D.O.E. Article on AC Champions
SACRAMENTO, CA - What does winning $25,000 at the 2010 WBPT Atlantic City Championship get you? Sure, a nice chunk of beer money for the next year (maybe less knowing SonomaJoe), but more importantly national pong super stardom.
A day after they coasted out of A.C. with a title that's yet to leave East Coast soil, Mike "Sonoma Joe" Seivert and Timothy "Byron" Findley arrived home to an onslaught of local media attention and even a cameo appearance on the Good Day Sacramento Morning News. In the midst of another L.A. Laker's NBA Championship win, NorCal's answer to national champs appeared on the same radio show with Ron Artest to share stories of their epic victories.
Although Mike and Byron can be seen missing a few shots in the telecast of the Morning New, no one can argue that the duo didn't hit big cups when it mattered most. "We actually started up shooting 7/7 and of course they air the misses", noted Byron. "We even got the anchors to do the flying condor but they cut that out too." These are the only minor disappointments that Drinkin Smokin Straight West Coastin encountered in the last week as they've still been riding the natural high that being a national pong champion has brought them.
Despite non-stop calls to appear on Oprah and offers to be featured in the next Playgirl, Mike and Byron took some time out to catch-up with D.O.E. and give us an inside look at the lives of 2 champions;
You guys just won $25,000 - how come you're not in Disneyland?
Byron Findley: We’re actually planning a trip down south soon. It’ll give us a chance to get together with everyone from SoCal who helped us all the way along in AC. They definitely have a stake in bringing this major back to the West Coast. Special shout outs to Peter, Kerrie, Mark, Daniel, Gary, Lolo and Wan. We couldn’t have done it without you guys… xoxo boosh!!!
SonomaJoe: We still might make that trip but right now we have been super busy with interviews and appearances for local media, it's all been a bit surreal.
How did you guys feel when Deep missed that last rebuttal shot and the dream of winning the 2010 AC Championships became a reality?
BF: In my head that shot was going in no matter what. I was looking away from the table just getting ready to re-rack the cups and bang the front cup out again and let Mike keep crushing the two rack. When I heard the hard bounce and saw the ball rolling on the floor, it was unreal. Everyone from the West was "FLYING"(Hi Kirby) California Condor Style and the next thing I knew I was under a huge dog pile smiling and laughing uncontrollably nearly in tears…an indescribable feeling.
SJ: I stood there for a second wondering if it had really happen, all of a sudden I got mobbed by our norcal boys and friends and it finally hit me that we had really done it.
You guys have both played in previous national tournaments with different partners. When did you guys decide that you would team up and play in AC together?
SJ: I think it was about 3 or 4 months ago. We were talking about it for a while, played a satellite event together and just clicked well in it. From there on we just knew.
BF: We were actually rivals for a while and we both enjoyed that a lot. I think it actually helped to create the foundation for us to play together. Normally I’d have played with Daniel, but conflicts with a trip to Europe presented a unique opportunity to play with one of the up and comers who was already capable of beating everybody. He was improving at such a rapid rate that it was mind blowing. At my birthday party back in February we decided on Atlantic City. Mike was getting ready to move to Sac so we talked about the possibility of being roommates. We had won a few satellites together before, but never really explored the potential any further. The more we played together, the more chemistry we began to create and it all culminated in AC. It’s nice to have unlimited cash games behind the next wall and it’s hard for either of us to find a tougher matchup. We push each other every time we play whether it’s for chores, bills or just cash there’s always something on the line. Even Air Mattress Surfing in the pool while it’s raining at 4 in the morning…typical for the Apartment 4. (and yes I do win…sometimes)
There were a few moments in the tournament where you guys had to rebuttal to stay in the game. What do you think was your toughest match-up(s)? Were there any games in the tournament that you saw as a turning point and helped you take your games to the next level?
BF: The talent at these national tournaments is incredible, none of the matches were easy regardless of how many games were played in each of them. Obviously, the further we went the tougher it got. I think a huge lift for us was when we beat Vince and Dane in the round of 64. Our subpar performance on day 1 landed us in the 46 seed so we knew we’d have a tough route, but we talked the night before and said that no one would want to play us regardless of our seed and we believed we could beat anyone. I hit a 5 cup rebuttal against Pro Status after Mike missed and I could see then he knew he could win with me and really believed it was ours from there. From there, we kept picking one another up every time the other needed it. The only losses we had came against Mcallister and Clockwork. Mike hit a HUGE 4 cupper against Ryan and Jordan that sank Maryland’s hearts and I was able to keep us alive against Clockwork with a one cupper that could’ve been the end of our tourney. I can’t say enough about Jordan and Kyle…UNREAL shooters. Ryan and Kenny can shoot it as well and they both played great. Every team got us ready for the next one and by the time we got to Ron and Deep we felt it was our time even though we knew most people were looking for Ron to win a 4th Major in as many tries, this time sans Pop. That would’ve been an awesome story, but we wanted one for Cali and the West Coast. The Finals was an unnerving experience, especially at the beginning. Everyone knows what a presence Ron is at the table and him and Deep were both as hungry for a win as anyone. They refused to go down and made clutch shot after clutch shot, we just tried to wear them down and make them keep hitting rebuttals, cause in this sport, everyone eventually misses.
SJ: The first was byron's 5 cup rebuttal against dane and vince, we were up 1-0 and if he misses there it goes 1-1 and gives them the momentum and puts them right back in the series. getting through kyle's team was also a huge hurdle that kid is sick and we had already played a 19 overtime game in the singles semi finals a couple nights before that so I knew he would not go down quietly. Then of course that McAllister matchup was big they are a great team and they play well together. Me and Jordan had a run in with each other the day before during some sit n go's that was not settling well with me so I really wanted that game. We did squash everything though and are fine.
How did you guys prepare for the level of competition that you were going to face in AC?
SJ: I would say are biggest competition was ourselves. We played a lot of games against each other in the apartment and we had some sick battles. We also play a tourney every thursday night at Bisla's that has some very tough competition.
BF: We played lots of one on one whenever we could. Sacramento also has a lot of talent that is capable of shooting a great game at any point. They really do keep us sharp and help us improve. We have a tourney out here every night and try to get as much play in as possible. We play with some great people who are great shooters. You all know Tiny and Hersh is not too far away either. Casey and Ryan (Rex Kwon Do) are up and coming and Bo, Barrett, Mooney, Ant, AJ, Eric, Trevor and even my girlfriend Sam are all pretty damn good shooters…look for the Sacramento and San Jose Squads to make some noise in the Best of the West . We also went to Southern Cali and took down their Cinco De Mayo WS Satellite plus a 5k event in Reno. We’re on one hell of a streak right now and we want to keep it going for a while.
Alot of players formed "dream teams" in the months following WSOBP V. There was a bunch of teams that looked terrific on paper but just didn't pan out come tournament time. What do you guys think of all these teams forming and how important is team chemistry?
BF: We felt that on paper we were as good as any of the other teams formed although the rest of the country probably didn’t see it that way. We were both barely top 25 individually but number 7 projected as a team. Where we felt we had the advantage was with the chemistry. We knew we were playing together more than any of the other top teams, (aside from Mcallister perhaps, their chemistry is right on par with ours) and if we could just play our game like we have been the last few months there was nothing that could stop us. It sounds silly since we weren’t as hyped as some others but we fully expected to leave with that title as did the entire group we traveled with. It was more of a well executed plan than a lucky run.
SJ: I saw some of these teams forming up and knew there would be some amazing competition, probably some of the toughest teams you will ever see in a major tourney. Not many people give byron the credit he deserves and many don't realize the talent he has. On paper I believed that we were as good as any team out there, we said over and over that this was our tourney to win and we believed it. With these types of tourney's you can't be cocky but you need to have a swagger and confidence in yourself to make it though these incredible fields. Chemistry is a very important factor in this game and I think it was a huge factor for us. We played close to 50 tourneys together in the last 4 or 5 months leading up to the AC championship and I don't think there is any other team in the country that could say that.... well maybe mcallister
Some pictures surfaced of you guys cuddling with each other at the airport on the way home to NorCal - did you guys cuddle in the months approaching the 2010 AC Championship? Is it true that the team that snuggles together wins together?
SJ: There was no cuddling at the apartment but we are pretty close friends and this has brought us closer. We were partying till up 9 in the morning after the win and I was running on fumes. I was too tired to care what was going on around me.
BF: I was trying to get that picture snapped without him waking up then he’d see it posted somewhere and laugh a little but he wasn’t hibernating as deeply as his snoring led me to believe. We get along famously though, and although the cuddling is a rarity (Sam gets jealous pretty easily..jk babe I love you) the hugging and high fiving is at an all time high around here…we’re having a blast.
You guys were playing against Clockwork at the time, but what's your reaction looking back at how Welcome to the Jungle was able to defeat No Introduction Necessary given all of the emotions and pressure that were on the line?
SJ: That was an epic battle and I found myself watching that game at times during our own game. I think ron and deep wanted that game more than anything and they were not going home without a victory, the ultimate revenge factor you could say.
BF: Honestly, it was my opinion that if anyone was going to take them down it would have to be Ron and Deep…it just wouldn’t seem right any other way. There was so much more on the line in that game than a shot at the AC Title. We actually delayed the start of our match cause everyone next to our table on the rail, as well as the four of us at the table, wanted to watch. They actually asked us to move even though we were in the tourney still. It was captivating and extremely intense, I can’t wait to see it all on video.
Besides the big victory, what were some of your other favorite moments from the 2010 AC Championship?
SJ: Seeing all the new faces in the beer pong community is always fun. Also getting to reconnect with a lot of people I met and became friends with at the World Series. This beer pong community we have is like no other and I know I will have many of these friends I have met from this great sport for years to come.
BF: It was my first time on the East Coast, I have to say I’m not sure what all the hype is about….jk. It was an awesome trip! It’s great to see everyone that we only see once or twice a year. I hung out with my old San Diego buds CTFK. They introduced me to the competitive side of the sport and I have them to thank for giving me something to aspire to as far as beer pong goes. Love ya Mike and Jeremy!!! Also hanging out with Reap every night and the adventures we had. That boy is nasty and is one of the chillest people I know. The night before day 2 Mike and I stayed up till nearly 7 waiting for Room Service talking with Hersh. It was a factor for the next day I believe. Then of course the night after our win is something I’ll never forget. As soon as we got downstairs Mike and I placed 100 each on 1st Twelve for our 1st Major and it hit so we took the 400 won and took our friends out for beers, buggy rides on the boardwalk and pizza. Then into the early morning running around with Pop, Sanchize, Boe, and Gizmo looking for a liquor store to buy ICE so we could wait for people coming out of the elevator on their way home, sad that you can’t buy alcohol till 9am, lots of you guys got lucky, I’m gonna get you Shane, it just had to be apple huh…such an amazing time tho.
Early rumors are that you guys are breaking up to play with Pop and Kessler. Is there any truth to this? Who's playing with who?
SJ: Drinkin Smokin Straight West Coastin will be back in vegas in search of another title!!
BF: There will be no such drama starting out here on the West Coast. Mike and I are still hungry…I want to get back to a final table and get off to a better start so we’re taking a week to enjoy this and we’re getting right back into it. As for who Pop and Kessler will play with, well I’ll read about it just like the rest of you…or maybe I won’t…
California hasn't seen a major tournament win since Doin' Hella Much took down the SCBP Open for $10K last year. Before that it was Chauffering the Fat Kid winning in epic fashion over IWC at WSOBP III. Not only did you guys win one for Cali, but you also helped NorCal solidify themselves as a breeding ground for top talent. How important was it to take one down for NorCal? What is the pong scene like in Northern Cali?
BF: It really means everything to me. As an owner of NorCalBeerPong it was awesome to be part of the team that brought it back to the west coast. We’ve craved a title for a while now and it was that much sweeter to win it on the East Coast. It felt like it was 320 vs 20 in the Finals. Wouldn’t have had it any other way. As for the scene in Northern Cali there’s lots of talent out here and they ALL want to get better. We run weekly tournaments at Bislas Sports Bar and Rock Lounge in Sacramento and get at least 40 teams every week and there’s 10-15 teams who can make a run at the win every week. If we didn’t have the rest of the crew to practice against I don’t know that we’d be where we are, this belongs to everyone out here on the West Coast and hopefully we can keep it rolling through the WS6 cause we’ve got some catching up to do the last time I counted.
SJ: This was huge for Cali we have continued the debate for years about who is superior the East coast or the West coast and the debate will continue for years to come, but it feels great to come out there and bring one home for both cali and norcal. The competition in norcal is pretty unreal a ton of untapped talent out here, and you will see some big names come out of the wood work at this year's world series.
Lester "Facetime" Marks from Michigan was quoted as saying his favorite part of the tournment was when you guys ripped your shirts off to distract opponents in rebuttal. Would you say your defense was just as important as your offense in this tournament?
SJ: It definitely did not hurt, I know I don't have the physique of a swimmer so I figured it might make it a bit difficult to shoot against. I have always believed that defense is important in this game because the players are so good these days that you need to do something to through them out of rhythm. I think the toughest thing for players is getting all worked up with distractions and being able to calm themselves down to make big shots I think I do this well.
BF: I try to stay level headed in the games and carry the same demeanor if possible. Im Bipolar and when I let my emotions get the best of me its nearly impossible to settle back down in timely fashion (see immediately after we beat Dane and Vince when I freaked out on Dane following the tongue lashings he’d been dishing out to me.) Everyone always asks me why I don’t smile and always have the same face, well it’s because when I hit a mood swing and it can be a long time before I’m back to a calm concentrated state and I don’t want to lose a game in the mean time. Mike is blessed with an ability to be an animal at the table while maintaining his composure and his love for the rebuttal shot is amazing. I know 80% of the time I’m not even going to have to shoot (AC Rules)…I’ve seen him rebuttal more cups than I care to remember in long, long matches here at the apt. When he does miss it seems easy for me to hit a few cause the kid makes it look effortless and I want to back my partner up as much as possible. In my opinion he’s the best out there right now…I think if they’d played out the rest of the singles Mike woulda eventually worn down Kyle and then beaten Kessler…no offense to either, Mike just refuses to go down…I suppose I’m slightly biased though. Plus no one out there, except for myself perhaps, can shoot while the kid is stripping down…I won’t get into the distractions that go down here, I know the whole pong community possesses creative imaginations, but yes it’s disgusting…if the rules on nudity were different at these things, we’d never lose another tournament.
If you had to give advice to newer players, what would you say is the most important part in trying to make a deep run in a large-scale tournament?
SJ: I would say experience is a huge key. Play as many tourney's as you can and play against great competition. In a tournament such as this you can't look ahead you have one job to do and that is hit that next cup, you can't focus on anything but that. Also you need to have confidence in yourself, I came into this tournament telling myself I was the best shooter in the world and that I needed to shoot like that to win this tourney. I may not be the best shooter in the world but that's the mentality I go into each game with and it gives me the confidence to compete at the highest level possible.
BF: Don’t get nervous before your first finals otherwise the community will never let you forget it. It’s a nonissue at this point though…I’m happy to be on the winning team and part of beer pong history. As for making the deep run…take it a cup at a time…we can’t win it all on any one shot, but it can all be lost just that quickly.
In AC you guys were definitely drinkin' and smokin' some cups - then you straight West Coasted home with the title. What's next for you guys? Are you looking forward to WSOBP VI?
BF: We’re going to enjoy this for a while and then get right back to work. We want to stay at the top…and win again while everyone is gunning for us. We’re ready for the challenge and feel we’re up for it. I’m sure we’ll find some frivolous things to purchase for the apt and go on a few trips together…can’t wait for Disneyland…hope he’s not too large for the rides. Pictures will be up soon.
SJ: As many people know I am part owner in All American Beer Pong so we have our large event we are running with pong League September 3-6 in Vegas and our tour to follow that. Go to Pongleague.net if you have any questions or need details on that event. I have a lot of work to do with that as well as continue to keep my game sharp playing in as many big tourney as I can, and come into the world series peaking. I know people will be gunning for us in Vegas and I would not have it any other way.
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