Fort Collins Colorado – Match-Ups Pool Hall hosted this years 9th Annual Colorado State Junior 9-Ball Champions. The one-day event had participates from all over Colorado’s Front Range that also included families travelling as far as Kansas and California to participates in this years juniors event.

 

The handicapped 9-ball tournament was packed-full of exciting matches as each of the participants was anxious to win the title and the Jacoby Custom cue grand prize.  Colorado’s own 10-year-old Jerry Miller lost a tough match on the winner’s side and marched his way-winning notable matches against Kyleigh Weston (CO) and Dylan Harmon (KS) to make it to the finals. 

 

Being a true double elimination tournament, little Jerry would have had to win twice against hot-seat match winner Nathan Diederich from CA. Jerry quickly won the first match with a score of 3-1.  The second set, had the crowd on the edge of their seats as the close match closed with determined Nathan winning the final match 7-5 and becoming this years state champ! 

 

14-year-old Nathan Diederrich, from Victorville, CA, has proven he is already among some of the best young upcoming pool players in U.S. as he also finished 4th in this years BEF Junior Nationals 14-under division. 

 

Between the semi-finals and the finals, pros Mark Haddad from Colorado and Ohio’s Danny “The Shredder” Smith donated their time to perform a trick shot show, challenge matches and played a mini-grudge match to entertain the kids. 

 

A special thanks to Match-Ups pool hall owners Nicole and Mike Hellmer for hosting this years event, Danny and Mark for encouraging and taking out time for the kids, Dr. Dave Alciatore for stopping by to watch and donated DVD’s to the kids, WPBA touring pro Melissa Little for donating $700 worth of future private lessons, baking cupcakes, organizing and running this fantastic event, Jacoby Custom Cues for donating every year’s grand prize, Qzetta.com for all the gift bag donations and an extra special thanks to ALL of the kids who participated in this years event!! 

 

Other notable past Colorado State Champions

2005 Zack Winter – Denver, CO

2006 DJ Martinez – Pueblo, CO

2007 Nicole Keeney – Englewood, CO

2008 James Fortin – Denver, CO

2009 Malek Haj Hussein – Colorado Springs, CO

2010 Ricky Smiley – Colorado Springs, CO

2011 Nick Weston – Greeley, CO

2012 Randy Rodriguez – Cheyenne, WY

 

2013 RESULTS

1st place Nathan Diederrich (14)– Victorville, CA 

Wins the Jacoby custom cue, trophy, gift bag, Dr. Dave DVD, signed t-shirt and private pool lesson package with “the Viper”. 

 

2nd place Jerry Miller (10) – Evans, CO

Wins donated cue, trophy, gift bag, highest 15-under award, DVD signed t-shirt and lesson. 

 

3rd place Dylan Harmon (18) – Wichita, KS

Wins trophy, gift bag, DVD signed t-shirt and lesson. 

 

4th place Kyleigh Weston (18) – Windsor, CO

Wins highest finishing female award, special gift bag, signed t-shirt and lesson. 

 

ALL the kids won additional gift bags!!! 

 

Tournament director and creator of this prestigious juniors event is WPBA touring professional Melissa Little. “This year will be the 1st time it is not hosted in downtown Denver and instead will continue forward each year in a new venue. I am excited to have the opportunity to host this event up north at Match-Up Billiards located at 625 S Mason Street, Fort Collins, Colorado and give the youth in neighboring states, like Wyoming, a better opportunity to participate.” says Little.

 

The youth event is open to any junior between the ages of 7-18 and will be handicapped by age groups. Doors will open at Match-Ups at 9 am and play will begin promptly at 10 am, $15 entry fee, double elimination, and participants will play 9-ball on the 9 ft. tables. Lots of prizes will be awarded to the kids throughout the event. 

 

Other notable past Colorado State Champions are 2005 Zack Winter from Denver, CO., 2006 DJ Martinez from Pueblo, CO, 2007 Nicole Keeney from Englewood, CO., 2008 James Fortin from Denver, CO., 2009 Malek Haj Hussein from Colorado Springs, CO., 2010 Ricky Smiley from Colorado Springs, CO., 2011 Nick Weston from Greeley, CO., and last years winner was Randy Rodriguez from Cheyenne, WY. 

 

Melissa Little would like to send out a special “Thanks” to long-time sponsors and supporter of the state championships Jacoby Custom Cues, Nicole and Mike Hellmer owners of Match-Ups Pool Hall and the new gift bag sponsor www.qzetta.com. Melissa created her “Viper Juniors Program” back in 2004 and continues to support kids playing pool. She is also the creator of other programs like her Viper Kids Boot Camps, junior pool leagues, open clinics and her popular after school program.

 

For more information, photos, results and future events please visit www.melissalittle.com.