SCRABBLE - The Last Word Newsletter

58S C R A B B L E C H A M P I O N S T O U R N A M E N TSam Kantimathi, from Sacramento, CA, has been playing tournamentSCRABBLE in the United States since the early 1980s. He has won 47tournaments, most impressively the inaugural Collins National Championship inOrlando last year. Other major wins include the Thailand International (1984);the Manila International (1997--$10,000 first prize!); Wisconsin Dells (2001); theSilicon Valley Showdown (2001); Tucson (2001); Albany (2008); the DallasTournament of Champions (2008); Phoenix (2009); Victoria (CSW, 2010); andthe ArdenCup (CSW, 2011). He has played in over 400 tournaments, including17 National SCRABBLE Championships, the 1995 SCRABBLE Superstars Showdown, and the2003 All Stars Championship. He has played for TeamUSA at the World SCRABBLE Championshipin 2003, 2007, and 2009, finishing 29th of 104 in 2007. His current CSW rating is 2047 (peak 2054),making him the 2nd ranked Collins player in the United States.John O’Laughlin, from Boston, MA, has been playing tournament SCRABBLEsince 2001. He has won 26 tournaments, including Twin Cities (2002, 2007);Baltimore (2007); the Texas SOWPODS Challenge (CSW, 2008); the MaineEvent (2008); Seattle (CSW, 2010); Bethesda (CSW, 2011); BAT (CSW, 2011and 2013); Portsmouth (CSW, 2011); Old Greenwich (CSW, 2011); and Portland(CSW, 2013). He has played for TeamUSA at the last five World SCRABBLEChampionships, finishing 14th of 102 in 2005. His current CSW rating is 2039(peak 2045), making him the 4th ranked Collins player in the United States.Chris Cree, from Dallas, TX, has been playing tournament SCRABBLE for forover 30 years. He has played in more than 400 tournaments, winning 92. Hismajor wins include Dallas (1983); Reno (1989); the Texas State Championship(1991, 1992, 2012); Tucson (2000); Phoenix (2002); Mid-Cities (2003, 2008);Houston (2003, 2007); the ArdenCup (2006); Oklahoma City (2009); Columbia(2010); Austin (2010, 2011, 2012); Irving (2011, 2012); Orlando (2012); and theEastern Championship (2013). He has played for TeamUSA at the WorldSCRABBLE Championships in 2001 and 2011, finishing 73rd of 106 in 2011.His current CSW rating is 1875 (peak 1891), making him the 21st ranked Collins player in theUnited States.Geoff Thevenot, from Austin, TX, has been playing tournament SCRABBLEsince 2003. He has played in 100 tournaments, winning 22, including majorwins at the Can-Am Match (2007); the Texas State Championship (2008, 2011);Austin (2009); Phoenix (CSW, 2010); the California Open (2010); Waco (2012);and New Orleans (CSW, 2013). He has played for TeamUSA at the last threeWorld SCRABBLE Championships, finishing 16th of 106 in 2011 and 21st in2009 and 2007. His current CSW rating is 2010, making him the 8th rankedCollins player in the United States.Brian Bowman, from Villa Hills, KY, has been playing tournament SCRABBLEsince 2006. He has played in 86 tournaments, winning 22. His major winsinclude Pontiac, MI (2008); Elyria, OH (2008, 2010, 2013); Pittsburgh (2009);Warren, MI (2010); Akron, OH (CSW, 2010); Cleveland (2010); Findlay, OH(2011); Albany, NY (CSW, 2013); and Port Clinton, OH (2013). He has playedfor Team USA at the last two World SCRABBLE Championships, finishing 23rdof 108 in 2009. His current CSW rating is 1984 (peak 2008), making him the11th ranked Collins player in the United States.