Repeat for Rebel Survivors!
Lockport, NY brothers win their second consecutive World Championship title
Eric Klavoon & Dan Klavoon
Teams traveled from near and far to compete in the 2010 KanJam World Championship on Saturday, August 14th. In the largest tournament to date, exactly 117 teams vied for the chance to become World Champions of KanJam. This included teams from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Virginia, Michigan, and even Canada.
In the end, Rebel Survivors, composed of Eric & Dan Klavoon from Lockport, NY, took home the crown for the second year in a row. They defeated Michigan newcomers, The Schlotzskys (Scott Johnson & Trevor Cole) four games to one in the finals. In doing so, Rebel Survivors become the fifth pairing to win back-to-back titles. This marks Dan's second title and Eric's record-tying fifth title with Kevin Shaffer & Scott Punter (Rochester Killer Bees).
The 2010 World Championship mirrored the same exact format as the previous year. All 117 teams were randomly assigned to one of four divisions for the "Regular Season Scramble." The top two overall teams from the regular season both came from the National KanJam Conference, which was made up of the Deuce Division (Yellow) and the Hammer Division (Green). Rebel Survivors (2009 World Champions) and Team Domination (Mark Lopian & Bryan Irish-Jones, 2008 World Champions) finished the regular season at 27-2 in their respective divisions, earning the number one seed. The top teams from the American KanJam Conference (Dinger-Red & Bucket-Blue) were Slotter House (Sean Curry & Nick Engl) and The Schlotzskys. Here is a breakdown of the number one seeds from each division:
Rebel Survivors (National KanJam Conference - Deuce Division): 27-2
Team Domination (National KanJam Conference - Hammer Division): 27-2
Slotter House (American KanJam Conference - Dinger Division): 26-3
The Schlotzskys (American KanJam Conference - Bucket Division): 26-4
Click here for full list of Regular Season standings: American KanJam Conference and National KanJam Conference
With the conclusion of the regular season, 12 teams from each division qualified for the playoffs (48 teams total). The top four teams from each division received a "bye" for the first round of the playoffs. The remaining eight teams competed in the "Wild Card" round (best of 3) to reduce the field to 32 teams. The four winning teams would then compete against the four bye teams in the next round.
To keep with the traditional format that has always been used, teams would maintain their seed throughout the playoffs. In the Divisional Quarter-Finals (best of 5), all the top seeds advanced from the Dinger Division. In the Bucket Division, the #6 seed, Slackers (Jim Daugherty & Kim Daugherty) upset the #3 seed, Salty Nutz (Frank Owczarczak & Joe Collier) three games to one. The Italian Stallions (Brian Ellis & Jon Sandino), #5 seed, defeated The Sexy Ewoks! (#4 seed), a team composed of Josh Tonn and former 3-time World Champion, Steve Wojcik (Sole Survivors). Both #5 seeds upset their counterparts in the National KanJam Conference. In the Deuce Division, Pic & Bic (Tim Bicknell & Mike Gerken) topped Jakapalooza (Thomas Jakubaszek & Eric Profrock) in a close series, three games to two. Why So Serious?? (AJ Siergiej & Brittany Nagowski) edged Pounding Kan Hidden Funnel (Jim Buettner & David LeRoy) three games to one to advance in the Hammer Division.
With just four teams remaining from each division, this set up the Divisional Semi-Finals (best of 5). Team Domination toppled Why So Serious?? in three games and PhiLeep (Phil Schneider & LeeAnn Greenauer) defeated the #2 seed, Little Lebowski Urban Achievers (Mark Stein & Jackson Trinh) three games to one. In the Deuce Division, Rebel Survivors swept their second straight series, beating Pic & Bic three games to none. Hookers and Slicers (Chris Doak & Jeff Johnson) took down Team Wombat (Josh Hollenbeck & Joshua Lavigne) in five games. Over in the other conference, Dorkus Malorkus (Bob Greenauer & Josh Greenauer), the #4 seed, knocked out the #1 seed, Slotter House. Kardiac Kids (Joe Schillero & Dan Schillero) advanced by sweeping their series against When did I eat corn? (Ryan Siergiej & Matt Zucarelli). The Schlotzskys and More Like "Kan't Jam" (Jayce Grefrath & TJ Burns) both defeated their counterparts (Slackers & The Italian Stallions) to move to the final 8.
To determine the divisional winners, the remaining two teams from each division squared off in the best of 7 Divisional Finals. In the Dinger Division, Dorkus Malorkus won their match against the Cleveland, OH team, Kardiac Kids to claim a spot in the Conference Finals (Final 4). The Schlotzskys swept More Like "Kan't Jam" to advance in the Bucket Division. PhiLeep ousted #1 seed, Team Domination in five games to advance to the Final 4 for the second time in the World Championship. In a battle for the top spot in the Deuce Division, defending World Champions, Rebel Survivors defeated Michigan rookies, Hookers & Slickers four games to two in a heated match.
Scott Johnson & Trevor Cole
In the Final 4 (Conference Finals, best of 7), the top teams in each Conference faced off for a chance to advance to the Finals. Rebel Survivors defeated PhiLeep four games to two in a boyfriend vs. girlfriend matchup (Dan Klavoon of Rebel Survivors and LeeAnn Greenauer of PhiLeep). With finishing in 3rd place, LeeAnn Greenauer records the highest overall placement in the KanJam World Championship by a female player. She is still the only female player to make it to the Final 4 (2007 & 2010). In the other matchup, Dorkus Malorkus took a commanding lead over The Schlotzskys three games to one. Although The Schlotzskys competed in their first World Championship, they turned the series around by throwing an instant win. They eventually forced a game 7, where they would defeat the 4-time World Champions in overtime to advance to the Finals.
jumps for a bucket in a Finals game.
The 2010 KanJam World Championship Finals (best of 7) featured the top remaining team from each Conference. Representing the Bucket Division in the American KanJam Conference was The Schlotzskys. They would face off against Rebel Survivors from the National KanJam Conference (Deuce Division). In the Finals, Rebel Survivors won Game 1 to start the series. In the second game, The Schlotzskys forced overtime where both teams would match perfect buckets in the first round. The Schlotzskys eventually won Game 2 in double overtime to tie up the series. Although Rebel Survivors shot a perfect game of buckets in Game 3, The Schlotzskys matched points and Scott Johnson tossed a deuce on the last throw to force overtime yet again. In another double overtime round, Rebel Survivors won to take a 2-1 series lead. In a crucial turning point in the series, Eric Klavoon shot a much needed deuce to close out Game 4 for Rebel Survivors. Although Trevor Cole (The Schlotzskys) came close on an instant win attempt, Rebel Survivors won the game to lead the series 3-1. Dan Klavoon slammed the final bucket in Game 5 to close out. With Scott's last attempt for an instant win missing, Rebel Survivors clinched their second consecutive KanJam World Championship title. The win marked Eric Klavoon's 5th World title in the last 6 years.
The trophy for the official KanJam World Champions has always been the golden sledgehammer. The sledgehammer trophy symbolizes "the Hammer" (last toss option) in the game of KanJam. For years, the tradition was for the winning team of the KanJam World Championship to take home the hammer and carve their team name and year into the handle. The defending champions would then return the following year with the "upgraded" hammer to defend their title. With 20 years of champion teams completely filling both sides of the handle after 2009, a large base was assembled to mount the coveted hammer. In addition to the original 20 World Champion teams carved into the hammer, these teams and individual player names are now recognized with plaques around the top base of the trophy. The bottom base is empty to allow room for future World Champions. Starting in 2010, teams that win the World Championship will have their team name, year, and player names mounted as a plaque on the bottom base of the trophy. In addition, like last year, each World Champion team will receive their own sledgehammer with the year and "KanJam World Champions" listed. This hammer will be for each team to keep.
Playoff Bracket
(Click below for larger image of the completed bracket.)
More Team Photos from the 2010 KanJam World Championship
(Click on a team below.)
Arrogant Bastards , It's Always Cloudy In Rochester , Milo's Minions , Playground Legends , ROCford Peaches , Slackers , The Italian Stallions , The Sexy Ewoks! , We Get It In
Would you like to submit your team photo from the 2010 KanJam World Championship? If so, please email photos to
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. Please include your team name, full player names, and let us know who is who in the photo. If you have separate player photos, please send both and we'll combine them. Please include the high quality original photos. No pre-tournament photos will be posted; only photos from the tournament will be used.
Special Thanks
The KanJam World Championship tournament could not be made possible without the leadership and coordination of KanJam co-inventor Paul Swisher, along with a number of other people. Once again, special thanks go out to the dedicated KanJam teams and spectators who traveled from across the country to participate in this event. The tradition of this tournament will always be centered around camaraderie, having fun, and good sportsmanship. Proceeds from the 2010 KanJam World Championship benefited Carly's Club at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (a childhood cancer research fund) and the North Tonawanda Police Athletic League.
Special thanks to the following for making this tournament yet another success:
tournament coordinator
Sponsors - Paul Urtel (proud supporter of the NT PAL and KanJam) , Laux Sporting Goods , Olympia Sports
Setup of cans - Paul Swisher, Eric Klavoon, Tim Klavoon, Dan Klavoon, Karen Klavoon, Kim Daugherty
Setup of the field of play and laying out divisions/courts - Jim Daugherty, Tim Klavoon, Eric Klavoon, Dan Klavoon
Setup of facilities, providing food & drink, cooking - North Tonawanda Police & families - Jim Daugherty , Laurie Daugherty , David Rousselle , Steve Endres , Todd Bush , Tom Krantz, Kim Krantz, Tori Krantz
Setup of KanJam courts - Dan Klavoon, Bob Bowers, Eric Klavoon
Building the base for the coveted KanJam World Championship trophy - Tim Klavoon
Creating the playoff bracket board - Kim Daugherty
Tournament signs - Eric Klavoon, Kim Daugherty, Tim Klavoon
Music - Eric Klavoon, Josh Tonn
Team folders/scoresheets - Eric Klavoon, Dan Klavoon
Online registration setup and emails - Eric Klavoon
Team bags with food/drink, T-shirt/disc tickets - Paul Swisher, Candy Swisher
Team sign-in - Laurie Daugherty, Carly Rubin
T-shirt/flying disc giveaways and raffles - Candy Swisher, Emily Quinlan, Elise Bors, Rachel Fornalik, Bethany Wojo, Eric Baker, Marcus Viele
Organizing teams for the playoffs - Phil Schneider, Kim Daugherty
Photos - Susan Goldman
Video story of tournament - Dan Fisher (SkunkPost.com) - Click here to watch video.
Tournament coordinator - Paul Swisher
Charlie and Mitch would like to thank everyone involved for a great tournament and look forward to seeing you at next year's World Championship in 2011.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS COMING SOON - check back for more updates!
