D Magazine Words With Friends Tournament Round 3 Wrap-up: the Winners Speak

Our field of 64 players has been culled down to the Saccharine 16. Eight games tomorrow, but here’s more about today’s action.

Luis Ellis would like to thank his own personal Jesus for a 399-379 victory over legal assistant Tasha Cathey:

One of the most intense WWF games ever played! This game needed overtime, but when it was all said and done it was proven that Jesus must have his tuxedo t-shirt on since Luis pulled out the W. It started rough for Tasha when Luis used all of his letters on the first move. Although a valiant effort was given by Tasha but she could not overcome the early deficit. One thing is clear: This is going to be one epic Tournament!

Sports agent Trennis Jones beat educator Jane Cote, 424 to 359. He says:

Started off with a hay-maker playing “cryogens” for 57 points to start the game. She never recovered from there…

WFAA’s promotions manager Rich Goff played an epic 17.5 hour match against automotive marketing specialist Julie Saathoff. He came out ahead, 436 to 420:

Julie was an incredible opponent..she led most of the game. It wasn’t until I was able to play ‘wifelike’ for a triple-word score 57 to catch up–and we were close for the rest of the game.

Director of student media at UT-Dallas, Cristen Hixson, considers herself fortunate to have won, 394 to 367, over construction project manager Rod Durham:

Wow, what a formidable opponent. I was literally sweating at the end. After a bad move in the beginning and setting him up for two triple words, including “java” for 51 points, it was an uphill battle the whole way for me. What a GREAT game. Thanks, Rod. Looking forward to Round 3.