Ike Runnels wins in Iowa

Ike Runnels

The tenth stop on the 2008/2009 Pechauer All American Tour (produced by the American CueSports Alliance – ACS) was hosted at Legend's Sports Bar in Clinton, IA, on Saturday, November 1.  The $500 added event drew twenty-six players in a double-elimination 8-ball format on 7-foot bar boxes.  Scott Hargens (Cedar Rapids, IA) ran undefeated to the finals.  In the A-side finals, Hargens (rated a “5” on a regional handicap system used) clipped elite player Isaac Runnels [7] (Hopkins Park, IL) 5-5.  Earlier in the A-bracket semi-finals, Hargens handled Josh Johnson [7] (Bettendorf, IA) 5-2, while Runnels defeated Chad Vilmont [7] (Clinton, IA) by a 7-4 margin.  In the B-side bracket Charlie Wolfe [4] (Rockford, IL) ousted Jim Hanne [5] (Moline, IL) at 7th place 4-4, while Duane Tuula [5] (Rockford, IL) whitewashed Kent Wirtzman [4] (Manchester, IA) at the same placement 5-0.  In the loser's quarterfinals Vilmont toppled Charlie Wolfe into 5th place 7-3, while Tuula finished off Josh Johnson 5-3.  Vilmont then eliminated Duane Tuula at 4th place, 7-0.  In the B-side finals, Ike Runnels stopped Chad Vilmont's march at 3rd place by a comfortable 7-2 score.  In the tournament finals, Runnels had the unenviable task of defeating undefeated Scott Hargens in two sets for the title, and Ike was up to the challenge – clipping Hargens twice 7-2, 7-4 for the crown!
 
By virtue of Ike Runnels being the highest-finishing ACS member in the event, he qualified for a free 9-Ball singles entry into the 2009 ACS Nationals in Las Vegas – courtesy of the ACS.  The ACS wishes to thank sponsors J. Pechauer Custom Cues, Championship Billiard Fabric, Nick Varner Signature Cases and oZone Billiards for their support in donating “Value-In-Kind” product for this and all stops on the Pechauer All American Tour. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2008/2009 All American Tour by contacting the ACS.