September 30, 2005

TERRA ALTA, WV — "It's in the hole!!"  Cornhole that is.  Mr. JT Thomas, self proclaimed "King of Corn", backed it up at the first annual Cornhole tournament, completed recently at GVIIII.  After losing early in the tournament to Rookie Pete Minardi, Thomas fought through the losers bracket to gain a spot in the finals verse Eric Melick.  In a thrilling three game match that will go down in history as one of the greatest Cornhole matches of all time, Thomas outlasted Melick to take home the coveted "King of Corn" hat.  Thomas' happiness was only exceded by Mark Kaniecki, who had purchased JT in the calcutta.  Kaniecki took home the purse of $298, while Thomas wore the lucky hat to victory in the Saturday scramble.  Melick, ever the gentleman, refused to use "kitchen duty" as an excuse for his loss in the finals, only muttering "wait till next year" as he walked out of the interview room.