History, Clans, Generations and Other BISERGS Awards

Nearly a week has passed since Rick placed the BISERGS Crown on his head.  This was the sixth BISERGS in history and the first time that someone outside of the Barrera clan has won the coveted title.  Here is a look at how Rick fits into the history of this great competition.  Dawn's second place finish matches her husband Dan's accomplishment in the 2010 version.

Throughout this BISERGS the idea of family groupings came up several times, so I decided to have a look at how things worked out by 'clan'.  I identified six different clans and listed them by BISERGSer that is closest to me in the family tree or by extended family name. Rick's Clan won the competition this time thanks to Rick's BISERGS victory, plus points earned by Derek, Rachel, Ari, Katee, Evan and Gray.

There are also many secondary contests within the BISERGS that need to be acknowledged.  First of all, the group that has always been most active in the BISERGS but has yet to win, is my nephews and nieces.  This year's prize goes to Lindsay Rutz who finished less than a point ahead of her cousin Levi Glenney.  Those two finished just ahead of Krista Rutz and Gray Samuelson who had exchanged first and second place in this category since 2010.

The BISERGS has been expanding during every World Cup, and it is always fun to acknowledge our leading new comers.  This year, Kelley Samuelson almost won the whole BISERGS in her first ever attempt, but when her Croatian's lost the championship match she slipped to third place overall.  She did win the First Timer Award and Nephew/Niece Winner Lindsay Rutz earned second place in the First Timer Category. 

Another way I love to see the BISERGS expanding is through the youngest competitors.  Every year we have a batch of Under 12-year-olds.  Rarely does someone this young make it into the top 10, but this year Lindsay fifth place finish makes her the top U12 participant. 

Finally, I want to look at all of the generations that play the BISERGS.  Taken from my generation, counting up, Carol Barrera won the ▲G category (one generation before mine) for the third time.  Carol had a disappointing BISERGS by her high standards, but she still did enough to hold off Cookie and Bill Snyder.  Rick won the =G category (same generation as mine) for the first time.  Rachel won the ▼1G category after finishing as the second place rookie in 2014.  Ari was a pioneer of th new BISERGS ▼2G category and won it unopposed, but some new BISERGSers will be reaching the four-year-old minimum soon, so she may be facing some stiff competition soon.