Rivals 2010

We like it that the contest means different things for different people. R Wanger's aspiration to win the contest, for example, seems to annually take a backseat to his desire to mercilessly crush his own daughter (K Ripley), son-in-law (P Ripley), and even his one-year-old grandchild (A Ripley)! Without commenting on the psychological health of such goals, this year R Wanger's wish came true as he came in with 244 points, more than 27 points ahead of any of his kinfolk. P Ripley has been heard to lament, "I can't lose to my wife and father-in-law every year, can I???" And we'd like to offer some assurance... but we can't. For the fifth straight year both R Wanger (244) and K Ripley (216) finished significantly ahead of P Ripley (191), with the kicker this year being one-year-old A Ripley (206) also thrashed his old man.

A step up in inter-familial intensity may be seen from Whiteside, who promised to "annihilate" sister-in-law Booth, and delivered, outscoring his relation-by-marriage, 231 to 169. Butscher (230) rashly declared that Whiteside and Booth "have no chance," and he was half right, ending up a mere point behind Whiteside. It's not all felicity for Whiteside, however, as he wasn't even close to co-workers McKillip (266) and Canning (247).

E Leach, the "granddaddy of all the Leaches," has shown that venerability has its compensations, as his 231 points are superior to every other Leach. Second grader Madison Leach (227) stated she is no longer counting on her father, P Leach (217) for tips, and we believe her, as she left her daddy in the dust by ten points. Madison's sister, S Leach also claims she's "smarter than my daddy," but she couldn't back it up with only 186 points. Alien creature Mash Leach (227) fell squarely in the middle of the Leach clan, which we suppose makes sense in a warped sort of way.

In a couple of sibling rivalries, D Kornfeld (219) edged R Kornfeld (217) and Bill Acchione (247) easily handled Bud Acchione (206), while L McAtee (235) smoothly skated by her brother M McAtee (229).

Millan (227) boldly declaimed that Karlsruher (219) was "going down" -- and he was right.

Upstart L Schlegel (241) didn't have enough juice to get past his dad, R Schlegel (258), and commissioner M Josephs (197) probably ought to watch some "Father Knows Best" re-runs himself, as he fell to D Josephs (228) by 31 points. On the other hand, Adams (251) didn't have any trouble dispatching her paternal relative, Coach Doc (229). Mike Paston (232) put the hurt on Matt Maston (185). J Donadio (263) left no doubt who was head of his household, besting both spouse ME Donadio (202), and offspring L Donadio (210). In Kleimanland, it was B Kleiman (215) finishing ahead of both M Kleiman (211), and E Kleiman (208).

M Peloso, who we fear may have to turn in her Duke-loving credentials after refusing to pick the Blue Devils into the Final Four, still managed to sneak by her husband B Peloso, 218 to 215. G Wright (227), in her first time entering the contest, took out her hubby B Wright (215) with points to spare.

Baum somehow managed to lose to himself, 191 to 214.