The Association of College Unions International will be hosting its Collegiate 9-Ball Championships, June 10–12 at Arizona State University. The annual competition will bring together 27 men and 10 women competitors from 19 institutions who qualified at preliminary tournaments hosted by ACUI and partnering schools, ranging from Tempe, Ariz. to State College, Pa. The tournament will award scholarships to the top three finishers ($1,000, $500, and $250) in each division and crown the 2016 ACUI Collegiate 9-Ball champions.
Men's Division
Ryan Franklin – Arizona State University Cameron Boesch – Arizona State University
Christopher Pineres – Florida International University Michael Landa – Florida International University
Daniel Satinoff – Florida International University Haiqi Wen – Georgia Institute of Technology Jay Howell – Georgia Institute of Technology Eric Huntemann – Lindenwood University Tanner Nickels – Lindenwood University Sharik Sayed – Lindenwood University Brett Snowden – Lindenwood University Sean Sommers – Lindenwood University
Braxton Coleman – Radford University Dioblo Smith – Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
Stephen Wyatt – University of Central Missouri Ben Keeper – University of Delaware Steven Strohmier – University of Maryland Eric Yoo – University of Maryland Walter Teng – University of Maryland
Giorgi Kverndaze – University of Utah Ali Irfan – University of Utah Wilson Dorsey – University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Neight Mindham – University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Scott Maloney – University of Wyoming Logan Hawkins – University of North Carolina – Charlotte Wilburt Cronin – West Virginia University Ian Lake – West Virginia University
Women's Division
Brenda Bares – Florida International University
Cristina Perez – Florida International University Megan Walker – James Madison University Carly Fristoe – Lindenwood University Briana Miller – Lindenwood University Kelly Zahn – Lindenwood University Taylor Reynolds – Lindenwood University Kayla Jacobs – University of North Carolina – Pembroke Jessica Anders – University of Wyoming
Ye Feng – University of Wyoming
For the first time, livestream audio and visual to the championship event will be available. Throughout the weekend, the tournament will be livestreaming in two locations, showcasing both the men’s and women’s matches. Also, during the event, AZBilliards will be providing live brackets on their site.
For more information about the event and ACUI’s billiards program, please contact Recreation and Leisure Activities Coordinator Adrena May at mayad@acui.org or the 9-Ball Director Ben Litvak at blitvak@radford.edu.
The European Youth squad with the Youth Sports Director Sandra Hanf (GER) as their leader and Piotr Kedzior (POL) as support is currently trying to repeat their outstanding results from last year.
The divisions are Under 17’s, Under 19’s and Girls. There are 24 players participating in each division, representing a total of 28 nations
Under 19’s
Joshua Filler (GER) had a walk over in his first round. He then got the better of Samuel Hui Sim/Zhong (SIN) with 9:4. The balls were rolling in his favor in that match. His teammate and fellow countryman Raphael Wahl (GER) had a perfect start with a 9:1 victory over Nasie Kotze (RSA). In the second round, Wahl met Liu Hao Wei (TPE). The match was really close and a tough fight for both players. After 14 racks, the score was tied at 7:7. Then Liu managed to get the upper hand and win the match with 9:7. That brought Wahl to the loser’s side of the bracket. Patrick Statkiewicz (POL) lost his opening match to strong American Nick Evans (USA) with 8:9. The Polish lad was already on the hill with 8:6 when he overcoat an 8-ball. That gave second life to Evans. He came back, and at 8:8 he recovered from a tough safety position, winning the match with the closest result possible. Pius Labutis (LIT) drew Kim Su Ung (KOR) in his first round match. The match was completely leveled and Labutis had the luckier end with 9:8 on his side. The player from Lithuania also won his second match over local player Wen Wu (CHN) with 9:6 and will try – just like Filler – to make it into the quarter-finals.
Under 17’s
Maxim Dudanets (RUS), Daniel Maciol (POL) and Cyriel Ledoux (NED) had a walk-over in their first round match. Then, Maciol won over Nick Evans (USA) 7:5. Dudanets took down YIP King Ning Leo (HKG) 7:4 while Ledoux wrestled down Kong Dejing (CHN) with 7:5 after having trailed already 2:4 in that match. Sanjin Pehlivanovic (BIH) forfeited his first round match. He will now face YIP King Ning Leo in the loser’s round. Dudanets, Maciol and Ledoux are right on track and play for the quarter-finals today.
Girls
Nataliya Seroshtan (RUS) was seeded Nr.1 in the girls division, being the defending World Champion. After a walk-over in the first round, she clearly dominated Kim Bo Geon (KOR) with 7:3. Kamila Khodjaeva (BEL) had a close encounter with Liu Yuchen (CHN) and the match was pretty even until a score of 4:4 was on the boards. Then, Liu started committing mistakes and Khodjaeva punished her for it, winning the match with 7:4. Kristina Tkach (RUS) crushed Taylor Reynolds (USA) in the first round with 7:1. Then she met last year’s runner-up Yuki Hiraguchi (JPN). After a long fight, Tkach had to give in to the strong Japanese, losing 4:7 in the end. Marharyta Fefilava (BLR) met Chezka Luy Centeno (PHI) in the first round. The match was dominated by safety play and Marharyta did not achieve to come up with safeties which were good enough to put her opponent into danger. The filipina won the match with 7:5. Fefilava lost the match without any missed shot. Her safety play was simply not good enough and she left chances for her opponent. Today, Feilava will have another chance on the loser’s side against Kayla Roll-on (USA).
CueSports International, Henderson, Nevada (September 30, 2014) – The USA Pool League (USAPL) is proud to announce that it is sponsoring Karen Corr as the coach of the USA team at the upcoming WPA Junior World Championships. This esteemed event will be held in Shanghai, China November 14-19, 2014.
Nine of the USA’s most talented junior players qualified for the prestigious world event with high finishes in the 2014 Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) Junior National 9-Ball Championships held June 24-27 in Louisville, KY. The following players will proudly represent USA:
Nick Evans, 17 (St. Peters, MI) Manny Perez, 16 (Kansas City, KS) Devin Poteet, 17 (Cape Girardeau, MO) Taylor Reynolds, 16 (Winslow, Maine) Rachel Lang, 16 (Catskill, NY) Ricky Evans, 13 (St. Peters, MO) Samuel Hoffman, 14 (Hillsborough, NJ) April Larson, 13 (Bloomington, MN) Michelle Jiang, 13 (Harvard, MA)
Corr, a 2012 BCA Hall of Fame inductee, has won nearly every major women’s title available and routinely competes in various open events with a high degree of success. She has won 15 Classic Tour titles, four BCA Open titles, three WPBA National Championships, and three Tournament of Champions titles. She has won numerous international and regional events and was runner-up twice at the WPA World 9-Ball Championships.
The USAPL is honored to assist the USA junior players by sponsoring a first-class coach to tutor and guide them along their journey. We are confident that this will provide them with learning experiences of a lifetime.
The USAPL is a division of CueSports International (CSI). For players, it is free to join, a minimum of 50% of league fees are returned to the players, and approximately 10-12% of its members earn the right to participate in the USAPL National Championships. For League Managers, protected regions are free and they are supported 100% by the national office staff. Anyone interested in joining the USAPL or starting a league, should contact the national office at (866) USA-POOL or (702) 719-7665.
This year’s Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) Junior National 9-Ball Championships qualified nine billiard student-athletes to represent North America as part of Team USA at the upcoming WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) Junior 9-Ball Championships. The esteemed world event will be held in Shanghai, China November 14-19, 2014.
Through the support of the Billiard Congress of America, the BEF continues to coordinate international travel and participation for this tournament for the past two decades.
The following players will proudly represent our country this year:
“I'm so excited! It's such an honor to represent the US in the junior world championships. I'm going to practice, practice, practice (the list goes on…), focus on my game and do my best when November rolls around.”
Michelle Jiang
“I am beyond excited to be going to China to represent the United States. I have been keeping busy with fundraising and practicing as much as possible. I have a series of drills that I do for at least two hours a day.”
Rachel Lang
“I’m currently working with David Matlock on furthering my game to the next level! I also practicing at home at least 2-3 hours a day. I feel really good about the upcoming World Championships!”
Manny Perez
"I am super pumped about worlds. My life is going to consist of practice until then."
April Larson
“I am very excited for the world junior championships. I’ve been preparing for the World Championships by allocating more time to pool. I’m practicing more drills to improve my cue ball control and fundamentals and playing in more tournaments to gain experience,”
Samuel Hoffman
Also part of the North American Team are Canadian players: Nicholas Ridley, 16 (St. Thomas, ONT), Stuart MacTaggart, 17 (London, ONT), and Kayla Roloson, 17 (Springfield, ONT).
For more information on the BEF Junior Nationals or hosting qualifiers or a State Championship, visit the BEF website at billiardeducation.org.
The 21st Annual Junior Artistic Pool Championships was held June 24-26, 2014 alongside the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) Junior National 9-Ball Championships and BCA Summit at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Taking top honors this year were three returning champions: Garrett Kinney in the 18 & Under Boys division, Rachel Lang in the 18 & Under Girls division, and Emily Herpel in the 14 & Under Girls division. While newcomer Devan Stagner claimed the 14 & Under Boys division.
A personal note from Mark Dimick, this year’s event director (in the absence of “Dr. Cue” Tom & “Ms. Cue” Marty Rossman): Congratulations to all of the 21st Annual Junior Artistic Pool Champion players! I had the privilege to direct the BCA/BEF Junior National Artistic Pool Championship competition on June 24th-27th in Louisville, Ky. I enjoyed meeting all of the young players and their families. This last week was a lot of fun. I would like to thank Samm Diep-Vidal and the BEF along with Tom “Dr. Cue and Marty “Ms. Cue” Rossman for inviting me to be this year’s Artistic Pool tournament director. A special thanks goes to Tammy Jo and Mel Leonard, Earl Munson, and the other staff members.
Special Thanks go to Mark Dimick for his assistance in making this year’s event possible, and to this year’s Premier Sponsors: Predator/Poison Cues, Diamond Billiard Products, Simonis Cloth, and Aramith Balls.
Any young players interested in participating in next year’s BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships, Junior Artistic Pool Championships or State Championships should visit the BEF website at BilliardEducation.org or call the office at (303) 926-1039.
Ricky Evans, Taylor Reynolds, Nick Evans and April Larson (Photo courtesy of Ricky Bryant)
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) wrapped up its 26th Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships June 24-27, 2014. 79 billiard student-athletes represented 21 states at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky for this year’s event which took place in conjunction with the Billiard Congress of America 2014 Summit.
The winners from each of the four age divisions received academic scholarships, engraved trophies, Poison player equipment packages, Falcon cue and case packages, Dr. Dave Billiard University packages, and more. Along with their victories, they also earned entries into the 2014 WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships in Shanghai, China November 15-19.
History was made this year!
For the first time of the BEF Junior Nationals, two brothers both won their respective age divisions with matching final scores of 9-6! St. Peters, Missouri’s 17-year-old Nick Evans and his 13-year-old brother Ricky Evans both went undefeated through their brackets to take home the gold. Older brother Nick finished in the top 12 of last year’s World Junior Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa and both will represent the U.S. this year.
On the girls’ side, 17-year-old Taylor Reynolds of Winslow, Maine also went undefeated beating Rachel Lang from New York in the finals. Reynolds is no stranger to the finals arena with several runner-up trophies and a couple trips to the Junior Worlds. She was also the 2011 14 & Under Girls division champion.
14-year-old April Larson from Bloomington, Minnesota took home her third consecutive title as 14 & Under Girls division champion. Though she struggled in the end, she was still able to pull out a 9-6 victory against Michelle Jiang of Harvard, Mass who had her best showing yet at nationals. Larson will enter her first year in the 18 & Under Girls division next year.
25 billiard student-athletes with GPAs of 3.5 or higher were recognized at the event’s banquet as this year’s BEF Academic All-Americans. Banquet guests were also treated with special guest speaker Jeanette Lee, “The Black Widow.”
This year’s event polo shirts were also sponsored by Falcon Cues and Presidential Billiards. Goody bags were also presented to each participant which included items sponsored by Lava Chalk, Pool & Billiard magazine, PoolDawg.com, Meullers Recreational Products, Fury Cues, Aramith, Simonis, Tweeten Fibre, and the BEF.
Great appreciation go to the event staff and volunteers who have made this a first class event year after year: longtime tournament director Earl Munson, tournament & event assistant Tammy Jo Leonard and her husband Mel, longtime National Head Referee Rick Doner, referees Justin Ballou and Seneca McIntosh, Linda McIntosh, and “Dr. Popper” Mark Dimick for conducting the Jr. Artistic Pool event, banquet emcees (& BEF board members) Shari Stauch & Tom Riccobene
As always, the BEF recognizes its loyal media sponsors: AzBilliards.com, Billiards Digest, InsidePool, Pool&Billiard, Professor Q-Ball, NYCGrind.com, Cue Times Billiard News, and On The Break News. Special thanks also go to Rob Johnson, Shane Tyree, Brian Glasglow, and all the staff involved with organizing this year’s Summit.
Any young players interested in participating in next year’s BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships or State Championships should visit the BEF website at BilliardEducation.org or call the office at (303) 926-1039.
November 12, 2013 (Englewood, CO): Through the recent BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships, the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) has qualified seven junior billiard athletes to represent North America as part of Team USA at the upcoming WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) World Junior 9-Ball Championships. This year’s prestigious event will be held at the Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa December 8-12, 2014.
Through the support of the Billiard Congress of America, the BEF has coordinating international travel and participation for this world tournament for over two decades. The following players will proudly represent our country this year:
Tyler Styer, age 18 (Big Bend, WI)
Brendan Crockett, age 18 (Bell Canyon, CA)
Joey Bourgeois, Jr., age 14 (Bayown, TX)
April Larson, age 13 (Bloomington, MN)
Team coach, accompanying this year’s student-athletes is longtime BEF supporter and PBIA certified instructor, Earl Munson (B.E.T.T.E.R. Play Billiards, http://www.betterplaybilliards.org/). For nearly a decade, Munson has been actively involved in youth billiards as the official tournament director for the BEF Junior Nationals. He started and organizes successful high school billiard programs in the Dallas area.
For more information on the BEF Junior Nationals or hosting qualifiers or a State Championship, visit the BEF website at billiardeducation.org.
The Billiard Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that produces the annual Junior National Championships, provides scholarships for young players, sends junior players to the World Junior Championships and promotes Pool in School programs to encourage lifelong participants.
