Top cop: Pineville police officer wins inaugural cornhole tournament

Melinda Martinez, Alexandria Town Talk
·1 min read
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Pineville police officers Michael Daenen (back left) and Walter Fausphoul face off against each other in the championship round of the first 5th Saturday Market on Main Street Cornhole Tournament at the Main Street Truck Park in Pineville. Daenen emerged victorious, winning 15-8.
Pineville police officers Michael Daenen (back left) and Walter Fausphoul face off against each other in the championship round of the first 5th Saturday Market on Main Street Cornhole Tournament at the Main Street Truck Park in Pineville. Daenen emerged victorious, winning 15-8.

Pineville police officer Michael Daenen made history when he became the champion of the first 5th Saturday Market on Main Street Cornhole Tournament at the Main Street Truck Park.

He and his partner, Walter Fausphoul, played two rounds against six other competitors before facing off against each other in the championship match, which Daenen won 15-8.

"The secret was to let him throw in the first game," Daenen said. "I wore him out."

Before the championship round, he jokingly told Fausphoul that he could throw first because he was older. So the strategy wasn't just physical but mental as well.

Spectators also gathered around to watch Daenen and Fausphoul to see which one would come out on top.

Pineville police officer Walter Fausphoul, left, reacts after the bean bag he threw missed the hole. He faced off against his partner, Michael Daenen, in the championship round of the first 5th Saturday Market on Main Street Cornhole Tournament at the Main Street Truck Park in Pineville. Daenen won 15-8.
Pineville police officer Walter Fausphoul, left, reacts after the bean bag he threw missed the hole. He faced off against his partner, Michael Daenen, in the championship round of the first 5th Saturday Market on Main Street Cornhole Tournament at the Main Street Truck Park in Pineville. Daenen won 15-8.

Fausphoul said he was trying to keep the bags on the board and just keep from passing out in the heat.

"We wanted to do something fun for the community," said Amanda Kowatz, manager of the truck park. The tournament was sponsored by the truck park and Sunny 106.9 FM.

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Daenen won a $25 chip (coupon) from Jim Deggys Pizza Place and a $100 gift certificate from Real Deal Marine.

Another tournament is in the works and Kowatz said they hope to have a lot more teams participating.

Daenen said he felt good about his win considering the other players were pretty good. And he'll be back again to defend his title.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Officer wins 5th Saturday Market on Main Street Cornhole Tournament