Nebraska State Invitational Crowns Winners

Three more stops on the 2007/2008 Pechauer All American Tour (produced by the American CueSports Alliance – ACS) were hosted at Fort Crook Billiards in Bellevue, NE, on the weekend of January 18-20 – the “Nebraska State Invitational.” The $900 added event drew twenty-two men in the 9-Ball, fourteen in the Men's 8-Ball and six in the Women's 8-Ball, each division competing in a double-elimination format on 7-foot bar boxes. In the 9-Ball division Brad Florian (Omaha, NE) ran undefeated to the finals. In the hot-seat match, Florian bested Dustin Gunia (Omaha, NE). Earlier in the A-bracket semi-finals, Florian turned back Pedro Castro (Omaha, NE), while Gunia defeated Larry Walker (Omaha, NE). In the B-side quarterfinals Larry Walker eliminated Jamie Kobylasz (Omaha, NE) and Pedro Castro ousted Zack Willis (Omaha, NE) – both losers placing 5-6th. In the semifinals, Walker ended Castro's run at 4th place, and Gunia then ended Walker's day at 3rd place. The tourney finals featured once-defeated Dustin Gunia versus undefeated Brad Florian, with Gunia having to win two sets to claim the title. Gunia was up to the task, as he won both sets to claim the event championship!

The Women's 8-Ball division witnessed Becky Anderson (Omaha, NE) marching to the hot seat with a win over Clare Marsh (Omaha, NE) in the A-side finals. In the previous A-side round, Anderson defeated Jill Nagel (Omaha, NE), while Marsh outpointed Dot Cyr (Omaha, NE). In the B-side quarterfinals, Amy Hughes eliminated Dot Cyr, and Jill Nagel ousted Teresa Krumm (Omaha, NE). Hughes then knocked Nagel into 4th place. In the B-side finals Clare Marsh ended Amy Hughes' run. The title match went to one set, as Becky Anderson took out Clare Marsh in the first set for the event title!

The Men's 8-Ball division saw Pedro Castro (Omaha, NE) march to the hot seat with a win over Noe Solis (Omaha, NE) in the A-side finals. In the previous A-side round, Castro defeated Dustin Gunia (Omaha, NE), while Solis out stroked Zack Willis (Omaha, NE). In the B-side quarterfinals, Zack Willis eliminated Mel Marsh (Omaha, NE), and Dustin Gunia ousted Luke Westcott (Omaha, NE). Willis then knocked Gunia into 4th place. In the B-side finals Zack Willis ended Noe Solis' run. The title match went two sets, as once-defeated Zack Willis took out undefeated Padro Castro in both sets for the event title!


By virtue of Dustin Gunia, Becky Anderson and Zack Willis being the highest-finishing ACS members in their divisions, each qualified for a free 9-ball singles entry into the 2008 ACS Nationals in Las Vegas – courtesy of the ACS. The ACS wishes to thank sponsors J. Pechauer Custom Cues, Championship Billiard Fabric and Nick Varner Signature Cases for their support in donating “Value-In-Kind” product for this and all stops on the Pechauer All American Tour. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2007/2008 All American Tour by contacting the ACS.

The Tour continues February 2 with a $500 added 9-ball event at Leisure Time Billiards in E. Moline, IL (contact Dwaine Bowman at 309-752-9559) !!! Further information, entry details and schedules for the 2007/2008 Pechauer All American Tour are available at www.americancuesports.org.