 9, Round 10, Round 11, Round 12, Round 13, Round 14, Round 15, Round 16, Round 17, Round 18, Round 19, Round 20, Round 21, Round 22, Round 23, Round 24, Round 25, Round 26, Round 27, Round 28, Round 29, Round 30, Round 31.

Round 15

Another sunny day in the paradise of Reno, Nevada. Peter Sokolowski has arrived to represent Merriam-Webster. he is a tweet fiend, @petersokolowski.

Jesse Matthews is back for some parts of today, when he isn’t otherwise obligated. He has finally been given his title for this NASC. He is Jesse Matthews, On Screen Talent. So, there you have it. I think I may just call him Mr. OST.

A fashion note. Jason Keller (Highland Park, NJ) has declared today “orange Monday.” He is in orange from his shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, phone cover, tiles, to his bright orange vuvuzela#. He squared off against Joel Sherman (Bronx, NY) today. Eschewing the orange, Joel is wearing his red NW hat, a gift to all championship players in Las Vegas a few years ago. The hat looks like it has an incredibly “cursived” MW on the front, but it is actually an NW for Noah Webster. You might see one of the hats in some of the event photos. Joel is sitting atop his folded legs, his shins touching the chair top. He looks like a kid! I see TUNICLES on their board.

April McCarley (Austin, TX) opened her board 1 in division 3 game with EXERTS. Her opponent, Bill Ewing (Missoula, MT), replied with TURDINeS to the S, down the triple lane. He then pulled the second blank. I walked off to let that game play out. I find out later that he won.

Board 2 in division 3 featured Charles Dupont (Seattle, WA) against Daniel Novinson (San Francisco, CA). They started uniquely, with the first 5 plays, all horizontal and all within the middle three rows, like a belt. The middle row was PLANT, empty space, QI, empty space, FORCES. So, triple square to triple square, there were only two spaces!

Chris Williams (Vancouver BC) got down HARRIED early in his game with Gunther Jacobi (Portland, OR).

Cooper Komatsu (Los Angeles, CA) holds Chris Autio (Missoula, MT) on his play of MATRIAL*. I walk off so they can proceed without prying eyes. Chris on their game, 481-293.

I catch Chris Cree (Dallas, TX) at table 1 with Joey Krafchick (Richardson, TX). I see Joey’s EpHEDRIN and ARSINES and Chris’ CLOUTING. Chris is holding a blank and then puts down TRuSSED. Joey led at that point, 271-254. Chris went on to win, 454-323. Check out their annotated game this round! I am saddened to report that Joey finally decided to replace his photo on our live coverage site. For years, he used one from when he was 8 or so. I loved looking at it whenever I went to his live link!

I catch Kate Fukawa-Connelly (Lawrenceville, NJ) put down CLEANER, which hooked to create MAWN. Her opponent, Joel Elkins (West Hollywood, CA), came right back with DOLERITE through the T. I see AROINTEd on the board. I asked her, afterwards, how it went and she replied, “weird.” A 463-414 weird win for her!

Clad in his grilled cheese truck T-shirt, Conrad Bassett-Bouchard (Piedmont, CA) squared off against his in real life roommate, Kolton Koehler (Portland, OR). My favorite play was NAEVI down the triple for some points. But otger pretty plays were TAENIOID, tONIFIED, PAToOTS, and CHEAPEST. Kolton pulled out the win with a better assortment of those cubes that come in that cloth bag as the game wore on, despite Conrad starting strong with two blank bingos.

Manop Phiphatboonserm (Thailand) had a bingo-bango-bongo against Joshua Sokol (Montreal QC) this round: nIOBATES, BETAINE, and GrEEDILY to the Y. As I inhaled to ask who won, I got that “you aren’t going to ask me, are you?” look, so I’m just going to assume that a BBB is terrific guarantee of a win.

Charles Reinke (Middleton, WI) vs. Ian Weinstein (Coral Springs, FL). GRAnULE was Ian’s opening play. Charles replied with COVERING and then later played sTRIATA. Ian also got down TORUSES, SARCOIDS (I wonder if being a medical doctor is part of the key to his terrific success in SCRABBLE!), and the nonbingos of OVULARY through the V and ZAIDY from the Z. It was a win for Charles, 484-421.

Dan Stock runs up and tells me of the best Reno word so far and it was played on a board in his division: NUGGETS!

Doug Brockmeier (San Francisco, CA) vs. Will Anderson (Croton, NY): On their in-progress board, I spot SIDERiTE, MONILIAE (blank L), YAUPON, and TETRYL.

Jason Li (Dollard-Des-Ormeaux QC) vs. Jesse Day (Berkeley, CA). This board is gorgeous. I catch EqUISETA, FIREBASE through the S, and SAUTEED for Jesse. Jason played SEASONER and GLIADIN. While I watch, Jesse played FRAZIL from the F down the triple for 54. Cool as a cucumber, Jason replied with his own premium tile play: MOJO through the first O for 36. Jesse’s win, 525-375.

They were cooking with gas at table 2 in the Collins division: Becky Dyer (Austin, TX) vs. Evans Clinchy (Boston, MA). I see BATTeNED and HeRRING on their board. I stepped away for a couple of minutes and came back and saw Evans’ OZAENA# alongside BATTENED, creating OB#, ZA, AT, ET, Ne, and AN. How do we like them apples, huh!? She was so impressed, she pointed it out to me while her clock was running! Evans looks frozen to the bone, his hoodie pulled over the top of his head and zipped to the top. He is sitting barefoot and cross-legged with his breakfast bag on the floor near his gear bag. I actually have a hard time getting close to the board from that side! A close win for Evans, 432-427.

Clad in a Phillies jersey, Stefan Rau (Hudson, NY) is playing Austin Shin (United Kingdom) this round. I see GETTERS, NOTECAsE, ATONIES, TUTENaGS#, and LATERAD. Austin’s win, 446-435.

Joe Edley (Port Jefferson, NY) is playing Thomas Reinke (Middleton, WI) this round. He spends a lot of his pregame time these days with his eyes closed, breathing deeply, and focusing within. Whatever it is, it is working. Despite Thomas’ 140-point early lead, Joe won that game. I see his VOGUEING, DIGESTER, and PREFrOZE (Joe later added an N to it!). Thomas played EXERTION and SAMSARA. In the endgame, I happened by and Joe was doing an endgame tracking check while Thomas focused on his next play.

Panupol Sujjayakorn (Thailand) vs. Orry Swift (Houston, TX). JEHADI and UMPTY jump out at me. And right then, they jump up to the challenge machine. Orry has extended VOICE to VOICEBOX* and Panupol didn’t like it one bit. Off it came. Panupol opened with FORERAN for 78 and Orry replied with VARIANTs through the R for 70. I see Panupol’s ANODYNES for 67, UREtERS for 64 and ENTOILER for 65. Orry played HEIFERS for 76. After calling off Orry’s phone, Panupol went out and caught Orry with BREOX. A 546-318 win for Panupol. I was relieved to see Amnuay Ploysangngam (Thailand) happen by and want to check out Panupol’s scoresheet and need to take out his reading glasses to see it. I can’t see it without mine!

I catch Leesa Berahovich (Berkeley, CA) and Jim Burlant (Grapevine, TX) at the challenge machine: CURR is good!

Oh good! Robin is now here to join in the fun with Jesse and me!

Division 1 Round 15 Auto-Commentary

Joe Edley (Port Jefferson, NY) seizes the lead, 12-3 +918, on a 5-game winning streak. Panupol Sujjayakorn (Thailand) is 1 game behind at 11-4 +990, on a 6-game winning streak, #2 climbing from #5. Joey Krafchick (Richardson, TX) is +846, #3 slipping from #1. Chris Cree (Dallas, TX) is +628, on a 4-game winning streak, #4 climbing from #6. Orry Swift (Houston, TX) is +428, #5 slipping from #3. Jesse Day (Berkeley, CA) is +402, #6 rising from #7. Thomas Reinke (Middleton, WI) is 2 games behind the leader at 10-5 +959, #7 down from #4. Will Anderson (Croton, NY) is +730, #8 improving from #10. Matthew Tunnicliffe (Ottawa ON) is +545, #9 improving from #12. Laurie Cohen (Tempe, AZ) is +518, on a 3-game winning streak, #10 rising from #14.

In Class B: Chris Cree (Dallas, TX) is the lead, 11-4 +628, on a 4-game winning streak. Thomas Reinke (Middleton, WI) is 1 game behind at 10-5 +959, #7 down from #4. Charles Reinke (Middleton, WI) is 2 games behind the leader at 9-6 +573, #16 up from #20. Leesa Berahovich (Berkeley, CA) is +340, #18 climbing from #23. Darrell Day (Richardson, TX) is +233, #19 dropping from #16. Patricia Barrett (Houston, TX) is +136, #20 tumbling from #15. Sal Piro (New York, NY) is +104, #21 slipping from #17. Manop Phiphatboonserm (Thailand) is +87, on a 4-game winning streak, #22 up from #26.

In Class C: Ross Brown (Ottawa ON) is the lead, 8-7 +146, on a 4-game winning streak. Terry Kang Rau (Hudson, NY) is -20, #30 jumping up from #37. Alec Sjoholm (Lynnwood, WA) is 1 game behind at 7-8 +169, #39 dropping from #33. Jeff Fiszbein (South Lyon, MI) is -189, #43 up from #50. Greg Heidler (Waialua, HI) is -252, #45 dropping from #38. Amnuay Ploysangngam (Thailand) is -489, #47 jumping up from #52. Joel Elkins (West Hollywood, CA) is -651, #48 jumping down from #43. Paul Erland (Pegram, TN) is 1.5 games behind the leader at 6.5-8.5 -31, #50 climbing from #55.

High Win: Panupol Sujjayakorn (Thailand) 546-318 vs. Orry Swift (Houston, TX). Low Win: Richard Popper (Wilmington, DE) 384-374 vs. Siri Tillekeratne (Calgary AB). High Loss: Sal Piro (New York, NY) 472-490 vs. Trey Wright (Sierra Madre, CA). Low Loss: Jim Burlant (Grapevine, TX) 265-391 vs. Leesa Berahovich (Berkeley, CA).

Division 2 Round 15 Auto-Commentary

Howard Pistol (Oakland Park, FL) remains in the lead, 13-2 +1029, on a 7-game winning streak. Chris Williams (Vancouver BC) is 1 game behind at 12-3 +807, steady at #2. Jeff Martin (Albuquerque, NM) is 2 games behind the leader at 11-4 +823, #3 improving from #5. Tod Taylor (Seattle, WA) is +238, on a 7-game winning streak, #4 up from #7.

In Class : In Class B: Jeff Martin (Albuquerque, NM) is the lead, 11-4 +823. Tod Taylor (Seattle, WA) is +238, on a 7-game winning streak, #4 up from #7. Kit Morehead (Berkley, MI) is 1 game behind at 10-5 +414, on a 5-game winning streak, #9 rising from #12. Mark Peltier (Seattle, WA) is -87, #13 dropping from #8. Guy Ingram (Ellenwood, GA) is 1.5 games behind the leader at 9.5-5.5 -100, #15 jumping up from #20.

In Class C: Carolyn Easter (Birmingham, MI) is the lead, 10-5 +216. Paula Catanese (Mountain View, CA) is 1 game behind at 9-6 +408, #18 tumbling from #11. Elizabeth Ralston (Los Angeles, CA) is +66, #23 jumping down from #18. Gwen Stewart (Ellicott City, MD) is -51, #25 jumping up from #31. Edward Gowash (Fort Worth, TX) is 2 games behind the leader at 8-7 +184, #32 climbing from #36. Carol McDonald (Northboro, MA) is -45, #36 rocketing up from #49. Cynthia Pughsley (Oakland, CA) is -153, #39 whizzing up from #50. Carl Davis (Riverdale, GA) is -162, #40 plummeting from #29. Bruce Shuman (Wilmington, NC) is -620, #42 hurtling up from #55.

High Win: Joanne Cohen (Owings Mills, MD) 554-258 vs. Charlene White (Kearny, NJ). Low Win: Emily Brodeur (Nashville, TN) 333-297 vs. Connie Creed (Philadelphia, PA). High Loss: Arun Methaset (Thailand) 434-436 vs. Caesar Jaramillo (Seagraves, TX). Low Loss: Charlene White (Kearny, NJ) 258-554 vs. Joanne Cohen (Owings Mills, MD).

Division 3 Round 15 Auto-Commentary

Bill Ewing (Missoula, MT) stays in the lead for the 8th consecutive round, 14-1 +889. Charles Dupont (Seattle, WA) is 2 games behind at 12-3 +1051, on a 4-game winning streak, hovering at #2 for 4 rounds. Tapani Lindgren (Roseville, CA) is 3 games behind the leader at 11-4 +539, #3 improving from #5. Lynda Wise (Toronto ON) is +380, #4 climbing from #6. April McCarley (Austin, TX) is +295, #5 slipping from #3.

In Class B: Carol Tillson (Silver Spring, MD) is the lead, 10-5 +485. Zachary Ansell (Los Angeles, CA) is +159, #12 leaping up from #20. Margo Kuno (Philadelphia, PA) is 1 game behind at 9-6 +26, #25 dropping from #19. Josephine Flowers (West Memphis, AR) is 1.5 games behind the leader at 8.5-6.5 +484, on a 3-game winning streak, #28 leaping up from #33.

In Class C: Chloe Fatsis (Washington, DC) is the lead, 10-5 +241. Chris Autio (Missoula, MT) is 1 game behind at 9-6 +301, on a 3-game winning streak, #19 soaring from #29. Joey Gordon (Fort Worth, TX) is +67, #24 tumbling from #18. Noah Kalus (New Paltz, NY) is -160, #27 jumping up from #32. Sander Post (Ottawa ON) is 2 games behind the leader at 8-7 +246, #31 tumbling from #26. Anne LaDu (Des Moines, IA) is +183, #32 up from #38. Cooper Komatsu (Los Angeles, CA) is +113, on a 3-game losing streak, #33 jumping down from #24. Troy Millington (Calgary AB) is +39, on a 3-game winning streak, #36 up from #39.

High Win: Zachary Ansell (Los Angeles, CA) 553-328 vs. Cornelia Guest (Bethel, CT). Low Win: Josh Greenway (Toronto ON) 350-316 vs. Julia Bogle (Indianapolis, IN). High Loss: Paul Hagelstein (Waco, TX) 424-464 vs. Nola Hembrook (Marshfield, WI). Low Loss: Diane Kerner (Beverly Hills, CA) 246-382 vs. Mary Pastore (Pearland, TX).

Division 4 Round 15 Auto-Commentary

Jennifer DeWaelsche (San Antonio, TX) stays in the lead for the 5th consecutive round, 12-3 +616. Richard Banker (Ankeny, IA) is 1 game behind at 11-4 +685, on a 4-game winning streak, steady at #2. Hannah Rozear (Durham, NC) is +572, unchanged at #3. Jack Peters (Nantucket, MA) is 2 games behind the leader at 10-5 +559, #4 climbing from #8. Peter Hopkins (Toronto ON) is +432, #5 leaping up from #10. Jamie De Jong (Ottawa ON) is +177, on a 7-game winning streak, #6 climbing from #11. Jim Laris (Altadena, CA) is +130, on a 3-game losing streak, #7 sliding from #4.

In Class B: Jennifer DeWaelsche (San Antonio, TX) is the lead for the 5th consecutive round, 12-3 +616. Richard Banker (Ankeny, IA) is 1 game behind at 11-4 +685, on a 4-game winning streak, unchanged at #2. Jamie De Jong (Ottawa ON) is 2 games behind the leader at 10-5 +177, on a 7-game winning streak, #6 climbing from #11. Jim Laris (Altadena, CA) is +130, on a 3-game losing streak, #7 sliding from #4.

In Class C: Jack Peters (Nantucket, MA) is the lead, 10-5 +559. Dustin Brown (Fairfield, CT) is 1 game behind at 9-6 +403, #8 dropping from #7. Donna Leigh (Menomonee Falls, WI) is 2 games behind the leader at 8-7 +258, #18 climbing from #21. Sheng Guo (Amawalk, NY) is +21, #20 rising from #23. Chandra Hebert (Lafayette, LA) is -116, on a 3-game winning streak, #23 improving from #26.

High Win: Aron Smith (Blythe, CA) 499-321 vs. Arthur van Tol (Grandville, MI). Low Win: Deanna Stacy (Des Moines, IA) 333-299 vs. Gladys Burritt (Eureka, CA). High Loss: Evan McCarthy (Windham, NH) 366-405 vs. Hannah Rozear (Durham, NC). Low Loss: Karen Kaminski (Demotte, IN) 229-441 vs. Constance J Creech (Metamora, MI).

Division CSW Round 15 Auto-Commentary

Dave Wiegand (Portland, OR) stays in the lead, 13-2 +1187, on a 3-game winning streak. Austin Shin (United Kingdom) is 1 game behind at 12-3 +518, #2 rising from #3. Becky Dyer (Austin, TX) is 2 games behind the leader at 11-4 +862, #3 down from #2. Evans Clinchy (Boston, MA) is +499, steady at #4 for 4 rounds. Amit Chakrabarti (Hanover, NH) is +343, still at #5.

High Win: Peter Armstrong (Oakland, CA) 509-389 vs. Tim Weiss (Jersey City, NJ). Low Win: Lynda Woods Cleary (Princeton, NJ) 375-347 vs. Betty Eriksen (New Zealand). High Loss: Geoffrey Newman (Brampton ON) 476-489 vs. Amit Chakrabarti (Hanover, NH). Low Loss: Ben Berger (Germany, Federal Republic of) 271-383 vs. Pat Schuberg (Australia).