Lefkoff won, for Colorado!
I understand Lyman having to forfeit. Many players schedule their flights to get back home immediately following the finals.
If finals had not run so long, it was fine. But they did, so oh well.
If he hadn't made the finals, it would have worked out too.
Sometimes you figure if you make the finals, you can just reschedule the flight, as you will be pretty flush on cash at that point. (Maybe a satisfactory flight couldn't be booked)
Tourneys can run many hours long, or sometimes when the final 4 were supposed to play the next day, but instead the final 8 are now staying 1 more day.
It's a bit hard to grasp if you haven't actually seen it, many times.
Also, having a world championship already probly makes some decisions easier.
Congrats to all the players, and Zoë Vrabel, the 1st women's champion!

Also, knowing Lyman and having competed against him many times, I guarantee he was very apologetic and sincerely sorry that he couldn't continue.

Maybe he shouldn't have even played in the state finals if he didn't know he could play the whole Nationals?
People drop out of tourneys, it happens.
Giving shit to someone because of it is poor form.