The NOVA Pumpkin Classic was held last Saturday, October 29, at George Mason Law School in Arlington VA. Over 30
participated, including 13 dan-level players. As usual, the winners took home fine pumpkins, selected by NOVA President Gary Smith. Of note is top winner Dairong Xu, who marched firmly through his top opposition.
![2016.10.31_novapump](http://www.usgo.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016.10.31_novapump-300x212.jpg)
The winners were:
First place: Dairong Xu, 5D, 4-0; Zehua Zhao, 4D, 3-1; Joseph Craig, 4K, 4-0; Gary Smith, 10K, 3-1; Robert Cole, 12K, 3-1 and Qidi Xu, 16K, 3-1 (tied); and Andrew Browning, 25K, 3-1.
Second place: Justin Teng, 6D, 3-1; Yanqing Sun, 3D, 2-2; Ryan Hunter, 1D, 3-1; Bob Crites, 7K, 3-0 and Sarah Crites, 9K, 3-1 (tied!); and Antonina Perez-Lopez, 20K, 2-2.
photo: the happy pumpkin crowd; report/photo by Allan Abramson