After 48 hours of fierce, spirited competition, the 2009 ACUI 9-ball Championships are officially in the history books at Illinois State University! Fifty-three students representing 41 schools across the United States participated in this annual championship, dating back to 1937.
The Women's division saw Shari Cui from the University of Illinois Chicago complete an undefeated run for the win. She was never really tested in her early matches and she dominated Karla Yates (Morgan State University) in the finals 11-3.
Meanwhile, the Men's division saw Adam Maloney from Texas A&M University come back from the one loss side to avenge his hot-seat match loss to Lars Vardaman from Southern Illinois University and keep Vardaman from his goal of four ACUI titles. Maloney lost to Vardaman for the hot-seat, but came back and beat a red-hot Sam Gilmer (Mississippi State University) on the left side of the board to earn his rematch with Vardaman in the finals. The final match was close, but Maloney nosed ahead for the 13-9 win.
Women's Final standings:
1st Shari Cui, University of Illinois Chicago
2nd Karla Yates, Morgan State University
3rd Stephanie Sevigny North Dakota State University
4th Kris Landry Fitchburg State College
Men's Final standings:
1st Adam Maloney, Texas A&M University
2nd Lars Vardaman, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
3rd Sam Gilmer, Mississippi State University
4th Grant Moller, University of Maryland
Prize package for both Men's and Women's divisions:
1st place $1000 Ozone Billiards tuition scholarship + free entry in 2010 (if eligible)
2nd place $500 Ozone scholarship
3rd place $250 Ozone scholarship
4th place $100 Ozone scholarship
Break Competition
Men's Varun Raheja, University of Houston
Women's Cindy Ho, Sacramento State University
Sportsmanship Award (by peer vote)
Men's Quentin Weir, University of Michigan
Women's Cindy Ho, Sacramento State University
ACUI Crowns New Champs
July 24, 2009