Top-ranking contestants in the 25th Annual O.Henry Pun-Off World Championships, which took place on May 4, 2002:

PUNNIEST OF SHOW (POS)

1st/2nd place tied with 36 points and a clap-off for the trophy.

1st: Jim Ertner, Boston, MA

2nd: Tiff Wimberly, Fayetteville, AR

3rd place tied with 34 points each and resulted in a shared medal.

3rd: Jim Hahn, Waco

3rd: Carlotta Stankiewicz, Austin

HIGH-LIES & LOW PUNS (HL/LP)

The final round was a three-way battle on the topic of “external body parts.” Competitors finished as follows:

1st: Brian Snider, Austin

2nd: George McClughan, Austin

3rd: David Gugenheim, Austin

2nd Annual MVP Award (Most Vociferous Punster)

… went again to Gita Mani of Arlington.

Transcripts of many of the winning entries are available at www.punpunpun.com. Next year’s Pun-Off is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, at Wooldridge Park.

This article appears in June 7 • 2002.

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