Rawlings 2006 UFC Preview

Rawlings UFC Game Matchup Analysis

Here’s a brief overview to the first round (and play in games for this year’s Rawlings UFC). As a reminder, the top three interns were included into the field, while six others have to battle for the right to be included.

Play In Games:

Nick “Broomstick with Teeth” Eckelkamp vs Julie Tindle: Monday 7/17

	Nick	Julie
Preparation		X
Heart	X
Hustle		X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength		X
Reach	X

In what may be one of the best play-in matchups in years, Eckelkamp and Tindle will square off, with the winner getting the chance to go head to head with Allison “Big Al” Steinman. Eckelkamp dominates in reach, with his freakish 10 foot wingspan set to keep Tindle away from his paltry mid-section. Tindle is hoping her wiliness will be the difference.

Andy’s Pick: Tindle, setting up a classic showdown with Big Al Steinman in the opening round.

Brian Correnti vs Brian Cronin: Tuesday 7/18

	Correnti	Cronin
Preparation		X
Heart	X
Hustle		X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness	X
Strength	even
Reach	X

It’s the battle of the Brians. The big question is if either of them has what it takes to even make Bensing sweat in the opener.

Tim “Poppa Burgandy” Bolhafner vs Jason Russell: Wednesday 7/19

	Tim	Jason
Preparation		X
Heart	X
Hustle		X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness	X
Strength		X
Reach		X

This matchup comes down to preparation. While Bolhafner was busy losing his 35^th consecutive game of solitaire (during work hours, of course), Russell was out shagging DT’s balls. The question is which combatant will be more prepared.

Andy’s pick: Bolhafner. UFC is an individual sport, much like solitaire. Practice makes perfect.

Stare at Numbers Regional

(8) Wendy Mathis vs. (9) Brian Scheele: Thursday 7/20

	Mathis	Scheele
Preparation	X
Heart	X
Hustle		X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness	X
Strength		X
Reach		X

Mathis has had her share of preparation, getting daily training advice from Rawlings guru Bob Tomackeigyrifssksky. Scheele has been relaxing in the peace and quiet of the second floor. He does play a mean kickball game though.

Andy’s pick: Mathis. She’ll quickly go after Scheele’s legs, rendering him harmless. That’s when she’ll go in for the power kill.

(5) Chance Hollingsworth vs (12) Dave Bommarito: Friday 7/21

	Hollingsworth	Bommarito
Preparation		X
Heart	X
Hustle		X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength	X
Reach	X (maybe)

How in the world could Chance get an edge in reach? This is crazy. Bommarito moved from intern to full time employee to darkhorse in the Rawlings UFC. He brings a frenetic pace and a bunch of wiliness to the table. Meanwhile, Chance brings a calm approach that says “I’ve been here before.”

Andy’s pick: Every year in the NCAA Basketball tourney, at least one #12 beats a #5 seed. But it won’t happen here. Hollingsworth wins.

(6) Matt “Number Puncher” Howell vs (11) Ben “Black Beauty” Schoen: Monday 7/24

	Howell	Schoen
Preparation		X
Heart	X
Hustle	X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness	X
Strength		X
Reach		X

This is an interesting matchup between two of the most intense number crunchers in the building. Schoen has a spreadsheet set up precisely calculating each of Howell’s weak points, which are tabbed and cross tabbed to indicate the best possible approach. Howell has spent a great deal of time on the first floor this summer – no doubt scouting out his future opponent. This will also mark the first time Howell has set up in a Rawlings competition without the support of Lee Lummus.

Andy’s pick: Howell. This will be an even fight, but Howell will patrol the halls asking for votes.

(7) Lee Lummus vs (10) Bob “Capone” Tomaszewski: Tuesday 7/25

	Lummus	Tomaszewski
Preparation		X
Heart		X
Hustle		X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness	X
Strength		X
Reach		X

Lummus has the fastest texting finger in this year’s tourney (although Speicher could give him a run for the money). Tomaszewski brings a Chicago/Polish hard-nosed toughness to the battle, and a willingness to bet on anything.

Andy’s pick: Got to go with the Polish guy with the long arms in a battle. Plus I think the edge in stamina is enough to sway this battle his way.

Looking Pretty Regional

(8) Pam “Pan” Klostermann vs (9) Bill Garbe: Wednesday 7/26

	Klostermann	Garbe
Preparation		X
Heart	Even
Hustle	X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength	X
Reach		X

This one is likely to be a slugfest. Klostermann brings the tenacity while Garbe brings a north-county unpredictability that has been known to swarm many past victims.

Andy’s Pick: Garbe has spent hours watching hockey and drinking beer in preparation for this, but will Pam be able to thwart his advance? The pick here is Garbe in a close one.

(5) Seth “Purple Nurple” Elrod vs (12) Jeff “Worth Unicorn” Rich: Thursday 7/27

	Elrod	Rich
Preparation	X
Heart	X
Hustle	X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength		X
Reach	even

Rumor has it that Elrod and Robert have been running several days a week in preparation for this one. Seth has also created a color-coded, laminated cheat sheet of secret battle moves and is likely to hit Rich early and often.

But this won’t be as easy a matchup as the seeding indicates. Rich has trained with such battle-tested warriors as Rick Hasty and Aunt Jemima (who have eerily similar traits, but that’s another story).

Andy’s Pick: Elrod will rally his interns to make sure he lasts to the next round.

(6) Brian Dorsey vs (11) Lindsey Naber: Friday 7/28

	Dorsey	Naber
Preparation		X
Heart	Even
Hustle		X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength	X
Reach	X

This is one of the most intriguing matchups of the first round. Dorsey brings a hard-nosed approach, but adds in an unwillingness to get dirty and slide if he needs to. This is a shame, as slide tackles have proven to be among the most effective takedown moves in all early round battles.

Naber was unable to stop Steve Garvey from getting in for a few pecks to the face in a meeting this spring, and she’ll need to keep Dorsey from moving in close enough to get a shot at her. She does have the ability to outmaneuver her opponents with her quickness and wiliness.

Andy’s pick: Dorsey has the reach, which will be the deciding factor here.

(7) Allison “Big Al” Steinman vs (10) Nick “Broomstick with Teeth” Eckelkamp or Julie Tindle: Monday 7/31

	Steinman	Tindle/Eckelkamp
Preparation	X
Heart	X
Hustle	X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength		X
Reach		X

Big Al will be rested and waiting. She will likely find a wounded Tindle or Eckelkamp limping into a matchup in which they will need every ounce of energy to keep in the match.

Andy’s pick: Steinman in a rout.

Product Kings Regional

(8) Matt “SENB” Bensing vs (9) Brian Correnti or Brian Cronin: Tuesday 8/1

	Bensing	Correnti/Cronin
Preparation	X
Heart	X
Hustle	X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength	X
Reach	X

This is a tough spot for an intern. Bensing, likely due to his Hilton background, comes in a relative unknown to many in the group. He’s been battle tested through Hilton and Rawlings and is anxiously awaiting one of the Brians to come in.

Andy’s pick: It is tough to play two matchups so quickly, and Bensing will send one or both of the Brians back to school. Bensing handles Petco, and trust me, the Brians are no Petco.

(5) Derek Speicher vs (12) Ron Hilson: Wednesday 8/2

	Speicher	Hilson
Preparation		X
Heart	X
Hustle	X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength	X
Reach		X

Hilson might just be the 12 seed to come right in and spank an unsuspecting 5 seed. Derek might be the only 5 seed who would like it. Ron will be prepared, after spending several years under the tutelage of Bensing and carefully practicing his Rex Kwon Do.

Meanwhile, Speicher will make sure he looks his best, and text messages everyone to remind them of his matchup. He will hope to become the first Mizzou team to win a first round matchup since 1985.

Andy’s pick: Mark it down: The big upset. Hilson in a nailbiter.

(6) Scott Keene vs (11) Dan Cullinane: Thursday 8/3

	Keene	Cullinane
Preparation		X
Heart/Ribs	XX
Hustle		X
Tenacity		X
Wiliness		X
Strength	X
Reach	X

Cullinane might have an edge. He is the Rawlings expert on protective gear, and we all know he’ll need it. After breaking a rib while relaxing on the couch, watching TV, Dan will try to keep his distance and calculate (to the decimal point) his exact method to succeed. He is very fortunate his wife is not in the field, and will have to keep himself from getting into a snuggling position with Keene – thus exposing his ribs for a beating.

Keene, meanwhile will show us he’s not afraid to take down that mid-section. The big concern here, of course, is that Keene will request to speak before the match, which could force us to push this matchup back a day or two.

Andy’s pick: Keene. He’ll have plenty of mayonnaise sandwiches in his belly, and use his reach to oust Dan.

(7) David “Tasty Cakes” Zumbach vs (10) Tim “Poppa Burgundy” Bolhafner or Jason Russell: Friday 8/4

	Zumbach	Bolhafner/Russell
Preparation	X
Heart	X
Hustle	X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength		X
Reach	X

The question is, how much of a fight will the intern winner put up. Would letting the big boss win allow you to look better and hopefully make a name for yourself? Or would it make you come across as a weakling, unwilling to fight for your honor?

The bet here is that it doesn’t matter. Since being taken out by a flying Mountain Dew can, Zoomy has begun gorging on protein – taking in 200 grams of protein each day by secretly hiding energy bars in all areas of his office.

Andy’s pick: Zumbach: His 200 miles/week bike training regimen will lead to some serious leg-whip action which will render his intern prey helpless.

Live Action Regional

(8) Kate Ranzini vs (9) Barb Foerstel: Monday 8/7

	Ranzini	Foerstel
Preparation	Even
Heart	Even
Hustle	Even
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength	Even
Reach	Even

This is the toughest matchup in the tourney. Wow. You have two battle-tested warriors who are willing to face anyone, any time, any place. Ranzini has installed a wireless headset to her phone so that she can occasionally do calisthenics while talking on the phone. Meanwhile, Foerstel quietly spars with the best of them.

The guess here is that the winner will give a serious bit of heart burn to the region’s #1 seed, Dennis Turner.

Andy’s pick: Ranzini, by getting in early and getting the first vote tiebreaker.

(5) Mark “Cosmopolitan” Kraemer vs (12) Jim “Quiet Assassin” O’Connor: Tuesday 8/8

	Kraemer	O’Connor
Preparation		X
Heart		X
Hustle	X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength	X
Reach	X

In an intriguing matchup, the veteran O’Connor, nicknamed the Quiet Assassin by his cube neighbors (if that tells you anything about him – he’s either really tough or he farts a lot) meets the upstart youngster Kraemer.

Kraemer brings the youthful energy and swagger it takes to go deep in a matchup like this, but he might have to go if his phone should ring.

Andy’s pick: This is another great 5 vs 12 matchup, but the pick here is the top seeded Kraemer.

(6) Denny “Big Sexy” Whiteside vs (11) Biju Mathew: Wednesday 8/9

	Whiteside	Biju
Preparation		X
Heart	Even
Hustle	X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness	X
Strength	Even
Reach	Even

It’s a tough run for young Biju. After training in the remote woods of Minnesota, he moves into a new town and has to run into the man known as Big Sexy. While in the St Louis office, Biju has reportedly been designing an algorithm precisely monitoring the energy patterns of Whiteside. The problem is that those patterns keep going. Whiteside meanwhile can ride in with his Harley and chaps and introduce his opposition to the new R&D mentality.

Andy’s pick: Whiteside. He’ll wrap himself up in Christmas lights again and scare the will out of the unsuspecting Biju. Then he will pounce.

(7) Art “Clubber Wang” Chou vs (10) Liz Liverar: Thursday 8/10

	Chou	Liverar
Preparation		X
Heart	Even
Hustle		X
Tenacity	X
Wiliness		X
Strength		X
Reach	X

In a battle of quiet ninjas, Liverar seems ready to take out Chou. This is poised to be a tight matchup, and one that could last into the late hours of the night. That plays exactly into the hands of Liverar, who has won many a battle of wills in just the same manner. Give her the edge in strength as well, although rumor has it Art is constructing a hitting robot to do his dirty work for him. It likely won’t be finished before 8/10.

Andy’s pick: Due to it lasting late into the night, the pick here is Liverar. Chou will be too tired without a coffee in hand and powerless without his hitting robot.