Midwest Fantasy Preview

by Daniel Daugherty | June 12, 2013

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of the IQA.

In the week leading up to the Midwest Fantasy Tournament there will be plenty of strategy talk and plans of how to bring players from different teams together to work as one. The draft, along with the nature of the tournament, has posed many storylines. Some big ones are: how hard will teams play in order to win? Will the most skillful team triumph or will the team with the most chemistry win it all? How will big names like Lawrence Lazewski, Max Blaushild and Samuel “Sunshine” Roitblat falling to lower rounds affect their respective teams? The pools are set and I have taken the opinion of the general managers and some other people who know Midwest talent well to formulate the following predictions.

Pool A- Blue, Gray, Red, Purple and Teal

Alex Scheer of the University of Toledo, the GM for Blue Team. Photo courtesy of Bob Taylor / IC.

Blue Team

Roster (in order of draft pick)

Name, Primary Position, Identifying Team

·   (GM) Alex Scheer, Keeper, University of Toledo

·   Daniel Daugherty, Chaser, Bowling Green State University

·   Stephanie Raudenbush, Beater, Miami University

·   Meredith Taylor, Chaser, Bowling Green State University

·   Miranda Sanderlin, Beater, Purdue University

·   Ben “Snowman” Ackland, Chaser, Michigan State University

·   Lawrence Lazewski, Keeper, Michigan State University

·   Apryl Tidd, Seeker, University of Toledo

·   John Stephens, Beater, Purdue University

·   Jack Norgren, Seeker, Michigan State University

·   Rachel Sullivan, Beater, Toledo University

·   Samantha Hageman, Keeper, Grand Valley State University

·   Samantha Sorrick, Chaser, Webster University

·   Alex Chelminski, Keeper, Purdue University

·   Zach Smith, Beater, Grand Valley State University

·   Michael Scheible, Chaser, University of Michigan

The early favorite for this pool is Scheer's Blue Team. He got the highly vaunted first pick of the draft and seemed to get most of the steals as well. Drafting Lazewski in the 6th round sent shockwaves through the draft room because of his stellar track record. He was named a chaser for Team USA last summer and has led Michigan State deep into bracket play at every World Cup he has attended. A team made up of players like Lazewski, Taylor, Stephens, Raudenbush, Sanderlin and myself is definitely one to be reckoned with. Scheer also did a good job of getting players who know each other and are able to work well with one another.

Ian Hoopingarner (center) of Michigan State University, the GM for Gray Team. Photo courtesy of the Spartan Spitfires. 

Gray Team

Roster (in order of draft pick)

Name, Primary Position, Identifying Team

·   (GM) Ian Hoopingarner, Chaser, Michigan State University

·   Connor Drake, Keeper, University of Kansas

·   Dan Takaki, Seeker, Villanova University

·   Jacob Bobeldyk, Beater, Michigan State University

·   David Wilber, Chaser, Central Michigan University

·   Amanda Lofgren, Beater, Loyola University Chicago

·   Courtney Chediak, Chaser, University of Kansas

·   Dan Snyder, Keeper, Michigan State University

·   Max Blaushild, Keeper, Emerson College

·   Tyler Nagy, Chaser, Grand Valley State University

·   Lizzy Rice, Beater, Webster University

·   John Alexander, Chaser, Grand Valley State University

·   Jacob Dillon, Beater, Grand Valley State University

·   Mikey Saugstad, Chaser, Vassar College

The two teams that have the best chance of upsetting the Blue Team in this pool are Hoopingarner's Gray Team and Samy Mousa's Red Team. Hoopingarner is a great player himself and being teamed up with Drake, Wilber, Takaki and Lofgren has his team primed for a run in bracket play. Hoopingarner also found himself with what was likely the second biggest steal of the draft, taking Blaushild in the 9th round. Hoopingarner seemed to choose a starting line that compliments each other well. Wilber is a big, physical presence on both offense and defense while Hoopingarner is fast and a serious scoring threat. Drake, who is a distributor on offense,  complements these two styles well, and is definitely in the top five players in this draft in terms of helping a team gel together.

Samy Mousa (left) of the Crimson Warhawks, the GM for Red Team. Photo by Monica Wheeler.

Red Team

Roster (in order of draft pick)

Name, Primary Position, Identifying Team

·   (GM) Samy Mousa, Beater, Crimson Warhawks

·   Devon McCoy, Chaser, Ball State University

·   Anthony Ashford, Chaser, Ball State University

·   Duane Curry Jr, Chaser, Ball State University

·   Danielle Anderson, Beater, Ball State University

·   Griffin Engel, Keeper, Michigan State University

·   Tyler Walker, Chaser, Ball State University

·   Sarah Knowlton, Beater, IUSB

·   Colin DeMarco, Chaser, Grand Valley State University

·   Eric Eichelberger, Keeper, Purdue University

·   Amber Eaton, Beater, Grand Valley State University

·   Melissa Bufka, Beater, Webster University

·   Austin Haugh, Chaser, Crimson Warhawks

·   Daniel Breitenbach, Chaser, Central Michigan University

·   Rachael Hawley, Beater, University of Minnesota

·   Kern Stanley, Chaser, Eastern Michigan University

Mousa's Red Team has an imposing chaser in McCoy, who along with Ashford and Curry Jr. forms an extremely formidable and chemistry-filled male chaser line. Beater-wise, Mousa chose one in the fourth round and then another in the seventh; it will be intriguing to see how they match up with some beater-heavy teams. Based on primary position, all of Mousa's females are beaters. Mousa may have assembled the most chemistry-filled team in this pool as five of his first six picks played for Ball State University this past season. It will be interesting to see if the non-Ball State players fit in with their comfortable play style.

Will Hack of Michigan State University, the GM for Purple Team.

Purple Team

Roster (in order of draft pick)

Name, Primary Position, Identifying Team

·   (GM) Will Hack, Beater, Michigan State University

·   Trevor Campbell, Beater, Ball State University

·   Kevin Fennell, Chaser, Michigan State University

·   Anthony Votaw, Chaser, Ball State University

·   Tyler Macy, Seeker, Ball State University

·   Melinda Staup, Beater, Ball State University

·   Christin Gostola, Chaser, Central Michigan University

·   Eric Schnier, Chaser, Florida State University

·   Maya Shelton, Beater, University of Missouri

·   Rebecca Fassola, Chaser, Northern Illinois University

·   Nick Sorrentino, Chaser, Illinois State University

·   Nathaniel “Gib” Gibson, Keeper, Eastern Michigan University

·   Natalie Gawedzinski, Chaser, Webster University

·   Brian Zlotorzycki, Beater, Northern Illinois University

·   Heather Huffman, Beater, Indianapolis Quidditch

The teams I think will be at the bottom of this pool are Hack's Purple Team and Matt Eveland's Teal Team. Hack has a chemistry-filled beater core with Ball State's Campbell and Staup, but beyond that, I don't see much going for this team, especially with what appears to be an offense lacking a legitimate scoring threat. Macy is a great seeker who can double as a beater, but I just don't see them putting up enough points in their games for him to make a difference. It also doesn't help that he has to compete with other strong seekers in this pool such as Dan Takaki and Matt Eveland, who are just as capable of catching the snitch, if not more.

Matt Eveland of The Ohio State University, the GM for Teal Team. Photo courtesy of MANIC! Photography.

Teal Team

Roster (in order of draft pick)

Name, Primary Position, Identifying Team

·   (GM) Matt Eveland, Seeker, The Ohio State University

·   Julie Fritz, Beater, The Ohio State University

·   Graham Giles, Chaser, Toledo University

·   Hannah Mueller, Chaser, Illinois State University

·   Jeremy Boettner, Chaser, The Ohio State University

·   Kelsey Franklin, Beater, The Ohio State University

·   Erik Mcaninch, Keeper, Bowling Green State University

·   Scott Clancey, Seeker, University of Michigan

·   Dan Klarr, Beater, University of Michigan

·   Brian Neibecker, Chaser, Ohio University

·   Becca Pollak, Chaser, Michigan State University

·   Zach Pollock, Chaser, Ohio University

·   Jessica Torres, Beater, Toledo University

·   Austin Phan, Chaser, Ball State University

·   Chris Fellows, Keeper, Crimson Warhawks

Eveland has, in my opinion, the best female beater in the region in Julie Fritz. But as much as I love the way Giles plays (I think he's a top-five defensive chaser in this tournament), I think Eveland may have reached a little on him. Fritz is a product of an Ohio State beater strategy that is predominantly defense-based and she, coupled with the defensive prowess of Giles and defensive-minded keeper Mcaninch, should result in Eveland boasting the top defense in this pool. That being said, with the scoring punch of myself and Lazewski for the Blue Team and Hoopingarner and Drake for the Gray Team, this defense has its best shot against the Red Team,  which has the bigger offensive chaser line and the Purple Team, which lacks a legitimate scoring threat. Along with their defense, Eveland himself is a very capable seeker that could make some big catches.

Biggest questions from this pool-

How will the dynamic between myself and Lazewski work with both being predominantly ball handlers?

How will Mousa's strategy of only female beaters work against differing strategies?

How will Hoopingarner utilize his two high-caliber keepers effectively?

Who will step up to be the scoring threat for Hack's Purple Team?

Will Eveland's defense keep them within snitch range long enough for him to make a big catch?

Prediction:

1.   Blue Team (3-1) Wins: Gray, Red, Teal – Losses: Purple

2.  Gray Team (3-1) Wins: Red, Purple, Teal – Losses: Blue

3.   Red Team (2-2) Wins: Purple, Teal – Losses: Blue, Gray

4.   Purple Team (1-3) Wins: Blue – Losses: Gray, Red, Teal

5.   Teal Team (1-3) Wins: Purple – Losses: Blue, Gray, Red

 

 

Pool B- Pink, Maroon, Orange, Green, White

Luke Changet (beater, right) of The Ohio State Univeristy, the GM for Pink Team.

Pink Team

Roster (in order of draft pick)

Name, Primary Position, Identifying Team

·   (GM) Luke Changet, Keeper, The Ohio State University

·   Evan Adkins, Chaser, Bowling Green State University

·   David Prueter, Keeper, Central Michigan University

·   Danielle White, Chaser, Michigan State University

·   Brett Smith, Chaser, University of Missouri

·   Wil Kinkley, Beater, Indianapolis Quidditch

·   Jessica Banaszak, Chaser, Ball State University

·   Zach Rupp, Chaser, Ball State University

·   Mac Randolph, Chaser, Ball State University

·   David Machov, Beater, Ringling College

·   Ryan Altenbach, Chaser, Ohio University

·   Jejo Bontiago, Chaser, Illinois State University

·   Michael Reed, Chaser, IUSB

·   Chris Kostick, Chaser, N/A

Unlike Pool A, I believe Pool B has a runaway favorite, which is unusual in fantasy tournaments. Changet's Pink Team is solid from top to bottom, with players who know their role and can excel in that role. I think the key to their success is if Changet decides to play beater, even though it is his least favorite position. I am a huge Banaszak fan and teamed up with Adkins, Prueter and Kinkley, the team should have a very solid lineup. Changet is arguably the best quidditch mind in the Midwest, taking Ohio State to the sweet sixteen at World Cup VI with, in my opinion, one of the least skilled teams to make it that far.

Daniel Shapiro of the University of Missouri, the GM for Maroon Team. Photo by Monica Wheeler.

Maroon Team

Roster (in order of draft pick)

Name, Primary Position, Identifying Team

·   (GM) Daniel Shapiro, Keeper, University of Missouri

·   Matt Dwyer, Chaser, Miami University

·   Chad Brown, Beater, Bowling Green State University

·   Meyessa Mansour, Chaser, Michigan State University

·   Tim Ohlert, Beater, University of Minnesota

·   Taylor Zastrow, Beater, University of Minnesota

·   Josh Ebbesmeyer, Chaser, University of Missouri

·   McLaren Cundiff, Beater, Purdue University

·   Jayne Consolo, Chaser, Miami University

·   Evan Hoopingarner, Seeker, East Lansing High School

·   Krista Siegfried, Beater, Ohio University

·   TJ Sassorossi, Chaser, Michigan State University

·   Eroica Stackhouse, Chaser, Webster University

·   Franz Varga, Keeper, Northern Illinois University

·   Cheyenne Gaytan, Seeker, N/A

·   Abby Altman, Seeker, Saint Mary's College

The next three teams were very difficult for me to rank because I feel they are all very close in skill. Shapiro's Maroon Team has Chad Brown, who has proven time and time again that he is among the best male beaters in the region, if not the country. Dwyer is an unselfish, fast, smart chaser that can lead an offense very well. I do, however, believe Shapiro may have taken Dwyer earlier than he needed to given Dwyer's lack of endurance. A first round pick should be a player who can fight off fatigue in clutch moments, and between Dwyer's lack of endurance and unselfish nature, he will allow other players to make the game-changing plays. This poses an issue offensively because he and Shapiro are the only two quaffle players who can make game-changing plays. It will also be interesting to see how Shapiro devises a strategy with three male beaters and only one female beater. If everything goes right, this team has a chance to make a splash.

Colby Soden (left) of the University of Kansas, the GM for Orange Team. Photo courtesy of Jerry Wang Photography.

Orange Team

Roster (in order of draft picks)

Name, Primary Position, Identifying Team

·      (GM) Colby Soden, Chaser, University of Kansas

·      Joe Pavlik, Beater, Bowling Green State University

·      Cody Naverson, Keeper, University of Minnesota

·      Samantha Elgin, Chaser, Bowling Green State University

·      Samuel “Sunshine” Roitblat, Seeker, Bowling Green State University

·      Grant Daigle, Chaser, University of Kansas

·      Wil Kenney, Keeper, University of Kansas

·      Stephanie Kress, Beater, Central Michigan University

·      Alex Closson, Chaser, Bowling Green State University

·      Stephen Riccardi, Chaser, Michigan State University

·      Chad Hemmerling, Beater, Crimson Warhawks

·      Katy Adams, Beater, Purdue University

·      Tarra Craig, Chaser, Illinois State University

·      Dan Molina, Chaser, N/A

·      Mitch Bateman, Chaser, N/A

·      Jacob Watson, Beater, Ball State University

The Maroon Team's game against Soden's Orange Team is the most intriguing matchup of this pool, with Bowling Green State University beaters Chad Brown and Pavlik going up against each other. Along with Pavlik, Soden also boasts the biggest steal in this pool, getting Roitblat in the fourth round. Roitblat proved to be clutch, leading his team all the way to the Final Four with every game of bracket play being within snitch range. With his spectacular play, he even garnered some attention in the Most Valuable Player of World Cup VI discussion. Along with Pavlik and Roitblat, Soden has Elgin, Naverson, Daigle along with himself to handle the quaffle.

Isaac Mitchell (left) of Illinois State University. Photo courtesy of Jerry Wang Photography.

Green Team

Roster (in order of draft picks)

Name, Primary Position, Identifying Team

·      (GM) Isaac Mitchell, Keeper, Illinois State University

·      Rowan Young, Chaser, Illinois State University

·      Julian Burden, Chaser, Southern Illinois University

·      Rachel Firehammer, Chaser, Michigan State University

·      Kristi Todd, Beater, Ball State University

·      Mike Johnsen, Chaser, Illinois State University

·      Steven Levitt, Beater, University of Kansas

·      Colin Richards, Chaser, Illinois State University

·      Emily Stensloff, Chaser, Vassar College

·      Amanda Perry, Seeker, N/A

·      Matt Mitchell, Chaser, Illinois State University

·      Talitha Matulac, Seeker, Illinois State University

·      Gabe Unick, Seeker, Grand Valley State University

·      Danny Selgo, Keeper, Grand Valley State University

Mitchell's Green Team has the luxury of having Young, Todd and Mitchell as their best three players. Mitchell is a great keeper that can lead a team offensively and defensively, while Todd is a phenomenal beater that can lock down many offenses with just one bludger. Mitchell definitely has the most chemistry in this pool with six of the fourteen players on his team being from Illinois State University, who qualified for World Cup VI. Mitchell did not put much weight on the seeker position, waiting until the tenth round to take his first. Interestingly enough, he chose three in the next four picks with arguably his best seeker, Unick, being the last one he took.

Andrew Copeland of Southern Illinois University, the GM for White Team.

White Team

Roster (in order of draft pick)

Name, Primary Position, Identifying Team

·      (GM) Andrew Copeland, Beater, Southern Illinois University

·      Hai Nguyen, Chaser, University of Kansas

·      Tyler Rafferty, Keeper, Michigan State University

·      Tina Kinstedt, Beater, Miami University

·      Amanda Beaver, Chaser, Bowling Green State University

·      Nicole Denney, Beater, University of Kansas

·      Erick Westphal, Seeker, Northern Illinois University

·      Eric Lovell, Chaser, Purdue University

·      Luke Zak, Keeper, University of Minnesota

·      Basil Lowe, Chaser, Toledo University

·      Aleia Wright, Beater, Grand Valley State University

·      Drake Kinney, Chaser, N/A

·      Jeremy Seiler, Chaser, Eastern Michigan University

·      CJ Hardy, Chaser, N/A

·      Alexandra Andrews, Beater, IUSB

·      Andrew Hardy, Chaser, N/A

Lastly, we have Copeland's White Team. Copeland was a fill-in GM for Craig Carter, so he was gravely unprepared. He did make a solid choice grabbing Nguyen in the first round, who uses his lightning-quick speed to initiate fast breaks  and produce easy goals. Copeland also has Denney, who is an extremely knowledgeable beater. Rafferty is their last well-known player, and his biggest strength is his size and overall quidditch knowledge. It will be interesting to see if these three players can sneak out a win or two against the tough teams in their pool.

Biggest questions from this pool:

Will everyone buy into Changet's system enough to win it all?

Will Dwyer make the clutch plays that Shapiro believes he can make?

Will the chemistry of Soden's Bowling Green State University core prove advantageous?

Can Mitchell lead his offense enough to push his team into the late rounds of bracket play?

Can Nguyen make enough game changing plays to upset any team in their pool?

Prediction:

1. Pink (4-0) Wins: Maroon, Orange, Green, White – Losses: None

2. Maroon (2-2) Wins: Orange, White – Losses: Pink, Green

3. Orange (2-2) Wins: Green, White – Losses: Pink, Maroon

4. Green (2-2) Wins: Maroon, White – Losses: Pink, Orange

5. White (0-4) Wins: None – Losses: Pink, Maroon, Orange, Green

Finals Prediction:

Alex Scheer's Blue Team defeating Luke Changet's Pink Team 110*-50

Will Hack, Daniel Shapiro, Alex Scheer, Samy Mousa, Luke Changet, McLaren Cundiff, and Alexis Moody all contributed reporting