Michigan Junior State 9-Ball Champions Crowned  –  Story & Photos by Carol LaRatta, tournament director.

group-photoOn February 20, 2016 we had our first Michigan State BEF Junior 9-Ball Championships at Campus Q Billiards in Benton Harbor, Michigan. We had 30 Juniors show up to compete. These junior players ranged from 7-18 years old. They displayed great sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and dedication to the billiard sport. I’m honored to have met everyone of them and watch them play.

Special thanks goes out to Campus Q Billiards for providing a venue location, Grindin Clothing Co. and Betz Sundholm with U of M for donating some awesome door prizes, Lisa & Jerry Burnham for helping run the tournament and Dave Rogers for running a mini tournament for the juniors who just weren’t ready to quit playing. Thank you all so much!!

14u-winnersIn the 14 & Under division we had 18 players. The winners were:

1st- George Kieselat
2nd- Jacob Elliott
3rd- Parker Jakubczak
4th- Serenity Mercado
5th- Kyle Kuharevicz Jr.
6th- Cameron Grady
7th- Noe Villanueva Jr.
8th- Justin Mercado
9th- Gabe Hayes
10th- Brianna LaRatta
11th- Jayer Brooks
12th- Hailey Mercado

18u-winnersIn the 18 & Under Division we had 12 players:

1st- Nicholas Ridley
2nd- Skyler Butterfiled
3rd- Brasy Paananen
4th- Selena Aranda
5th- Caleb Frame
6th- Zachary Ellis
7th- Jordan Burnham
8th- Darius Sallie
9th- Sebastian Lance
10th- Adrian Noorthoek
11th- Alyssa Little
12th- Brent Rogers

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.

Michigan Junior State 9-Ball Champions Crowned