A Magical Weekend in Milwaukee: Will Krueger's Rise to the Top
Magic history has a way of repeating itself, and this past weekend's US Regional Championship in Milwaukee was no exception. Will Krueger, a 26-year-old player from Illinois, found himself in a truly full-circle moment as he emerged victorious, echoing his past experiences in the same city over a decade ago.
Krueger's journey to the top has been a steady climb, marked by consistent finishes at Regional Championships since the return to tabletop play in 2023. However, this win was a breakthrough he had been chasing for years, and it came with a particularly nostalgic twist.
"The first big event I ever played was a 200-player Second-Chance Qualifier 5K here, which was over 10 years ago now," Krueger recalled. "That was also in Milwaukee, probably in that same building. In that event, I drew a match with Phil Silberman in the Top 8. I drew with him again into the Top 8 on Sunday of the Regional Championship, which is insane."
Krueger's victory was no fluke, as he navigated a diverse and challenging metagame with his Izzet Lessons deck. His path to the title was impressive, as he faced seven different decks in the 18 rounds of play, showcasing the versatility and power of his chosen strategy.
The win not only earned Krueger a trophy and a ticket back to the Pro Tour, but it also secured him a coveted invitation to the World Championship, a long-standing goal he had been chasing since his early days of competitive Magic.
"I think this is kind of tied with winning the MOCS," Krueger reflected. "The cash prize for both events was exactly $20,000, so I can't really compare that, but this did queue me for Worlds, which the MOCS didn't. So, this is probably better than the MOCS win. Which is awesome, because I never thought I'd top that."
Krueger's success is a testament to his dedication and the support of his friends and Magic teammates, who have been instrumental in his preparation for events over the years. With this victory, he hopes to build on his momentum and achieve greater heights, including strong finishes at the Pro Tour and, ultimately, the World Championship.
"My ultimate goal is to win Worlds because that's the best tournament with the best players and the highest prizes," Krueger explained. "I don't really know what's next, I just want to try to play as many Pro Tours and other cool tournaments as I can like the World Championship, the MOCS, and Arena Championships."
As the Magic community looks forward to the upcoming Pro Tour and World Championship events, all eyes will be on Will Krueger, a player whose journey has come full circle, and who now stands poised to make an even bigger impact on the game he loves.