Chris Middleton

Tyler Lugo

I am ACL Pro Tyler Lugo from the Northeast Conference and this is my story of how and when I started playing cornhole and worked my way up to an ACL Pro. I’m a high school senior from New Britain, CT. My favorite bags are GameChangers and Slide-Rites. My Favorite shot is block and my Favorite trick shot is blindfolded. I play in a weekly league at Central Connecticut Cornhole and I practice every day that I can. My Uncle introduced the game to me about 2 years ago and I have been addicted ever since. So far, my biggest and most favorite accomplishment was being on ESPN.

Harlee Culpepper

I am Harlee Culpepper ACL Pro from the Atlantic Conference and this is my story of how I started playing cornhole. I actually started playing probably about 5-6 years ago back when I was 9 or 10 at a small place called Driver in Suffolk, Virginia. It doesn’t cost much to play and all the money goes to charity and you win a metal instead of money. It keeps the game fun and is for a good cause. I started going out there with my dad and that’s where I found love and a passion for the game. I’ve only wanted to get better ever since.

Zach Owings

I am ACL Pro Zach Owings from the Atlantic Conference and this is my story of how and when I started playing cornhole and worked my way up to an ACL Pro. I used to play with my uncles and my dad all the time, and i started going to little weekly tournaments and got hooked.

Stacia Pugh

I am Stacia Pugh ACL Pro from the Mid-East Conference and this is my story of how and when I started playing cornhole and worked my way up to an ACL Pro.

My name is Stacia Pugh and I'm an ACL Pro and the number one ranked female in the nation.

Cornhole was introduced to me about 9 years ago at a family cookout, and after a few weeks of my dad incessantly trash talking me and winning game after game

Stacia's Dad: Did you bring your toothbrush?
Stacia: ummm.. no. Was I supposed to sleep over or someth.... ?
Stacia's Dad: Cuz it's BED TIME!
*4th bag goes in the hole for the win*
Stacia: you fricker... *grumble grumble*

So enough was enough and I decided to get my own set of boards and start practicing secretly so I could put an end to it. Once I was finally giving him some good games, it was too late.. I was hooked. And when I learned there were actually cornhole leagues and cornhole tournaments I swear I was never so excited. I had to try. :)

This lead to me the Cleveland Cornhole League and Dave Weiser, who at the time, was arguably the top player in Cleveland. My neighbor, Ron Weiss, and I fought through the ranks and eventually got to Division I and even began winning it. Later I teamed up with Christine Papcke and we began competing in national events together. In 2015, we achieved Team of the Year and many Women's titles.

In August 2018, after 20 years utilizing my Master's Degree in Urban Planning & Development, I actually left my job to go full-time cornhole (and chess as well; my 2nd favorite passion). Now I travel the country playing cornhole, playing chess, teaching chess, working as a tournament director and doing media appearances for the ACL. I used to joke about living the dream, but now it seems maybe I am?

Queens Corner Cornhole Blog
Road to 1900: Chess Blog