Wow, where to start? Lets just say that I never want to wait 3 hours in between games again when i'm that tired LOL. I know that it made us all a little bit grumpy and probably didn't help our games out at all....we all know that it definitely didn't make Jamie happy HAHAHAHA.
Well, it started off awesome. The fields looked great and I was glad to see my boys again. Well, it got to the next day and I got to watch Redemption kick some butt in their first game, which was greg and a bunch of other friends in newbie division. I was way too tired from waking up early and I knew that it would be a long day.
Well, we finally got to play at about 3pm and our first game went decently. We played pretty strong but still ended up losing to DV8. Our second game went our way and we ended up beating Steadmans team in a tight game with just Chad left. After that things went downhill and we just couldn't buy a win to save our lives. We ended up being there till 10:30pm which meant I had been there for 15 hours. After our last game was said and done we were 1-5-1 leaving us in last place. We were getting smashed and we couldn't do anything about it. We went home tired, bruised and beaten not wanting to know what the next day would bring.
Well, sunday didn't start off well. Just as we were packing our cars to go to the tourney we got a phone call saying that we were on the field (or supposed to be) and we were still a half hour away. We arrived very late but hadn't missed a game yet thanks to Normy except now we were being called on both fields for simultaneous games (YIKES). We got on field with no prep time for our first game and felt really good, we rolled through that team in about 30-45 seconds with 4 alive for our second win. Our next game we ended up winning just as convincingly with 4 alive again. Our final prelim game was another strong win and that meant we were unbeaten on sunday and moved our record to 4-5-1. We all thought it was too little too late though but at least we had our pride. Turns out, while checking the scoreboard we managed to move from 11th to 6th and into the last semis spot.
Semis started with us playing impact 2. They got us down pretty fast and I ended up being last one left taking two before they got me....they win 3 strong. Now we must win against DV8 or else its over. The game starts and we move as we please, and end up beating them pretty good with Chad getting the last guy with a bunker.....YESSS, from last to at least top 4.
what can I say about finals though? Well, its cool that we were there but we really just sorta showed up and got shot LOL. We got smashed all 3 games and ended up 4th overall. Oh well, for being 11th after day 1 I'm not gonna complain and when it mattered we really came together and played like we knew we could.
In the awards ceremonies, I ended up winning the Ty Schlichenmayer memorial award for Most Outstanding Player which blew me away. It was a huge surprise and I was just stunned to be picked. I gave a speech where I don't remember what I said and don't remember if I even got a picture of it I was so nervous LOL.
Anyways, i just wanted to thank my boys for everything, you were all incredible as usual and I love you all like brothers. There is no where I would rather be when I'm at a tournament with you guys.
Thanks for everything Hailstorm.
Matty.
HAILSTORM FOREVER
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Matt "Swagger" Janzen -
C4 2003 Champions -
C4 2004 Champions -
Team Hailstorm -
Nasty Shocker #73
That's exactly the same thing we were thinking Scotty!! LOL. Actually on the trophy it says: "Most Outstanding Player" but when Richard made the speach he was very specific that this award wasn't necessarily for, quote unquote: "The most amazing player or the biggest game breaker". We had to keep reminding Matty of that or else his head wouldn't fit in the car!!
But seriously, the award was to be given to the person who worked hard, played with skill and class, and most importantly just loves the game. Matty does all of those things and he definitely made all of us proud being selected for the award. That's what Hailstorm is all about, we're not going to try to make a jump to the podium by playing like most everyone else and cheating when we get the chance. We're going to get there by working hard and playing as a team.
So for all you kids out there, the new season is about to begin, if you want to make something of yourself as paintballer or as a team, play every chance you get, watch the more experienced players; take pointers and ask questions. Most importantly, have fun and play fair. That's the only way to do it.
God bless boyz! I can't wait for the new season to get started....until then, Keep fit and Have fun!
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Danny Groening
Captain Team Hailstorm #52 '03 '04 C-4 Champs
