After many rounds of Swiss and some great games of Magic, the Top 8 for Grand Prix New York is set! Learn more about this event’s Top 8 competitors, their history at the top tables, and more by taking a look through the Top 8 profiles.
Brandon Ayers
Age: 25
Occupation: Banking
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Previous Magic accomplishments:
Playing trios with John Rolf and Pako. Also, a couple of Pro Tours.
What deck did you play and why?
Green-White Tokens. My Roommate Jake audibled decks so all the cards were ready for battle!
What is the most important card in your 75 cards?
Declaration in Stone. Slops to only two Oath of Nissa.
What was the coolest deck you played against, or what was the coolest thing that happened in a game this weekend?
Grixis opponents not casting spells.
Any Mom shout-outs for Mother’s Day?
Thanks for everything Mom!
Louis Samuel-Deltour
Age: 24
Occupation: Student
Hometown: Paris, France
Previous Magic accomplishments:
3 Grand Prix Top 8s, Top 4 French Nationals
What deck did you play and why?
4C Cryptolith. Very good.
What is the most important card in your 75 cards?
Collected Company
What was the coolest deck you played against, or what was the coolest thing that happened in a game this weekend?
I sacrificed an Ormendahl to Westvale Abbey to prevent lifelink and won on the swingback!
Any Mom shout-outs for Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is only a couple weeks from now in France, but I of course love my mom! First person I called after the Top 8 announcement!
Michael Majors
Age: 24
Occupation: Magic
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Previous Magic accomplishments:
1st Grand Prix San Diego
What deck did you play and why?
Green-White Tokens. Gerry [Thompson] showed me a picture of his board.
What is the most important card in your 75 cards?
Archangel Avacyn. A Serra Angel that plays offense, defense, and is a sweeper!
What was the coolest deck you played against, or what was the coolest thing that happened in a game this weekend?
Daniel Musser exiled three creatures permanently with an Eldrazi Displacer and Hallowed Moonlight!
Any Mom shout-outs for Mother’s Day?
I am unbelievably blessed to have Nancy Majors as a mother! I love you!
Mike Sigrist
Age: 33
Occupation: Magic player and writer
Hometown: Foxboro, MA
Previous Magic accomplishments:
2014-2015 Player of the Year, 2 Pro Tour Top 8, 2 Grand Prix wins
What deck did you play and why?
Green-White Tokens. It’s resilient and powerful.
What is the most important card in your 75 cards?
Archangel Avacyn. It’s incredibly hard to play around.
What was the coolest deck you played against, or what was the coolest thing that happened in a game this weekend?
Bant Aristocrats with Pious Evangel
Any Mom shout-outs for Mother’s Day?
She told me she wanted a trophy for Mother’s Day and I don’t want to let Mom down!
Daniel Ward
Age: 31
Occupation: Store Manager/Silver Pro
Hometown: Catskill, NY
Previous Magic accomplishments:
3 Grand Prix Top 8s
Silver
What deck did you play and why?
White-Black Control/Midrange. I wanted to play Avacyn and Languish! (Sweet combo)
What is the most important card in your 75 cards?
Ayli, the Eternal Pilgrim
What was the coolest deck you played against, or what was the coolest thing that happened in a game this weekend?
White-Blue Spirits. Casting my Kalitas went Horribly Awry.
Any Mom shout-outs for Mother’s Day?
Obv! She’s the reason I’m here.
Ralph Betesh
Age: 30
Occupation: WiFi Tech
Hometown: Philadelphia
Previous Magic accomplishments:
Grand Prix Detroit winner. Top 8 Grand Prix Miami.
What deck did you play and why?
Grixis. Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet is unbeatable and Oliver Tui just keeps winning.
What is the most important card in your 75 cards?
Kolaghan’s Command or Goblin Dark-Dwellers.
What was the coolest deck you played against, or what was the coolest thing that happened in a game this weekend?
Nothing too far out of the norm this weekend.
Any Mom shout-outs for Mother’s Day?
Happy Mother’s Day Mom!
Scott Lipp
Age: 31 (32 tomorrow!)
Occupation: Owner of Spanky’s Card Shop
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Previous Magic accomplishments:
2 Grand Prix Top 8s
What deck did you play and why?
4C Cryptolith. Deck is busted. Thanks Tommy Ashton!
What is the most important card in your 75 cards?
Cryptolith Rites
What was the coolest deck you played against, or what was the coolest thing that happened in a game this weekend?
Sam Black’s Black-Green deck. I won both games on mulligans to five.
Any Mom shout-outs for Mother’s Day?
Mom, you’re the best. Love you!
Seth Manfield
Age: 25
Occupation: Dad/Magic Player
Hometown: Laurel, MD
Previous Magic accomplishments:
3 Grand Prix Wins. World Champion. 2 Pro Tour Top 8s.
What deck did you play and why?
White-Black Control because who needs creatures?
What is the most important card in your 75 cards?
Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
What was the coolest deck you played against, or what was the coolest thing that happened in a game this weekend?
I drew running copies of Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet against Jarvis Yu to stabilize at one life!
Any Mom shout-outs for Mother’s Day?
Melanie Manfield and Jenny Cole!