Certified Judge Program
WATL Certified Judges are held to the highest standard in understanding and implementing our rules when overseeing sanctioned events such as leagues, tournaments, qualifiers, and more. Certified Judges allow venues to organize and run sanctioned competitions and events to the highest standards.
WATL Judges are:
- Certified by WATL
- Up to date with the latest rules and changes
- Able to officially run WATL-sanctioned leagues
- Able to assist in WATL-sanctioned tournaments, including the World Axe Throwing Championship
- Knowledgeable in the rules for:
- Hatchet
- Big Axe
- Hatchet Duals
- Able to conduct Qualifying Throws for Major and Televised Tournaments
- Able to renew or update their Certified Judge status in future years when rule changes occur
- Able to serve as substitutes to assist other venues in hosting leagues or tournaments
- And much more!
There are three levels of Judge Certification:
Starting from the entry level, League Judge, each successive level requires the test taker to hold a valid/active certification from the previous level.
For example, in order to become a Certified Head Judge, one would have to already have an up to date Tournament Judge Certification, and in order to become a Certified Tournament Judge, one would have to already have an up to date Tournament League Certification.
League Judge Certification
League Judges oversee local WATL sanctioned league matches, helping competitors understand the rules and ensuring fair, honest play. This level focuses on hands-on application of the WATL ruleset at its most fundamental state, employing the guidelines and practices of the gameplay rules and code of conduct in everyday sanctioned Leagues.
Tournament Judge Certification
Requiring an active League Judge Certification, the Tournament Judge Certification is the next step up from routine league nights or marathons. Certified Tournament Judges have honed their skills and knowledge base to a point that they are able to officiate WATL-sanctioned tournaments from local, regional, national tournaments all the way to the World Championship. They navigate more complex matches, handle closer calls (and see a lot more sudden death faceoffs!), and support tournament organizers in running a professional competitive experience for every WATL competitor.
Head Judge Certification
Head Judges are the paragons of judging excellency; they are the most qualified (aside from the Head of Officiating) to make final rulings, resolve disputes, and ensure every match is conducted fairly and professionally. Beyond overseeing the action on the lanes, Head Judges mentor other judges, help coordinate tournament operations, and uphold the integrity of the competition from start to finish. This certification reflects advanced expertise in WATL rules & events, as well as a commitment to delivering the best possible experience for players, organizers, and spectators alike.
The full list of active WATL Judges:
Last updated 01/09/2026
Certified League Judges
Akira Ito
Alex Everson
Alex Miller
Alexis L. Ruiz
Alison Fawthrop
Alon Shahak
Amber Benenati
Andrew Lord Wolf
Andy Rinehart
Angharad Gladding
Anthony Tolen
Artie Mathewson
Ashlyn Lampela-Christmas
Austin Campbell
Austin Folk
Austin Shepperd
Barry Burris
Benjamin Bingert
Benjamin Gaddy
Billy Thomas Michael Bradshaw
Bo Trammell
Bob Ferguson
Brad A Harvey
Bradley Heath
Brandi Melanson
Brandon Elliott
Brent Henderson
Brent Killins
Brian Cottrell
Brian Luba
Brian Vincent
Brittany Austin
Bruce Netto
Carrie Zavoral
Cary Brown
Casey Faulkner
Catherine Dowie
Cheryl Hamilton
Chester Chapman
Chris Springer
Christina Kloster
Christopher Anderson
Christopher Dubois
Christopher George Huften
Clark Zimmerman
Cody Scott
Cole Tuft
Colin Blyth
Colton Askew
Connor Pedersen
Cory Taylor
Dan Fisher
Danny Williams
David Delellis
David Lewis
David Lowe
Debra Benge
Dennis J Denny
Dialyn Gray Barry Thelen
Donnie Fulbright
Dorothy Winter
Drew Moss
Dwayne Tharpe
Dylan Baker
Dylan S. J. Dombroski
Eitan Goldmeer
Ej Harris
Elias Assad
Eric Lemmons
Erik Thompson
Erika Dicocco
Evelyn Oliver
Frank Gutierrez
Gary Mccartney
Gary W Whitaker
Geoff Putney
Glenn Roberts
Grant Kramb
Gregory A Mckeithan
Haily Dudzinski
Hannah Bryn Hofstatter
Harley Berger
Heather Teichgraeber
Ian Colin Ireland
Ignacio “Luke” Salazar
Jacob L Perkins Ii
James Cotton
James David Hoselton
James Hewitt
James Whiteley
Jarom Surface
Jasmine Ramey
Jason Benge
Jason D Albert
Jason Sirett
Jason Walters
Jeb Bisset
Jeffrey Coulton
Jen Gaddy
Jennifer “Djenni” Kucinski
Jesse Gutzman
Jessica Demeola
Jim Karlin
Jimmy Nettles
Joe Devine
Joe Flaugher
Joe Handy
John Doepke
John Pollard
Jonathan Beard Ie Ragnar Beard On Watl
Jorge Sanchez
Joseph Kucia
Josh Heake
Joshua Pantke
Joshua Albert
Jt Axecop
Kati Hajek
Keith Hummel
Kelin Randall
Kellan Gallagher Peterson
Kendra D Tubman
Kendra Kolomyja
Kevin Mcnair
Kevin Pomey
Kimberly Netto
Kirstyn Valencia
Kori Ellis
Krista Hagen
Lamont Taylor
Lauren Staab
Lavonne Williams
Marcia Lozier
Marguerite Tilton
Matt Bradshaw
Matthew Dixon
Matthew Perry
Matthew Shkaf
Megan Desilva
Melanie Winters
Melinda Ore
Micah Fonoroff
Michael Bullis
Michael Endthoff
Michael Fitzgerald
Michael King
Michael Moss
Mike Cox
Mike Morton
Mohammad Al-Sheboul
Monty Montgomery
Nathan Lumley
Neil Rust
Nevin Gordon-Keolanui
Nicholas Farrow
Nigel Sakos
Pamela Erickson
Patrick Bachman
Rachel House
Rachel Meade
Ray Siochowicz
Raymond “Stingray” Dales
Robert Keller
Robert Mccollum
Ronald J Murphy Ii
Ross Ericksen
Ryan Kreger
Ryan Ortiz
Ryan Smit
Sana Khan
Sarah Woody
Sarah/Liz ‘Grey’ Westlake
Scott Melanson
Scott Schell
Shane Funke
Shane Lemmond
Shawn Harm
Shawn J Erickson
Shawn T. Eaton Sr
Shawn T. Eaton Sr.
Shinnosuke Owada
Shunnosuke Hirano
Stephen Latza
Steve Bridges
Steve Falco
Steven Greene
Ted R. Cook Jr.
Terry Bolton
Thomas Fenn Jr
Tom Nelson
Trace Bailitz
Trevor Weaver
Tricia Miller
Trish Aubertin
Tyler Burns
Tyler Kambeitz
Victor Blessing
Vince Prater
Will Taylor
Zach Yamasaki
Zachary Lund
Certified Tournament Judges
Alex Miller
Alison Fawthrop
Alon Shahak
Amber Benenati
Andy Rinehart
Anthony Tolen
Ashlyn Lampela-Christmas
Austin Shepperd
Barry Burris
Benjamin Bingert
Benjamin Gaddy
Bo Trammell
Brandon Elliott
Brent Killins
Brian Cottrell
Brian Luba
Brian Vincent
Brittany Austin
Bruce Netto
Cary Brown
Casey Faulkner
Catherine Dowie
Chris Springer
Christina Kloster
Christopher Anderson
Christopher Dubois
Cody Scott
Cole Tuft
Colton Askew
Connor Pedersen
Dan Fisher
Danny Williams
David Lewis
David Lowe
Debra Benge
Dialyn Gray Barry Thelen
Donnie Fulbright
Dorothy Winter
Drew Moss
Dylan Baker
Ej Harris
Elias Assad
Eric Lemmons
Erik Thompson
Erika Dicocco
Frank Gutierrez
Geoff Putney
Glenn Roberts
Grant Kramb
Gregory A Mckeithan
Greogry A Mckeithan
Haily Dudzinski
Hannah Bryn Hofstatter
Heather Teichgraeber
Ian Colin Ireland
Ignacio “Luke” Salazar
Jacob L Perkins Ii
James Hewitt
Jarom Surface
Jasmine Ramey
Jason Benge
Jason Sirett
Jason Walters
Jeb Bisset
Jen Gaddy
Jennifer “Djenni” Kucinski
Jessica Demeola
Jim Karlin
Jimmy Nettles
Joe Devine
Joe Handy
John Doepke
John Pollard
Jorge Sanchez
Joseph Kucia
Jt Axecop
Kellan Gallagher Peterson
Kendra D Tubman
Kendra Kolomyja
Kevin Mcnair
Kimberly Netto
Lauren Staab
Lavonne Williams
Marcia Lozier
Marguerite Tilton
Matthew Dixon
Matthew Perry
Melanie Winters
Melinda Ore
Micah Fonoroff
Michael Fitzgerald
Michael Moss
Mike Cox
Mike Morton
Monty Montgomery
Nathan Lumley
Nevin Gordon-Keolanu
Nicholas Farrow
Nigel Sakos
Patrick Bachman
Rachel House
Ray Siochowicz
Raymond Stingray Dales
Robert Keller
Ryan Kreger
Sana Khan
Sarah Woody
Scott Melanson
Scott Schell
Shane Funke
Shawn T. Eaton Sr.
Steve Bridges
Steven Greene
Ted R Cook Jr
Tom Nelson
Trevor Weaver
Tricia Miller
Trish Aubertin
Tyler Kambeitz
Victor Blessing
Vince Prater
Certified Head Judges
Alison Fawthrop
Andrew Moss
Austin Shepperd
Christina Kloster
Christina Kloster
Donnie Fulbright
Gregory A Mckeithan
Heather Teichgraeber
Jeb Bisset
Jennifer “Djenni” Kucinski
Joseph Kucia
Kellan Gallagher Peterson
Kendra Kolomyja
Kevin Mcnair
Marcia Lozier
Marguerite Tilton
Sana Khan
Shane Funke
Trish Aubertin
Interested in becoming a WATL Certified judge too? The program is open to the public! You do not have to be employed at an axe throwing venue to participate and receive the certification. In order to apply and participate in the WATL Judge Certification program, click on the button below; Upon purchase, you will be sent a link to complete the relevant Certification Quiz.
Upon passing the test, you’ll be sent a certificate with your name and date of completion, signifying that you are a WATL Certified Judge! With this certification, you will be able to run and manage sanctioned events as an official who has a strong comprehension of the WATL rules and the code of conduct to a high standard.
