Nov. 13, 2005
2005 PSP World Cup
I left Minnesota with threats of Wilma hitting Florida hard.
I had concerns about the hurricane, but not really. That’s what
paintball is: sacrifice.
World Cup was held again
at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando. While the weather had many
scared off, the hurricane (in Orlando) turned out to be mostly hype
minus some rain and minimal flooding, but no damage to the fields.
Disney’s sports complex is a prime location with ample parking, nice
grass, and level playing fields.
World Cup is definitely the most important event all year; it’s where
you go to prove yourself. You aren’t a paintball player unless you’re at
Cup. It’s comparable to the World Series, Stanley Cup, or Superbowl. As
far as I’m concerned attendance should be mandatory for any athlete
serious about the game.
Cup has always been good about bringing out a lot of teams, especially
Minnesotan teams. This year was no exception with 6 teams and a handful
of local players.
A spruced up Team Magnum, a combination of Northside and original Magnum
players, formed the lone Minnesota X-ball team, division III at World
Cup. Magnum lost their first game to a team called Date Support Systems
(sweet name), 6-7. This loss put the team in the loser’s bracket where
they fell to Adderall Kids Factory (once again, sweet name) 2-11. I had
a chat with Magnum player Matt Leizinger after the games. This was
Leizinger’s first major event and he said playing X-ball was a great
learning experience for him and his teammates. The format of the game
really showed them how fast-paced X-ball is. I wish nothing but the best
for Team Magnum. It was great watching this Minnesota team compete in
the X-ball league.
Team Splatball proved that Cup is the place to prove you’re a champion.
The Minnesota team walked away with the Division II, 5-Man championship
and the overall series title of the PSP. Their talent and teamwork made
them fun to watch as they rolled through teams. Congratulations to the
champs!
Team Vintage who usually competes in Division II, X-ball attempted
trying their luck in 5-man. I spoke with many of the players who said
they really didn’t like the format of 5-man; it was slow and unforgiving
and they couldn’t try new moves or run-throughs to break games open.
Their style of play really didn’t agree to the 5-man format and many
teams knew this. Vintage played poorly, a record poor for the team
actually. Vintage went 3 and 5, not even making the quarter-final cut.
The team is going through many changes in the off-season. They should be
the team to keep an eye on next year.
In Division II, 5-Man, St. Croix Paintball Supply stepped up their level
of play at World Cup winning 5, losing 3 in prelims and maxing their
last two games. In quarter-finals the team won 2 out of 3 in a close
game advancing them to semi-finals. Once in semi’s they seemed to be out
gunned and only took 1 of 3 games and took home the overall 13th spot.
St. Croix Paintball Supply showed great improvement all year for such a
new team. Congrats guys.
A team that has been improving all year is team God Squad. They proved
themselves at Cup in the Division III, 5-Man winning 6 of 8 prelim
games, an improvement from their previous event record, but failed to
advance. I commend them on their improving playing abilities, along with
their team loyalty, and of course, their superb sportsmanship.
The young and talented team Zero was expected to place well in the
Division III, 5-Man.. They started off well winning most their prelim
games, minus a lose to team R.P.S. and made the quarter finals with
ease. However, their luck ended short and they didn’t make the
semi-final cut.
The MN Krew was in effect representing the state in the 5-man young guns
division. The team, mainly made up of players from the Splatball Kidz,
rolled through prelims only loosing two games. After prelims the cut for
semi’s was high and MN Krew went in as 8th seed. Unfortunately, MN Krew
couldn’t find their rhythm and lost all three of their semi-final games.
Nevertheless, way to make it to Sunday. Well done guys.
In addition to Minnesota teams, a handful of individual athletes played
on national teams at Cup. Nate Boyer of team Vintage and Jon Cao,
formerly of the L.A. Ironmen, played for the Bushwackers in Division I.
Karrin Schroepfer, played with team LTZ who had a good event, but had
both of their losses handed to them from the Denver Altitude. Despite
the loses LTZ took home the series title. Great job LTZ and Karrin! Paul
Roberts was playing for Docs Raiders, in Division I X-ball. Doc had
stacked his team and pretty much rolled through event. Congratulations
to Docs Raiders and Paul Roberts for their win at World Cup. Well
deserved! Pat Roberts, Todd Hugo, and Aaron Tholey rounded out the last
of the Minnesota players playing at World Cup. All three played with the
Philly Americans in the NXL. The Americans beat Miami Effect in two
games early on in the week but lost their series to the Oakland
Assassins. (If you’re curious to see how I did personally against
Oakland, my stats are provided at www.aarontholey.com courtesy of Pro
Paintball Stats.)
To all the Minnesota and Midwest teams and players—congrats for a good
showing at World Cup 2005. I better see you at the next World Cup.
For more information and final standings check out the PSP website
www.pspevents.com.
Here is a link to the PSP website if you are looking for more
information on the PSP.
www.pspevents.com
This is Aaron “Lumberjack” Tholey reporting on the PSP World Cup 2005
with nothing but hATe!
For more information on our contributing writer Aaron Tholey please
visit
www.aarontholey.com
Read more
from Aaron on MNpig.com
