Mark Herberholz
Age: 24
Hometown: Redford, MI
Occupation: Gamer
Number of Times Playing in US Nationals: 3
How did you Qualify for Nationals: Pro Level
Number of GP/PT Top8s: 4 PT, 3 GP
Other previous Magic Accomplishments: Won PT Honolulu
Records by format: Standard 7-0, Booster Draft 4-3
What Standard deck are you playing and why?
Quick ‘n Toast. I wanted to play a control deck, and nothing really stood out as broken in this format.
What Standard deck are you playing and why?
Stay monocolor for as long as possible.
How did you prepare for US Nationals? Who did you prepare with?
Stayed in the "House of Cards" with Pat Chapin, Dan Burdich, and Lan D. Ho one week before to test.
Shaheen Soorani
Age: 25
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Occupation: Public School Teacher
Number of Times Playing in US Nationals: 5
How did you Qualify for Nationals: Pro Level
Number of GP/PT Top8s: 0
Other previous Magic Accomplishments: 9th at Worlds ‘06, attended 8 PTs, and, according to Flores, "Top Flight Deck Designer"
Records by format: Standard 4-1-2, Booster Draft 6-1
What Standard deck are you playing and why?
Homebrew UGR control. I took the best blue cards and built a deck like usual, hoping control with some more men can beat the agro menace.
What was your drafting strategy?
Never drafted the format before Nats.
How did you prepare for US Nationals? Who did you prepare with?
No testing done and the usual think tank creation.
Sam Black
Age: 26
Hometown: Madison, WI
Number of Times Playing in US Nationals: 2
How did you Qualify for Nationals: Regionals and rating
Number of GP/PT Top8s: 0
Other previous Magic Accomplishments: Won a car at Worlds (took money instead)
Records by format: Standard 6-1, Booster Draft 5-2
What Standard deck are you playing and why?
Elves. Adrian Sullivan and Zac Hill told me they were confident in this build and I wasn't confident that I had the best build of any deck.
What was your drafting strategy?
I looked for monored, but I was willing to give up. I played one blue deck splashing red and black for removal and a four-color green deck with three Farhaven Elves.
How did you prepare for US Nationals? Who did you prepare with?
I drafted constantly with people in Madison and I played some Standard online.
Michael Jacob
Age: 24
Hometown: Farmington Hills, MI
Occupation: Card Player
Number of Times Playing in US Nationals: 3
How did you Qualify for Nationals: 2007 National team member
Number of GP/PT Top8s: 1 GP Top 8
Other previous Magic Accomplishments: 2007 National team member
Records by format: Standard 4-1-2, Booster Draft 6-1
What Standard deck are you playing and why?
Monored. It has the hardest to kill creatures (Ashenmoor Gouger and Demigod of Revenge) and terrific removal.
What was your drafting strategy?
Take good cards, that's it.
How did you prepare for US Nationals? Who did you prepare with?
Playtested at RIW Hobbies in Livonia, Michigan. Some members are Josh Wludyka, Pat Chapin, Mark Herberholz.
David Sharfman
Age: 18
Hometown: O-Town, Florida
Occupation: Student
Number of Times Playing in US Nationals: 4
How did you Qualify for Nationals: Regionals
Number of GP/PT Top8s: 0
Other previous Magic Accomplishments: 9th place at US Nationals 2006, Top 8 at Florida Regionals 2008
Records by format: Standard 4-2-1, Booster Draft 7-0
What Standard deck are you playing and why?
5-color Lark. It's good against all non-Faeries and Cryptic Command makes it closer.
What was your drafting strategy?
Stay open.
Paul Cheon
Age: 23
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Occupation: Level 8 Mage
Number of Times Playing in US Nationals: 3
How did you Qualify for Nationals: Pro Points, rating
Number of GP/PT Top8s: 5 GP Top 8's, 0 PT
Other previous Magic Accomplishments: 2006 US National Champion
Records by format: Standard 4-1-2, Booster Draft 6-1
What Standard deck are you playing and why?
Faeries, because it has Ancestral Vision and Cryptic Command. Bitterblossom is a pretty sweet card, too. I like sweet cards.
What was your drafting strategy?
Monowhite agro or control with tokens. If not, monored beats.
How did you prepare for US Nationals? Who did you prepare with?
I went to Davis a week before Nats and tested with LSV. I told him it would be my turn to win, as we gotta switch it up. Happy birthday, Mom!
Marsh Usary
Age: 30
Hometown: Newport, Tennessee
Occupation: Starcitygames.com sales/associate
Number of Times Playing in US Nationals: first one
How did you Qualify for Nationals: won Regionals
Number of GP/PT Top8s: 0
Other previous Magic Accomplishments: Top 8's on PTQs and won Regionals. Star City Games $1k Top 8.
Records by format: Standard 5-0-2, Booster Draft 5-2
What Standard deck are you playing and why?
Red Deck Wins. I wanted to play a streamlined, consistent deck.
What was your drafting strategy?
Heavy aggro.
How did you prepare for US Nationals? Who did you prepare with?
Magic Online. Listened to Bruce "The Boss." "Team Shark Insurance"
Carl Dillahay
Age: 26
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Occupation: Future Magic Pro player
Number of Times Playing in US Nationals: 1
How did you Qualify for Nationals: Standard Grinder
Number of GP/PT Top8s: 0
Other previous Magic Accomplishments: Played in PT New Orleans in 2003
Records by format: Standard 5-2, Booster Draft 6-1
What Standard deck are you playing and why?
Red/green agro. It's better than monored and beats Faeries. Same deck I grinded with.
What was your drafting strategy?
Usually monocolor, staying flexible. Red or white is strongest.
How did you prepare for US Nationals? Who did you prepare with?
I play competitive Magic every day in Syracuse. Also, Ben Lundquist, Dave Feinstein, James Sanguinetti, Alex Artese, Adam Barnello, and the always inspirational Keith Palmer.