Editing All Americans (section)

=== Formation and early competition ===

The All Americans were established following the Gardner brothers' introduction to tournament paintball in the late 1980s.

According to the Gardners' company history, they initially competed in local recreational games before assembling a team for the Wolf's Lair 20-man tournament. The group finished second behind the PMI Piranhas, winning a cash prize of $10,000. The experience encouraged the brothers to establish the All Americans as a dedicated tournament team. [1]

The team subsequently competed in the Line SI tournament series, gradually progressing through the rankings before winning the 1991 Masters Championship in Tennessee. [1]

In 1989, the Gardners founded Smart Parts, initially developing paintball barrels and accessories that could be used by the team. The relationship between the company and its tournament players became a central part of both organisations' development. [1]