Mitch Towner is the 2003 JSS Champion! Handling his green-white-red Astral Slide deck like a pro, he cruised through the Top 8 without dropping a single game! After taking apart Grady Hunt's Beasts deck in the quarters, he survived the mirror against Kyle Goodman. In the finals he faced Sam Stein, whose Red-Green Beats deck had served him well. He edged out both Richard Oleksak's Psychatog deck and Peter Matson's blue-green, taking both matches to three games.
The finals were a lopsided affair. Slide seems tailor-made to demolish red-green. Towner, significantly taller than most of his competition, accepted the handshake graciously. Mostly interested in athletics, Towner isn't yet sure how he'll spend his newfound scholarship. Luckily he has plenty of time to decide. Congratulations to Mitch Towner, 2003 JSS Champion!
Top 8 Final Standing

1. Mitch Towner | $20,000 Scholarship | |
2. Sam Stein | $10,000 Scholarship | |
3. Kyle Goodson | $6,000 Scholarship | |
4. Peter Matson | $6,000 Scholarship | |
5. Richard Oleksak | $3,500 Scholarship | |
6. Daniel Bryan | $3,500 Scholarship | |
7. Josh Tabak | $3,500 Scholarship | |
8. Grady Hunt | $3,500 Scholarship |
(Click here for complete final standings)
top 8 bracket
US National Championship Coverage
EVENT COVERAGE
- Decklists: Top 24 Decks
by Sideboard Staff
- Finals: Mitch Towner vs. Sam Stein
by Mary Van Tyne
- Semifinals: Mitch Towner vs. Kyle Goodman
by John Stephens
- Semifinals: Sam Stein vs. Peter Matson
by Mary Van Tyne
- Quarterfinals: Kyle Goodman vs. Josh Tabak
by Mary Van Tyne
- Quarterfinals: Richard Oleksak vs. Sam Stein
by John Stephens
- Feature: Top 8 Profiles
by Sideboard Staff
- Decklists: Top 8 Decks
by Sideboard Staff
- Round 9: Russell Yakupov vs. Thomas Sullivan
by John Stephens
- Round 9: Vincent Shek vs. Sean Buckley
by Mary Van Tyne
- Round 8: Kyle Goodman vs. Brian Tate
by John Stephens
- Round 8: Josh Tabak vs. Jeff Garza
by Mary Van Tyne
- Round 7: Greg Swan vs. Russell Yakupov
by John Stephens
- Round 7: William Chong vs. Sam Stein
by Mary Van Tyne
- Round 6: Daniel Bryan vs. Mitch Towner
by John Stephens
- Round 6: Matt Dooley vs. Alex Lecky
by Mary Van Tyne
- Round 4: Brandon McGill vs. Matt Dooley
by John Stephens
- Round 4: Michael Franklin vs. Bryan Marella
by Mary Van Tyne
- Round 3: Austin Fincher vs. Kevyn Lee
by John Stephens
- Round 3: Melyssa Mansur vs. Robert Looby
by Mary Van Tyne
- Round 2: James Elder vs. Ian Heinig
by John Stephens
- Round 1: Noah Barnett vs. Steven Gutierrez
by John Stephens
- Round 1: Dan Emmons vs. Kelly Smith
by Mary Van Tyne
- Feature: Quick Interviews
by Mary Van Tyne
- Info: Player List
by Sideboard Staff
- Decklists: JSS Open Top 25 Decks
by Sideboard Staff