Omega Billiards 2016 ACS National Championships Enjoys Another Growth Spurt
American Cuesports Alliance: “The tantalizing allure of many events in which to play throughout a week of pool camaraderie and great dates convenient to most independent leagues at the end of their seasonal league play fueled a 10% jump in entries at the 12th edition of the Omega Billiards ACS National Championships, produced by the American CueSports Alliance (ACS), May 7-14, 2016.
“Action began with 9-ball and 8-ball Singles and Scotch Doubles play, as Darrel Fredrickson (Duluth, MN) outpaced the Men’s 9-Ball Singles field in this handicapped format to march undefeated to the title match – outdueling his final’s higher-rated opponent Bill Duggan (Virginia Beach, VA) for the crown. On the Women’s 9-Ball Singles side, Gina Quinones (Las Vegas, NV) claimed the hot seat and then took advantage of a one-game spot to overcome the powerful game of Tara Williams (Fort Worth, TX) for the laurels. The Advanced 8-Ball Scotch Doubles championship was claimed by the power duo of Dustin Gunia & Jessica Frideres (NE/IA) over finalists Larry Eans & Bernie Store (AZ). Jason Osborn & Danielle Roberts (NV) double-dipped Gord & Gail Gee (AB, CAN) in the finals for the top Open 8-Ball Scotch Doubles award!
“Awards were claimed in nine different divisions of 8-Ball Singles. Among the top skill brackets, undefeated Dustin Gunia (Omaha, NE) outpaced young Mike Robinson (Calgary, AB) for the Men’s Advanced 8-Ball Singles title; defending champ Bernie Store (Phoenix, AZ) double-dipped Tara Williams (Fort Worth, TX) for the Women’s Advanced 8-Ball Singles crown; while Tim Pidborochynski (Edmonton, AB) defeated Scott Knack (Circle Pines, MN) two sets in the finals for the Men’s Open 8-Ball Singles laurels, and Janine Robinson (Bullhead City, AZ) remained undefeated in outpointing her final’s opponent Trina Blackman (Cold Lake, AB) for the Women’s Open 8-Ball Singles title. Teammates James Wiebe (Edmonton, AB) and Nigel Darius (Edmonton, AB) wrestled for the Men’s Standard 8-Ball Singles crown, with undefeated Wiebe emerging victorious, while Paula Branton (Hamilton, ON) – after many years of trying – finally claimed a national championship with a two-sets finals win over Mandy Lay (McAlester,OK) in the Women’s Standard 8-Ball Singles division. In the aged divisions, Ian Joyce (White Lake, MI) fell one set short of defending his Men’s Senior 8-Ball Singles (55+) title, falling in the deciding set to Steve Hansen (Dallas, TX); defending champion Linda Asleson (Billings, MT) recovered from a winner’s bracket final’s loss to Lynn McGarry (Grand Forks, ND) to avenge her results against McGarry in two sets for her third straight Women’s Senior 8-Ball Singles (50+) crown! Roy Skenandore (Green Bay, WI), a past Super Senior 8-Ball Singles (65+) champion, almost claimed another national title, but was overtaken in two sets by new winner, Bill Mason (Virginia Beach, VA),for the top award!
“The latter portions of the week showcased 3-person 9-ball Team divisions each morning and 4/5-person 8-ball Team competitions each afternoon and evening. Five 9-ball divisions – each based on team skill levels assigned to their respective division – featured: 1). Men’s/Mixed Advanced 9-Ball Team play ending with undefeated Dick’s Pick (NV) [Donny Branson, Dave Datillo, Mike Hutcheson and Chris Akey] outpointing Gotta Have It (NE) [Jerrod Frideres, Jessica Frideres and Dustin Gunia[ for the Championship; 2). Women’s Advanced 9-Ball Team finals having undefeated The Force (NV) [Katy Moore, Gina Quinones, Christina Gonzalez and Debra Aarens] remaining so with a one-set victory over Pure Instinct (VA) [Barbara Yeager, Jacki Duggan and Angie Rowe]; 3). Hammertime (AB, CAN) [Davyn Arscott, Wentzel Blair and Thomas Joyce] double-dipping Forced Kin (AB, CAN) [James Blackman, Nigel Darius, James Wiebe and Lucas Mattice] for the Men’s/Mixed Open 9-Ball Team title; 4). The Triad (VA) [Connie Eddins, Mary Davis, Chrissy Banks and Iris Cabatit] taking out Handle It (CA) [Cony Mendoza, Annette Wood, Shawn Modelo, Holly Robinson and Stacy Wilson] in one set for the Women’s Open 9-Ball Team crown; and 5). PA Misfitz x 2 (PA) [Jeff Hawn, Don Sheldon, Ralph Creamer and Ryan Keeney] outlasting Rack ‘Em (VA) [Gene Hill, Kenny Oakey, Raul Dacumos and Steve Jeffries] in two sets for the Men’s/Mixed Standard 9-Ball Team honors!
“Six 8-ball divisions – each based on team skill levels assigned to their respective division – featured: 1). Brass Bell (VA) [Dave Perry, Harry Kernodle, Richie Price, Sean O’Neil, Joe Wood and Tom Czaplicki] remained undefeated in the triple-elimination format to outlast Dick’s Pick (NV) [Greg Kuhl, Donny Branson, Chris Akey, Lyn Wechsler, Jason Kane and Amy Kane] for the Men’s/Mixed Advanced 8-Ball Teams championship; 2). defending champion Al’s Hideout (WI) [Judy Ninke, Katrina Lyman, Chris Holl and Kelly Nickl] took the undefeated route in claiming the Women’s Advanced 8-Ball Teams title over The Force (NV) [Christina Gonzalez, Christina Jeff, Debra Aarens, Gina Quinones, Katy Moore and Pamela Fletcher]; 3). Senior Discount (MN) [Scott Knack, Doug Callahan, James Coffey, Scott Leffring and Tom Anderson] double-dipping The Awakening (AB, CAN) for the Men’s/Mixed Open 8-Ball Teams laurels; 4). two Texas teams vying for the Women’s Open 8-Ball Teams crown, with Strokers Ladies [Christine Avila, Connie Featherston, Esther Castaneda, Jeannette Martinez and Yvette Villarreal] out shooting We Ain’t Skeered (NV) [Connie Svoboda, Janey Ybarra, Sandy Harrington and Teri Bridwell] in one set; 5). Comrades (GA) [Tom Zack, Omead Sepehrara, Thomas Morgan, Erwin Elhan, Ron Deemer and Kevin Pangayow] grasping the Men’s/Mixed Standard 8-Ball Teams honors from 3 Shades of Grey (VA) [Evan Chenevert, Kirk Densmore, Mark Dancel, Mark Spangler, Ray Reyna and Thomas Darawan] in one set; and 6). Snap Shotz (CA) [Dollie Thomas, Jackie Akins, Tonya Green, Valerie Porter and Barbara Ivey] closing out its tournament magically by winning the deciding game of the deciding set over LV Cue Club Aloha Team (NV) [Celeste Smith, Christy Lipps, Danielle Roberts, Joy Hutcheson, Marilyn Kameahola and Sharon Gottschalk] for Women’s Standard 8-Ball Teams title.
“The ACS wishes to thank its main sponsor, Omega Billiards, and its very popular host venue, the Tropicana Las Vegas, and we look forward to hosting the Omega Billiards 2017 ACS Nationals at the Tropicana Las Vegas, in May 13-20! Any pool league is qualified to sanction with ACS. For more information on sanctioning or dual-sanctioning your league with the ACS ($10/player annual sanction fee), contact the ACS at [email protected] or 920-662-1705.
The ACS is a non-profit, national organization dedicated to heightening the interest and awareness of cue sports through the support and sanctioning of organized competition throughout the United States and North America.
Further news on ACS activity is available at www.americancuesports.org