On a misty morning in De Pere, Wisconsin, as the thermometer hesitated at 48°F but felt more like a chilling 42°F, a different kind of frostiness was unfolding inside District 82 Pinball. The Super Series Event 5: Certified Main Event had set the stage for intense pinball combat.
The 12-Hour Odyssey
Kicking off at a brisk 9:00 AM on October 14, 2023, Erik Thoren, the mastermind behind District 82, had orchestrated a symphony of flippers and lights. Over 10 grueling rounds, 102 players vied for the top spots, and the spotlight of the day was truly stolen by the magnificent eight:
- Max Senesac – A Top 10 player in Wisconsin with an IFPA rank of 115 and a vast experience of 248 IFPA Events.
- Dave Stewart – Hailing from Seattle, Dave showcased why he’s a force to reckon with, boasting an IFPA rank of 64 and having competed in 748 IFPA Events.
- Carlos Delaserda – With an IFPA rank of 13 and having participated in 442 IFPA Events, Carlos proved why he’s a titan in the pinball world.
- Travis Murie – Holding the IFPA rank of 18 and having been part of 194 IFPA Events, Travis’s gameplay spoke louder than words.
- Erik Thoren – Not just an organizer but also a player par excellence, Erik, with an IFPA rank of 54, has been a part of 377 IFPA Events.
- Aaron Rich – Climbing the ranks with an IFPA rank of 62 and having 149 IFPA Events under his belt, Aaron truly shone.
- Nate Grant – hailing from Pelzer, SC, Nate, with an IFPA rank of 56, has participated in 193 IFPA Events.
- Luke Nahorniak – Wisconsin’s current pinball leader, holding an impressive IFPA rank of 5 and having been part of a massive 523 IFPA Events.
Monopoly: A Game of Time and Skill
In a jaw-dropping Quarterfinal on Stern’s Monopoly, the game extended for an incredible 100 minutes! Luke Nahorniak proved his mettle, followed by Aaron Rich, Matthew Richardson, and Ken Grant.
A Pinball Museum
District 82 isn’t just an arcade; it’s a treasure trove of pinball’s golden history, with machines like Doodle Bug, Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure, Star Trek by Bally, and many more, each with its own storied legacy.
Atmosphere: A Double-Edged Sword?
While District 82 Pinball’s website is awash with 5-star reviews, some find the challenging gameplay not to their liking. Yet, for a tournament of this scale, the settings seem apt.
Wisconsin’s Pinball Legends
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Nahorniak | Lonsdale | 1523.54 |
| 2 | Jared August | West Bloomfield Township | 1165.21 |
| 3 | Steven Bowden | Palatine | 1143.75 |
| 4 | Neil Graf | Appleton | 1143.64 |
| 5 | Escher Lefkoff | 1050.06 | |
| 6 | David Daluga | Milwaukee | 892.83 |
| 7 | Erik Thoren | De Pere | 864.22 |
| 8 | Jason Werdrick | Park Ridge | 848.45 |
| 9 | Carlos Delaserda | Columbus | 771.31 |
| 10 | Max Senesac | Cudahy | 759.17 |
In the world of pinball, the game is more than just flippers and scores. It’s about passion, strategy, and the journey to the top. Keep the ball rolling, and stay tuned for more tales from the flipper-filled world!