Fresh off her second straight win on the Planet Pool Tour in Pennsylvania (April 16-17), Megan Smith travelled to Arlington, VA and chalked up a victory on the J. Pechauer Northeast Women's Tour (JPNEWT), coming from the one-loss side to meet and defeat Tina Meraglio, who'd sent her over, in the finals. The $1,000-added event drew 20 entrants to Hi Cue Billiards in Arlington, VA.
As Smith moved over to begin her five-match journey back to the finals, Meraglio moved among the winners' side final four to meet Cheryl Squire. Tour director, Linda Shea, in the meantime, squared off against Shanna Lewis. Both matches went double hill, before Meraglio and Lewis advanced to the hot seat match and another double hill struggle. Meraglio prevailed a second time to gain the hot seat, sending Lewis to the semifinals.
Shea moved to the one-loss side and ran right into Smith, who'd defeated Pauline Mattes and Eugenia Gyftopolas, both 7-2, to reach her. Squire picked up Sharon O'Hanlon, who'd survived a double hill contest versus Nicole Vincent and defeated Kathy Friend 7-5. Squire defeated O'Hanlon 7-2, as Smith downed Shea 7-4. Shea, who recently added contact lenses to improve her vision at the table, was thrilled with her fifth place finish ("I can see now," she said, "and I'm starting to finish in the money.").
With three down and three to go, Smith defeated Squire in the quarterfinals 7-3, and got her chance at revenge versus Meraglio with a 7-5 victory over Lewis in the semifinals. In the modified race-to-9 finals (if hot seat occupant reaches 7 first, it's over; otherwise extended to 9 games), Smith jumped the extension hurdle and then finished the match and event, ahead by five games at 9-4.
In addition to her first place prize money, Smith earned a seat at the next WPBA US Open, scheduled for next month in Tulsa, OK.
