Strickland and Aragon win Wheelchair event


Aaron Aragon & Earl Strickland with Renee Poehlman from the APA

The finals of the 2003 International Challenge of Wheelchair Champions was held on Saturday at Planet 9-Ball in Tampa Florida with the team of Earl Strickland and Aaron Aragon defeating the team of Johnny Archer and Charlie Hans 7-4 for the win.

Aragon and Hans were the last two players in the wheelchair event and they teamed up with the pros, who also played in wheelchairs, for the final which was recorded for later showing on ESPN.

Planet 9-Ball owner Ken Miller, who is also a wheelchair player, expressed his pride at bringing the event to his room and also in the over $4000 that was earned for the National Wheelchair Pool Players Association. He also thanked Olhausen Billiards for the donation of a $5000 table to the fund raising.

The fans were also treated to the induction of Mark 'The Snake' Jones into the NWPA Hall of Fame.

On Friday, Archer wowed the crowd with an exhibition and was joined by WPBA star Sarah Ellerby. Also in attendance were Ewa and Mitch Laurence who handled the commentary for ESPN.