2007 SPLAT AwardsBy: IQ
Tuesday February 12, 2008
The ultimate quest in life, to be crowned the absolute very best at something. The cold hard truth is that 99.99999 percent of us will never be able to look back on our lives and be able to say "yeah, I was the best" at anything. Play concert piano? There are probably at least 10,000 people better than you. Maybe you're the smartest person among your friends. Problem is, you just don't have enough friends and there are a few million brainiacs out there whose IQ is higher than the national debt. That's the best need to be recognized, put on a pedestal, and shown off to the world, because without them, there would be no standard, no bar to reach for, and most importantly, no one to look up to.
For the first time ever, SPLAT pays tribute to the best of the best in the paintball community, from players, teams and markers to everything in between. Our special selection panel spent two weeks selecting candidates before taking final votes on who deserved to be remembered forever. Why should you care? Because anything you can do, they can do better. Have a nice day!
Player of the Year
Our Michael Jordan: If the fact that he's bringing in a bigger salary than practically all the other pro players combined isn't reason enough, the man they call Lang has become the face of our sport, whether he likes it or not. Add to that the fact that he was almost single-handedly responsible for helping turn the L.A. Ironmen into a world champion team again. With the looks, the skill, and the style of a modern-day sports star, he is our best chance at finally breaking into the mainstream.
Top 25 Players
Are You on the List? We could've based this on pure paintball ability, but that would've been impossible since once you break into the top 25, only those players are able to recognize the subtle nuances that separate their playing ability from each other. Instead, this list represents a combination of not just what you can do on the field, but off. These players represent everything that's right about our sport and our industry. They make us look good on TV, they represent their sponsors well, and without them we'd all still be stuck back in the woods.
1. Oliver Lang
2. Konstantin Federov
3. Alex Fraige
4. Nicky Cuba
5. Glenn Takemoto
6. Ryan Greenspan
7. Josh Davey
8. Brandon Short
9. Bart Blonski
10. Maximus Lundqvist
11. Andy Kopcok
12. Mike Paxson
13. Paul Everett
14. Rich Telford
15. Justin Schwarz
16. J.C. Wittington
17. Chris Lasoya
18. Brian Cole
19. Alex Lundqvist
20. Tyler Michaud
21. Travis Lemanski
22. Rocky Knuth
23. Brian Fow
24. Alex Savino
25. Zack Long
Team of the Year - Team Dynasty
D-Y-N-A-S-T....Y? Why not? The most winning team in paintball history is still the gold standard when it comes to everything a paintball team can and should be. The core roster has stayed together going on a decade, and the image and professionalism they represent is why every little paintballer in the world wants to battle in blue.
Scenario Product of the Year - Airow Gun
Prince of Thieves: It's paintball meets Robin Hood, and while many players aren't about to turn in their $1,000 super soakers in exchange for a "one ball every 10 seconds" paintball bow and arrow, the Airow Gun provided a much-needed kick in the crotch to the lackluster creative juices of the paintball community in general. Perfect proof that if you build it, they will come. And spend $$$.
SPLAT Girl of the Year - Mercedes Terrell
All-Wheel Drive: Five years ago when we developed the concept of SPLAT Girls, we never knew that it would become synonymous with players when they think of girls and paintball at the same time. This year, no one took up more of our pages than Mercedes Terrell. She broke the record for SPLAT Girl fan mail, appeared in our gift guide, and even wants to hit the field herself. No wonder everyone wants to drive a Mercedes.
Top Ten Teams
No I in Team: Unlike the Top 25 players, this baby is based on pure guts and performance. These are the BEST 10 teams in the world heading into 2008. They are all able to compete and excel in multiple game formats and their rosters are full of current and future hall of famers. From Triple Crown Champions to teams that always make it to Sunday, the level of competition has never been so consistently on a level of near-perfection, a trend that practically no sport ever gets to witness. Welcome to the golden era of tournament paintball.
1. Dynasty
2. Ironmen
3. Boston Red Legion
4. Edmonton Impact
5. Joy Division
6. Infamous
7. X-Factor
8. NE Hurricanes
9. Naughty Dogs
10. Philly All-Americans
Scenario Marker of the Year - Tippmann X-7
More Than Meets the Eye: On basic features alone, the X-7 would have had little trouble taking home the title this year for this category. Then factor in that it can transform into more cool variations than a gang of Autobots and you have the most customizable marker ever made, scenario or not. Originality is the future of scenario paintball, and the X-7 is the one that is going to lead us there.
Tournament Marker of the Year - DYE DM7
DYE Another Day: Since his humble beginnings making barrels in a garage, Dave "Youngblood" Dehan has gone from only making accessories to now having the most complete line of paintball equipment in the industry. His line of DM markers is the standard against which all other tournament-grade products are judged. The DM7 garnered more publicity through 2007 than most pro teams, and its newest sibling, the DM8, is on track to outpace its big brother heading into the new season.
Surprise of the Year - Edmonton Impact
What's It All Aboot, Eh?: Typically the only thing Canada gives the U.S. every year is an unwanted draft of cold air during the winter. This year, however, a newly pro-ranked paintball team by the name of Edmonton Impact rode across the border, becoming the new international paintball sensation faster than the Russians or Swedes could ever have hoped for. When (not if) they finally win a major title, there will only be one thing left for us U.S. players to do. Blame Canada.
Coach of the Year - Shane Pestana
Of Mice and (Iron)Men: A living paintball legend who spent nearly his entire professional paintball career with the classic edition of the Ironmen, Shane used his considerable abilities and endless field knowledge in conjuction with the raw field talent of Oliver Lang and teammates to turn the Ironmen back into what they were when Shane wore the shield on his back: world champions.
Industry Member of the Year - Shawn Walker
Walk The Line: If you're wondering why just two years ago you had never heard of Shawn Walker, don't worry, you aren't alone. The former second in command of the XPSL series, Shawn Walker experienced overnight success when he was named the acting president of both the XPSL and NPPL tournament leagues. Now one of the 10 most important people in the sport, Shawn is the Rupert Murdoch of the paintball world. Just stay away from the "Texas Ranger" jokes.
Tournament Event of the Year - NPPL Huntington Beach
Surf 'N Turf: Don't bring people to paintball. Bring paintball to the people. This simple logic eluded paintball event promoters for the better part of two decades before the NPPL stepped up and held their first Huntington Beach event in 2002. Each year the number of non-paintball spectators for HB has increased by tens of thousands of people, with a estimated quarter of a million onlookers at this year's event. It's the closest thing to the X Games that we've got, and our best shot at finally landing the mainstream boost we need to propel the sport into the next tier of advancement.
Team of the Year (Non Pro)
New Pros on the Block: With two PSP X-ball and two NPPL victories this year alone, SD Aftermath has enjoyed Dynasty-esque dominance in the semipro and open divisions all season long. They are on track to move to the pro division in both major leagues for 2008, and are expected to be a top four team (ˆ la Edmonton Impact) in their debut professional year right out of the gate.
Female Player of the Year - Kat Secor
Kat got your Tongue: Ever since the majority of well-known female players such as Keely Watson, Lisa Harvey, Seanette Taylor and Clare Benavides retired from the paintball world, it would be years before a girl would step up to once again bring female players to the forefront of the paintball world. At just 19 years old, Kat Secor has become one of the most winning female players of all time, practicing regularly with the best pros Southern California has to offer. The perfect mixture of beauty and ability, this blonde stunner has taken the throne as the new Queen of Paintball.
Tournament Product of the Year - The Paintball Rack
Rack 'Em Up: Though it originally debuted more than two years ago, the new looks and pure craftsmanship behind Russ Hamilton's paintball racks makes the majority of paintball products look like they were put together with leftover Legos. Used in dead-box stations in many of the top tournament leagues and owned by numerous teams, and available in tabletop and wall-mounted form, paintball racks are the ultimate luxury item for ballers with some coin to spare.
Paintball Video of the Year - Monkey With a Gun
Monkey Brains: Instead of just providing endlessly mind-numbing game footage, filmmaker Patrick Sporher instead decided to use his latest Monkey with a Gun production to show the world the real behind-the-scenes truth of what it's like to be a top professional team that doesn't have it as easy as Dynasty. (That's ALL other teams.) The result is a gritty and visceral viewing experience unlike any other paintball video that preceded it.
News of the Year - Expanded Media Coverage
Inside the Newsroom: When most of our editorial staff first got into paintball, there was only one major magazine (APG) and one major Web site (Warpig.com) available to players as resources for paintball news, tips, and info. Now with more than a dozen national and international publications, more than 50 Web sites, and even TV coverage making a comeback, it's now easier than ever to scratch the itch for premium paintball content. It's about time.
Scenario Event of the Year - Invasion of Normandy
Into the Record Books: What's the biggest paintball game you've ever played in? 200 players? 500? 2,500? That's just a family picnic. This year, the Invasion of Normandy World Record game at Skirmish USA in Pennsylvania played host to 4,320 players spread across four different teams, making it the single largest paintball game of all time, with the number of paintballs shot in the millions. Kind of puts your 30-person monthly private game into perspective.
Acquisition of the Year - PMI/National Merged Into KEE
KEE to the City: Individually, PMI and National Paintball Supply were two of the biggest companies in the sport, manufacturing everything from paint and goggles to scenario equipment. Now officially merged and under the joint flag of KEE Action Sports, they stand alone as the biggest source for paintball products and service across the globe, with more than 10 full brand names in production. Our Wal-Mart has arrived.
Best New Product/Service of the Year - Gun Grafitti
The Writing's on the Wall: It won't make your marker shoot any faster or straighter, but the new custom paintball graffiti barrel bands are such an original idea, it's amazing that it's taken this long for someone to think it up. Teams can have them adorned with graphics and sponsor logos, and companies have made them the new freebie giveaway of choice. Yet another way to make yourself and your gear stand out among the crowd.
Paintball Web Site of the Year - PBNation.com
One Nation, Under Paintball: With more than 360,000 registered users, PBNation.com is not only the biggest Web site in paintball (with traffic that outranks all other p-ball sites combined), it also ranks in the top 50 most popular forums on the ENTIRE Internet. You read that right. With sections that cover everything from gear and news to non-paintball-related topics, PBNation has played a larger role in the expansion of paintball knowledge than practically any other source in history.
Player of the Year (Non-Pro) - Dalton Vanderbyl
The Name.........Is Dalton: With rosters comprised of well-known former pros and outstanding up-and-comers, picking out the best player in today's semipro/open-class teams is no easy feat, but with three seasons as an Aftermath player under his belt, Dalton has played a key role in getting his team ready to play in the Majors, and is poised to make the list of Top 25 players after next season.
Play of the Year - The Throw Heard Round the World
Talk to the Hand: In what garnered the loudest applause at this year's Huntington Beach event, and therefore, the loudest applause in paintball ever, SPLAT Kids member Spencer Neveux, after finding himself without a working marker due to an ASA-line failure in the final game of the Division 2 championship match, grabbed a handful of paintballs from his hopper, ran down the last opposing player, and fast-balled him in the face mask with about five balls, with two of them breaking. Though not a legal move, the player was called out on additional hits from SPLAT Kids back player Josh Arreguin, netting the SPLAT Kids 1st-place honors at the most-watched paintball event in history, and immortalizing Spencer as the boy who taught the crowd the meaning of never giving up.
|  |
|
|
