Josh Burbul, Sergio Rivas and Jonathan Strzezewski
Josh Burbul traveled a long way–on the road and through the bracket–to claim his $1,000 paid entry to the 2020 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships. Driving from Eagen, Minnesota, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Burbul competed in the North Central Pool Tour’s final stop of the year at Romine’s High Pockets. The event was part of the U.S. Open Global Qualifying Series from Matchroom Multisport.
In his first match, Burbul lost 7-2 to Tyler Styer, fresh off a team win for the Mosconi Cup. But Burbul regrouped and cruised undefeated through the B-side. He notched wins over tough players like Pablo Diaz (6-2), Mark Berry (6-4), Andrew Mackey (6-2), and Wilson Dorsey (6-0). He even faced Tyler Styer again, making a 9 on the break in the last game to advance.
In the finals, Burbul faced undefeated Sergio Rivas. Rivas had put on quite a show with his stellar play. But the final race proved to be a battle. Both players traded wins for most of the set, keeping the score tight. In the hill-hill game, Rivas broke dry. He returned to the table, though, after Burbul missed a safety on the 1 ball. Unfortunately, Rivas gave up the out when he miscalculated a shot on the 6 ball, handing Burbul the final game.
The NCPT’s 10th stop included 32 players from the region. You can watch streamed matches by RailbirdsTV on NCPTplay.com.
The NCPT’s first stop of 2020 will be another U.S. Open qualifier. It will be held on Saturday, January 18, at Chris’s Billiards in Chicago–known for its cameo in the Color of Money. Visit NCPTplay.com to register.
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.
