NCAA Tournament Challenge

$3,000 in Cash Prizes

And the Winners Are ...

The standings for the ten winners are below, plus their military biographies and bracketology secrets.

#	UserName:	Prize	Total Points	Tie Break	Points
#	UserName:	Prize	Total Points	Tie Break	R1	R2	S16	E8	F4	Fin
1	Zonka10	$2,000	148	116	28	20	28	32	24	16
2	jakemefford	$400	146	149	28	22	24	32	24	16
3	tomwith3girls	$250	146	198	26	24	24	32	24	16
4	sbt6450	$50	145	142	23	26	24	32	24	16
5	REYNALDO.BREGAUDIT	$50	143	172	23	28	28	24	24	16
6	Shake	$50	143	175	23	20	28	32	24	16
7	ivaughan	$50	142	157	28	18	32	24	24	16
8	Tyleras	$50	142	128	24	22	24	32	24	16
9	hop1963us	$50	140	6	24	24	28	24	24	16
10	johnnyb80	$50	139	148	25	22	28	24	24	16

WINNERS

GRAND PRIZE: $2,000

SGT Andrew Galonzka (Zonka10)

Dates Service: June 19, 2000 – Present

Branch: Marine Corps

Units: MWSS 472 Det B

Where: AL Asad IRAQ (Operation Iraqi Freedom 2); Kuwait; Miramar, CA; Westover Air Reserve Base, Chicopee, MA; Lejeune, NC; Camp Pendleton, CA

Positions: Platoon SGT, Squad Leader, Heavy Equipment Floor Chief

Comments About Military: I had a good experience in IRAQ. Saw things I never thought I would see in a life time. Being from Boston, I was in Iraq for the PATRIOTS winning the SUPERBOWL. RED SOX winning the WORLD SERIES for the first time in a very long time. Not to mention I was there for all the major US Holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, V-day).

Comments About Winning: When I found out that I won the Grand Prize, I got up from the computer in complete shock. I thought I was going to probably win 2nd place because my tiebreaker score was not even close to what the finally score ended up being. Then I found out I won the Grand Prize by 2pts and it didn't even have to go to the tiebreaker score. It was the greatest feeling to win $2,000. This is the first time I have ever won the NCAA Tournament Challenge or any NCAA Tournament Bracket. I plan on spending the money on a nice vacation with my beautiful girlfriend of 2 yrs (Heather). I think a trip to Italy would be a good vacation spot. Thank you VAJoe.com for the giving me the chance to become this year's NCAA Tournament Grand Prize Winner! To all who have served and or are still serving overseas Thank You! God Bless and may you return home safely! Semper FI...

Bracketology Secrets: I had faith in FLORIDA for the Repeat Championship!!! I will say its a little bit of skill and a whole lot of luck!!!


SSGT Rose and SGT Galonzka		LCPL Trout and SGT Galonzka

2nd Place: $400

SSG Jake Mefford (jakemefford)

Dates Service: Aug. 1990 – Present

Branch: Army

Units: 1st ID, 3rd ID, 4/16 Cav, 2/33rd AR, 4/15th IN, 1/26 IN, 1/41 IN, 5th ID, 2nd BDE, 1/9 IN, 1/78 FA. 1/19 FA

Where: FT. Polk; Vilseck, GE; FT. Knox; FT. Riley; Korea; Schwienfurt, GE; FT. Sill. Been deployed to Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo.

Positions: 60 gunner, 249 gunner, Bradley commander, Team Leader, Squad Leader, PLT SGT, Drill SGT

Comments: I am presently on Drill Sergeant status at FT Sill, I have been here a little over a year now. I have been in the military since I was 18, and plan to stay until I am 45 years of age which will give me about 27 years of service. I love the military and there is nothing else that I would rather be doing than serving this great country. I am proud to be an American and God bless all that given their lives for this great nation.

Comments About Winning: With my winnings I am going to get some new tires for my vehicle and then put the rest in my savings account. When I won I was so happy along with my wife as well and a little shocked, but oh so happy.