Player Interview: Karen Armstrong
Armstrong Dominates the Women’s Division
Karen Armstrong came to her first U.S. Amateur Championship with a goal – to win the event and advance to a WPBA event in 2006. By late Sunday evening, Armstrong was able to check that goal off her task list. Armstrong defeated Amy Poulter 9-5 in the finals of the Women’s Division.
Armstrong, who plays as a skill level 7-player in Delaware, jumped out to an early 6-0 lead on Poulter in the 8-Ball set. But a couple of breaks and some lucky rolls later and Poulter was back in the match, trailing by only 2 games – 7-5. But Armstrong showed great determination by mentally overcoming the temporary setback, and finished Poulter off by winning the next two games.
“You have to feel you are the better player, and it takes years of mental conditioning to be able to overcome those kinds of circumstances in a match. You can’t be upset at unlucky breaks during a match. If you overcome your opponent’s lucky breaks, you’ll be a better player,” said Armstrong.
The two had met earlier in the day with Armstrong defeating Poulter 5-2. Poulter managed a victory over Laura Poskus to earn a rematch, but Armstrong would not be denied. Poskus would finish 3rd.
Armstrong moves on to compete in a WPBA event of her choice in 2006 and will automatically return next year to defend her title. After the match, Armstrong showed an emotional side while discussing some of the obstacles she’s overcome in her personal life.
“There’s been a lot for me to overcome in my life with my disability – it’s hard for me to even use that term for myself – and it takes a lot every day just to get by. I’ve used billiards to help me rehabilitate,” said Armstrong with tears in her eyes, but determination in voice.
In 1993 Armstrong was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident and suffered open compound factures in both legs, shattered her pelvis and right arm and had to have her hip fused at a 45-degree angle. Armstrong started playing pool again in a wheelchair for about a year after spending nine months in a hospital shock trauma unit.
“I have a lot of compassion for people with disabilities and I know what it’s like to have people look at you differently, so this means a lot to me and I hope I’m an inspiration to others. Without pool I don’t know if I’d be walking today” said Armstrong.
© 2005, American Poolplayers Association