Learn more about Grand Prix Louisville's Top 4 teams—including who they are, what they've done in the game, and more—by taking a look through their profiles!
Rubin-Hayne-Sigrist
Name: Alexander Hayne
Age: 28
Hometown: Westmount, Quebec.
Occupation: Dark Wanderer
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Pro Tour Avacyn Restored champion; Four Grand Prix wins.
How did your team come together for this tournament? I couldn't find anyone else who could put up with me.
What were your best cards this weekend? Drag Under, It of the Horrid Swarm and Wharf Infiltrator needs some money because it went to work overtime.
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? “WE DEM BOYZ!”” Steve and Siggy were all about it.
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? They gave great advice and played fantastically (no, really!)
Name: Steve Rubin
Age: 24
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Occupation: Magic player, high school coach
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Pro Tour Shadows Over Innistrad champion
How did your team come together for this tournament? We were previously teammates on the Pro Tour.
What were your best cards this weekend? Lunarch Mantle and Bloodbriat.
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? We dem boyz. It's a Wiz Khalifa song. I'm Taylor Gang.
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? They won matches!
Name: Mike Sigrist
Age: 33
Hometown: Foxboro, MA
Occupation: Magic player/content provider
Previous Magic Accomplishments: 2014-15 Player of the Year
How did your team come together for this tournament? We test together for Pro Tours.
What were your best cards this weekend? Distended Mindbender — I had it in both my decks.
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? We Dem Boyz. Me and Steve would sing it a lot during testing.
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? Hayne helped on tough decisions and Steve ordered the Ubers.
Cohen-Severa-Black
Name: Justin Cohen
Age: 31
Hometown: Madison, WI
Occupation: Pro Magic player
Previous Magic Accomplishments: 2nd place, Pro Tour Fate Reforged; Grand Prix Washington D.C. winner
How did your team come together for this tournament? Longtime friends and teammates
What were your best cards this weekend? Lone Rider. Spectral Reserves. Borrowed Grace. Collective Effort.
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? N/A
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? Win matches.
Name: Matt Severa
Age: 37
Hometown: Madison, WI
Occupation: Software architect
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Grand Prix Detroit Top 8 in 2003. Grand Prix Minneapolis Top 8 in 2016. Grand Prix Nashville 2014 Top 4. Grand Prix Washington D.C. winner.
How did your team come together for this tournament? Longtime friends and teammates.
What were your best cards this weekend? Emrakul, the Promised End and Ishkanah, Grafwidow.
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? Not really.
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? Build decks and win games.
Name: Sam Black
Age: 34
Hometown: Madison, WI
Occupation: Writer for StarCityGames.com.
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Won a car.
How did your team come together for this tournament? We live and test together.
What were your best cards this weekend? Ulvenwald Mysteries; Faithbearer Paladin
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? No.
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? Prepare extensively.
Rubin-Boccio-Bragg
Name: Ben Rubin
Age: 33
Hometown: San Francisco
Occupation: Temporarily retired
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Finals of Pro Tour Los Angeles, Finals of 1998 Worlds, Top 4 of Pro Tour London in 2000, Top 4 of Pro Tour New York in 2000, 7 Grand Prix Top 8s.
How did your team come together for this tournament? They fished me out of retirement for Grand Prix San Jose last year. I've been hooked ever since.
What were your best cards this weekend? Gisa and Geralf/Tireless Tracker.
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? No.
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? Let me play decks I like.
Name: Matthew Boccio
Age: 30
Hometown: New York
Occupation: Temporarily retired
Previous Magic Accomplishments: N/A
How did your team come together for this tournament? Buddies, former co-workers, and we got fifth at the last Team GP we played.
What were your best cards this weekend? Liliana, the Last Hope and Archangel Avacyn.
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? N/A
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? Gave me all the good rares.
Name: Tillman Bragg
Age: 34
Hometown: Curacao
Occupation: Trader
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Top 8 of Grand Prix Daytona
How did your team come together for this tournament? Curacao buddies, got fifth with these guys at Grand Prix San Jose.
What were your best cards this weekend? Collective Defiance
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? Not much of a story.
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? Win matches.
GP Louisville Top 4 Profiles
Rietzl-Wiegersma-Sperling
Name: Paul Rietzl
Age: 31
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Occupation: Recruiter
Previous Magic Accomplishments: First place at Grand Prix San Jose in 2012, and second place at Grand Prix San Jose in 2015 [Rietzl is also in the Hall of Fame].
How did your team come together for this tournament? David Williams couldn't make it. Matt and my shortlist had one name — and he said yes.
What were your best cards this weekend? Collective Effort, Wharf Infiltrator
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? Not really.
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? Matt paid for dinner last night. Jelger never complains or loses.
Name: Matt Sperling
Age: 33
Hometown: San Francisco
Occupation: Lawyer and CEO of Sick of It Enterprises
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Two Pro Tour Top 8s, a team Grand Prix win.
How did your team come together for this tournament? Like butter.
What were your best cards this weekend? Cryptbreaker
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? No.
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? Rank all the other known teams for ChannelFireball.com.
Name: Jelger Wiegersma
Age: 34
Hometown: Willenstad, Curacao
Occupation: Growth Sports Manager
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Member of the Hall of Fame
How did your team come together for this tournament? David Williams couldn't play.
What were your best cards this weekend? Seasons Past and Brazen Wolves
Does your team have a name? Any story to it? No.
What was the most helpful thing your teammates did for you this tournament? Prepare really well for Team Sealed.