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 Becky Nellesson (2nd place), Kim White (4th place), Julie Stephenson (3rd place) and Gail Lave (1st place).
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The tournament started on Saturday at 10am with play lasting until 7pm to pare down the field to 12 players. 7 of the 10 players in contention for the WPBA qualifier were in the remaining 12 players on Sunday. This was an exciting event with some new faces finishing in the top 10. Congratulations to Kim Pierce of Houston, Yvette Cox and Kawania Watson of San Antonio for their outstanding finishes.
On Sunday, it was a fierce battle with the remaining 4 players focused on winning the qualifier. Gail Lave and Becky Nellesson played for the hot seat. It was an interesting match, as Gail had been in a car accident the previous week and was playing with a broken finger and other assorted injuries and Becky was having a baby due in only 2 weeks! In spite of these challenges, both of these players played great.
Gail started her run with wins over EG Felan (7-0), Nicole Bacon (7-2), Jennifer Prost (7-2), Kim Pierce (7-3), Kawania Watson (7-5) and winning the "hot seat" by besting Becky (7-2). Becky posted wins over Erin Hayden (7-4), Stacy Linerode (7-6), Melissa Khuong, Deanna Kniola and Kim White (7-4) before being sent to the one-loss side by Gail.
Julie Stephenson (our very own Hunter Board Member) had another strong showing by battling back in the one-loss side after a losing her first match to Deanna Kniola. Julie defeated Cynthia Ferrer (7-4), Nancy French (7-4), Jennifer Prost, Yvette Cox, Leslie Rogers (7-2) and Kawania Watson. Julie prevailed over Kim White, who was looking for her 3rd straight win. Kim White finished 4th - which increased her ranking to 2nd place on the point standings on the Hunter Classics Tour.
The match to see who made it to the finals was a race to 9, pitting Julie against Becky. It was a tight match that see-sawed back and forth before reaching hill-hill, with Becky winning the match 9-8. Congratulations to Julie for an outstanding tournament!
It was a rematch of the hot seat match with Becky and Gail. Gail took a commanding lead, with Becky fiercely fighting for a come from behind win. However, a determined Gail won the match 11-7. Gail won her 2nd Hunter Classics tour stop this year! In addition Gail was the lucky winner of the $2000 Hunter Classics Custom Cue!
 Second Chance Tournament:
Melinda Bailey (1st place), LaDonna Ulrich (3rd place) and Mindy Williams (2nd place) |
Thanks to Fast Freddy's and all their staff for hosting the event and we look forward to being there again next year! A big thank you to Randy Cole for running the main event and Albert Aguilar and Kurt Lehr for the 2nd chance event.
Wanda Benavides won a subscription to the American Cueist, Wendy Echols won a Camel shirt donated by Men's pro-player Jeremy Jones and Jesse B. won the Frog jump cue donated by WPBA player Robin Dobson.
Last by not least - thanks so much to Wes Hunter - who has made this Tour possible!
MAIN EVENT:
1st Gail Lave - $750 + WPBA Qualifier
2nd Becky Nellesson - $600
3rd Julie Stephenson - $450
4th Kim White - $300
5/6 Kawania Watson - $175
Brenda Plantz
7/8 Leslie Rogers - $100
Melanie Koger
9/12 Deanna Kniola - $65
Yvette Cox
Kim Pierce
Cathy Vanover
13/16 Melinda Bailey - $45
Sheila Papin
Jennifer Prost
Nicole Bacon
17/24 Audra Carter - $30
Melissa Khuong
Michelle Cortez
Diana Lewis
Nancy French
Stacy Linerode
Sandi Dunlap
Wanda Benavidas
SECOND CHANCE:
1st Melinda Bailey $140
2nd Mindy Williams $100
3rd LaDonna Ulrich $75
4th Michelle Cortez $45
By: Cynthia Ferrer