Meghan is one half of the Good Luck High Five podcast and an adjunct professor at Tolarian Community College. She loves Limited, likes Modern, and dips her toes into each Standard season. She's decidedly blue and is the #1 hater of Siege Rhino in the Multiverse.

Get to know the players that made the Top 8 of Grand Prix Portland 2017!

Brandon Goe

Twitter Handle: @NightFury301

Hometown: Spokane, WA

Occupation: Aspiring Pro Gamer :)

Day 1 Record: 7-2

Day 2 Record: 6-0

Previous Magic Accomplishments:

2nd at States, Montana 2012

Consistent 2nd place PPTQ finishes

What deck are you playing and why?

Mono-Red, I have several games with the deck. I know the match-ups, and I love casting Hazoret!

What was your best card this weekend and why?

Three-way tie between Ferocidon, Harsh Mentor, Hazoret! They make your opponents play so differently and synergies well.

What was your favorite memory from this weekend?

I cam to play a GP with all my friends/test partners, made Day 2, made Top 8, and it's my birthday weekend

What would winning the Grand Prix mean to you?

Everything. I've played my entire life for a moment like this and it's the first step to making it closer to the dream!

Derek Candelario

Hometown: San Ramon, CA

Occupation: Logistics Coordinator

Day 1 Record: 8-1

Day 2 Record: 5-1

Previous Magic Accomplishments:

Game Day Champion

What deck are you playing and why?

Temur Energy. It has answers to everything.

What was your best card this weekend and why?

Glorybringer. If your opponent doesn't deal with it you will probably win the game.

What was your favorite memory from this weekend?

Finishing at x-2 and qualifying for the PT for the first time.

What would winning the Grand Prix mean to you?

Everything. It has been my biggest goal throughout my life.

Christoffer Larsen

Hometown: Copenhagen, Denmark

Occupation: Military Navy

Day 1 Record: 9-0

Day 2 Record: 9-1-1

Previous Magic Accomplishments:

Back-to-back 2-Headed Giant champion, Pro Tour Champion Thrower, and some GP Top 8s

What deck are you playing and why?

4-Color Gonti Energy, had it sleeved from last week

What was your best card this weekend and why?

Dark Confidant and Contempt

What was your favorite memory from this weekend?

Winning Round 13 and great food

What would winning the Grand Prix mean to you?

Have to pay for dinner for the guys tonight :O

Alex Wilson

Twitter Handle: @alexmw14

Hometown: Woodinville, WA

Occupation: Real Estate

Day 1 Record: 8-1

Day 2 Record: 5-1

Previous Magic Accomplishments:

MTGO Classic Premier Event Champion

What deck are you playing and why?

Temur Energy - #meguccicuisine

What was your best card this weekend and why?

Glorybringer - obvious reasons

What was your favorite memory from this weekend?

Quality time with my wife the day before the event

What would winning the Grand Prix mean to you?

A late drive home

James Eero Stevenson

Twitter Handle: @Jeds1993

Hometown: Duncan, BC

Occupation: stay at home dad for a puppy

Day 1 Record: 8-1

Day 2 Record: 5-1

Previous Magic Accomplishments:

Scrubbed out of PT Oath of the Gatewatch

Beat Kevin Besta in a Modern game

Won a Modern FNM with Restore Balance once

What deck are you playing and why?

RG Pummeler. Played it because both Samuts are great and I wanted removal for mono-red

What was your best card this weekend and why?

Samut, Voice of Dissent

Why? Oops, I win. Also shout out to Sammy T, Samut, the Tested

What was your favorite memory from this weekend?

Friend said he would give me his Dragon Ball playmat if I made the Top 8, so I did

What would winning the Grand Prix mean to you?

@SeanHunter

Shahar Shenhar

Twitter Handle: @ShaharShenhar

Hometown: Jerusalem, Israel

Occupation: MtG Player

Day 1 Record: 8-1

Day 2 Record: 4-1-1

Previous Magic Accomplishments:

Top 16 Pro Tour Ixalan

What deck are you playing and why?

Temur, it's the best deck. All of my team wins with it. Crazy not to play.

What was your best card this weekend and why?

Glorybringer/Bristling Hydra

What was your favorite memory from this weekend?

When Larson scooped me into Top 8 at 12-1

What would winning the Grand Prix mean to you?

Pro points! And a great start to the season.

Michael Bernat

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Occupation: Software Engineer

Day 1 Record: 8-1

Day 2 Record: 4-1-1

Previous Magic Accomplishments:

12th and 20th at GP Vegas in Legacy/Modern

What deck are you playing and why?

Ramunap Red, played it a lot before the event

What was your best card this weekend and why?

Hazoret the Fervent - best card in the deck

What was your favorite memory from this weekend?

drinks & dinner at a great bourbon lounge

What would winning the Grand Prix mean to you?

I would probably play more GPs

Stephen Barnett

Hometown: Vancouver, BC

Occupation: Office Administrator

Day 1 Record: 8-1

Day 2 Record: 4-1-1

Previous Magic Accomplishments:

Number 1 on the Marcel Dizon power rankings

What deck are you playing and why?

Ramunap Red, I played it at PT Ixalan so I know it well, also I can't seem to win in this format with any other decks

What was your best card this weekend and why?

Hazoret the Fervent, you cast it and then you win

What was your favorite memory from this weekend?

Beating Jeff Fung at Love Letter

What would winning the Grand Prix mean to you?

Insane bragging rights.