Invitational Top 8 Profiles

Gerard Fabiano

Age: 34

Hometown:
Belleville, NJ

Archetype:
Standard - Temur Energy, Modern - Temur Moon

Why did you choose to go with the decks you played with this weekend?
Because Mike Sigrist gave me Modo tickets and I spent the Modo tickets on these decks to practice.

Notable Finishes
5 Open wins, 3 Grand Prix wins, 2nd Invitational Top 8

Michael Hamilton

Age: 23

Hometown:
Brownsburg, IN

Archetype:
Standard - Temur Energy, Modern - Eldrazi Tron

Why did you choose to go with the decks you played with this weekend?
Temur is busted. At least Rogue Refiner is. Eldrazi Tron is well positioned vs. control decks.

Notable Finishes
1 Open win, 1st Invitational Top 8

Benjamin Nikolich

Age: 20

Hometown:
Oakton, VA

Archetype:
Temur Energy, Jeskai Control

Why did you choose to go with the decks you played with this weekend?
Followed the advice of the MTGO boys Jonathan Sukenik and Luke Purcell.

Notable Finishes
4 Open Top 8s, 1st Invitational Top 8

Rio Trevathan

Age: 13

Hometown:
Chapel Hill, NC

Archetype:
Standard - Treasure Red, Modern - Burn

Why did you choose to go with the decks you played with this weekend?
I feel most comfortable with Burn and I think Treasure Red is the best deck.

Notable Finishes
1st Invitational Top 8, SCG Classic Top 8

Austin Collins

Age: 15

Hometown:
Kansas City, MO

Archetype:
Standard - Ramunap Red, Modern - Grixis Death's Shadow

Why did you choose to go with the decks you played with this weekend?
Grixis Death's Shadow is insane

Notable Finishes
1st Invitational Top 8

Dan Jessup

Age: 25

Hometown:
Long Island, NY

Archetype:
Standard - Temur Energy, Modern - Grixis Death's Shadow

Why did you choose to go with the decks you played with this weekend?
Andrew Jessup said to play them.

Notable Finishes
1 Open win, 14 Open Top 8s, 2nd Invitational Top 8

Sam Black

Age: 35

Hometown:
Madison, WI

Archetype:
Standard - Four Color Energy, Modern - Lantern Control

Why did you choose to go with the decks you played with this weekend?
I played the Standard deck I played in the Pro Tour because I haven't played Standard since. I played Lantern Control because Justin Cohen told me it was great.

Notable Finishes
3 Pro Tour Top 8s, 2008 Team Worlds win, 14 Grand Prix Top 8s, 2nd Invitational Top 8

Eli Kassis

Age: 34

Hometown:
Binghamton, NY

Archetype:
Standard - Temur Energy, Modern - U/R Gifts Storm

Why did you choose to go with the decks you played with this weekend?
Best deck across all formats...

Notable Finishes
1 Open Win, 4 Grand Prix Top 8s, 1st Invitational Top 8