Oscar contest winner experienced

When it comes to the annual Spokesman-Review Oscar contest, once a winner, always a winner.

At least that’s true when it comes to Spokane’s Megan Albertus.

For the third time, Albertus has placed among the top finishers in the S-R’s contest. She won outright this year, finishing ahead of the 519 other ballots cast by correctly picking 19 of the 24 categories. She even got the tie-breaker correct – five Oscars for “The Aviator.”

Albertus tied for third place last year and won outright in 2001.

Drew Piper placed second this year with 18 correct picks, edging out third-place finisher Alfred Olsen by virtue of the tie-breaker.

“There’s a science to predicting,” said Albertus, 23-year-old graduate of Washington State University who describes herself as “obsessed with movies.”

She even served as assistant to actor James Woods when he was in town recently to shoot scenes for the film “End Game.”

Guessing the smaller categories, she admitted, “That’s a crap shoot.” But for the major awards, she said, several online sources offer help.

“The Oscars is the last awards show,” Albertus said, “so there are certain Web sites that you can go to, like the Directors Guild, the Producers Guild, the technical awards.”

For her efforts, Albertus wins $100 worth of movie passes.

Piper wins $50, and Olsen, $25.