Success at Inaugural Illinois Junior State 10-Ball Championships
Success at Inaugural Illinois Junior State 10-Ball Championships
Story by David Carr. Photos Courtesy of Roger Garnsey.
May 10, 2016 (Denver, CO): On April 2-3, 44 youth billiard student-athletes representing Illinois, Missouri and Iowa made their appearance at Starship Billiards in Decatur, IL for a fun-filled weekend of pool at the first ever Illinois Junior State 10-Ball Championships.
The ladies divisions were combined. In the 14 and Under Girls, Sarah Tate finished in 1st place and received a paid entry to the Nationals, a trophy and a new cue. Christian Kogel won a paid entry and a 2nd place trophy.
The 18 and Under Girls division saw Serena Black go undefeated all day to beat Katelin Ballou in a spirited finals match. Katlin Schilling, who had two “nail-biter” hill/hill matches against the eventual 1st and 2nd place winners, finished 3rd and Megan Thomas was 4th. Both Serena and Katlin Schilling had previously earned paid entries, so a paid entry went to Katelin Ballou and Megan Thomas also received the paid entry to the Nationals.
In the 14 and Under Boys, Koty Lovell finished a very strong day’s performance with a win over Keith McKuin to secure a paid entry to the Nationals, a 1st place trophy and new cue. By virtue of Keith McKuin’s prior qualification, the paid entry was awarded to 3rd place finisher, Joey Tate.
In a most fitting scene to end the evening, the 18 and Under Boys division went to a double hill conclusion that saw Timmy Bly outlast Brandon Grimes. Timmy certainly earned his paid entry, 1st place trophy and new cue as did Brandon for his 2nd place trophy and paid National entry in what was arguably the most exciting match of a long tournament day.
Quality pool events like this State Championship always rest on the backs of sponsors and volunteers. Special thanks are due to the 2 primary sponsors, Starship Billiards and Kim Jones, Central Illinois APA Leagues as well as a large number of folks who volunteered their time and experience. Among them were Jerry Brown who served as Tournament Director, Tom Fankhauser, a nationally qualified referee who was the Chief Referee, Leslie and Mike Adams, Terry Beer, Heather Hunter, Bill Pickerill, also a super pool enthusiast locally who has been instrumental in all things billiard, especially those youth related ones, a number of junior players and others. A special thanks also to Roger Garnsey, who shared freely of his time and advice throughout the event.
18 & Under Boys Division
1st Place-Timmy Bly, age 17 Decatur, IL
Trophy, Cue & Paid Entry into 2016 BEF Junior Nationals
2nd Place
Brandon Grimes, age 16 E. Peoria, IL
Trophy & Paid Entry into 2016 BEF Junior Nationals
18 & Under Girls Division
1st Place -Serena Black, age 17,Warrensburg, IL
Already qualified for Natls
2nd Place-Katelin Ballou, age 15,Granite City, IL
Already qualified for Natls
3rd Place-Katlin Schilling, age 14,Decatur, IL
Trophy, Cue & Paid Entry into 2016 BEF Junior Nationals
4th Place,Megan Thomas, age 15,Poplar Bluff, MO
Trophy & Paid Entry into 2016 BEF Junior Nationals
14 & Under Boys Division
1st Place-Koty Lovell, age 14,Poplar Bluff, MO
Trophy, Cue & Paid Entry into 2016 BEF Junior Nationals
2nd Place-Keith McKuin, age 14,Popluar Bluff, MO
Already qualified for Natls
3rd Place-Joey Tate, age 10,Lake Villa, IL
Trophy & Paid Entry into 2016 BEF Junior Nationals
14 & Under Girls Division
1st Place-Sarah Tate, age 14-Lake Villa, IL
Trophy, Cue & Paid Entry into 2016 BEF Junior Nationals
2nd Place-Christian Kogel,Decatur, IL
Trophy & Paid Entry into 2016 BEF Junior Nationals
Special Thanks to David Carr and his staff of volunteers for making this event possible!
The BEF is grateful for the continued support of its premier sponsors for helping to make the 2016 Junior State Championships (JSC) program possible: Simonis Cloth, Aramith Balls, Pechauer Cues, BRAD Scuffer and Tweeten Fibre. Special Thanks also goes to all the national tournament directors and hosts.
For more information on sponsoring, hosting, or participating in a Junior State Championship, visit billiardeducation.org or call (303) 926-1039. Complete list of nationwide junior events listed here: http://billiardeducation.org/events/
About the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF)
The BEF was formed in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity committed to promoting a lifelong love of pool and building the next generation of players through youth programs and academic scholarships. Visit billiardeducation.org or call (303) 926-1039 to learn more about junior billiard programs in your area.
