Match Coverage

Larsen Becomes First Two-Time U.S. Amateur Women’s Champion

A serious foot injury wasn’t going to keep Tina Larsen from making U.S Amateur Championship history. Plagued for years by issues with her feet, Larsen was experiencing major pain after three days of intense competition. The pain was evident early Sunday morning in her 11am match against Michell Monk. Monk defeated Larson with ease, handing her a 5-1 loss, and sending her to the one-loss side of the bracket.

Larsen decided to seek pain relief immediately after the match. Coincidently, located next to Mr. Cues II is a nail saloon that offers high powered heated foot bathes. A few minutes of therapy did wonders for Larsen. She managed to win her next two matches before meeting Monk again in the semifinal round. This time it was Larsen handing Monk a 5-1 loss and eliminating the defending champ.

From there it was a date with hometown favorite Betty Sessions in the finals.

Larsen and Sessions traded wins the first two games of the 8-Ball set before Larsen was able to open a slight 3-1 lead. Sessions managed a win in the fifth game to pull within one. Larsen closed out the 8-Ball set with a win and a 4-2 lead.

Larsen won the first game of the 9-Ball set and appeared well on her way to victory with a 5-2 lead. But Sessions showed the kind of adversity that had secured her a 3rd Place finish last year and led her undefeated to the finals this year. She scored three consecutive wins to even the match at 5-5.

But it was Larsen’s turn to put on a clinic in adversity. With many in the local crowd rooting for Sessions, it was Larsen taking the next three games, putting her on-the-hill. Oddly, the local support seemed to almost make Sessions a bit uncomfortable in the match.

Sessions wasn’t about to give up without a fight though, winning the fourteenth game, and pulling within two.

But in the fifteenth and final game, Larsen secured the game and the match. She becomes the first two-time U.S. Amateur Women's Champion and now moves on to compete in a 2008 WPBA Classic Tour event.

Larsen is proudly sponsored by the City Pool Hall in Chicago - http://www.citypoolhall.com/.

Richko Takes Home First U.S. Amateur Championship

Based on his Sunday afternoon match with former U.S. Amateur Champion Robert Hall, a 7-3 loss that sent him to the one-loss bracket, many at Mr. Cues II in Atlanta assumed Jason Richko’s final round match with Robert Hall was just a formality. After all, Hall was the seasoned U.S. Amateur Championship veteran who had gone undefeated throughout the tournament, including his victory over Richko. So when the two met again in the finals, most figured Hall was a lock to win.

Most except for Richko and his local sponsor and friend Jose Del Rio, owner of Strokers Billiards in Florida, who came to offer his moral support.

Unfazed by his loss to Hall, Richko saved his best pool for the finals. The match began in the 8-Ball set with Hall getting on the board first. Richko quickly countered and evened the match 1-1 in the second game.

Hall continued to build a lead over Richko, winning the next two games, but Richko wasn’t backing down, again matching his counterpart with two consecutive victories of his own. The pair traded wins in the seventh and eighth games of the match, and switched to the 9-Ball set tied at four games a piece.

Once in the 9-Ball set, Richko set the tone with an outstanding break and run to take his first lead of the match. Behind his exceptional break, Richko managed to take the next four games, barely giving Hall a chance at the table. When Hall did finally make it to the table, he didn't have much to shoot at thanks to Richko's defensive play.

A missed combination shot on the 9-ball by Richko, and a miss cue in the 14th game, gave Hall the game and a glimmer of hope. After Richko failed to make a shot on the 8-ball in the 15th game, Hall again capitalized on the mistake, winning that game and the next, and cutting the deficit to two – 9-7.

Richko would simply not be denied though, winning the next game to put himself on-the-hill. Needing only one more game for the victory and the title, Richko punctuate his victory with a 9-on-the-snap.

He now moves on to compete in the 2008 U.S. Open.

Larsen Gets Revenge, Eliminates Monk

Tina Larson Hampered in their first meeting with a bum ankle, Tina Larsen headed next door to a nail saloon to use a high-powered heated foot bath for treatment. The remedy proved effective as Larsen avenged her 5-1 loss to Michell Monk earlier in the day.

In the rematch, Monk again got on the board first in the 9-Ball set. From there on out though it was all Larsen. She reeled off five straight games for a 5-1 victory. The win propels Larsen in to a final round showdown with Betty Sessions, and eliminates Monk from the tournament.

Larsen will look to secure her second U.S. Amateur Championship title, while Sessions will look to keep the trophy right here in Atlanta in front of her hometown crowd.

Monk finishes the tournament in a very respectable 3rd Place.

Hall Looks to Become Two-Time USAM Champion

Robert Hall is a fixture at the U.S. Amateur Championship, having competed in all but the first two tournaments in 1994 and 1995. However despite a solid showing each year, he’s been unable to return to the finals since winning the event in 2001. A 7-3 victory over Jason Richko this afternoon assured him a spot in the final round.

Hall took a commanding lead early on, winning the first four games in the 8-Ball set before Richko could get on the board.

With Hall leading 4-1, the players switched to 9-Ball. Hall took a 5-1 lead after winning the first game of 9-Ball. Each player would then trade victories back and forth the next four games.

The final result…a spot in the finals for Hall and a trip to the one-loss bracket for Richko. Richko will now face Gary Neal in hopes of still making it to the finals.

Sessions Punches Ticket for the Finals, Hands Monk First Loss

Betty Sessions Hometown favorite Betty Sessions has advanced to the final round of the U.S. Amateur Championship, handing defending champion Michell Monk her first loss of the tournament in the process.

Monk appeared uncharacteristically out of sync from the outset of the match, and Sessions made the most of her mistakes. Ironically, ESPN had aired footage and an interview of Monk competing in the WPBA Midwest Classic just prior to the match – her prize for winning the 2006 U.S. Amateur Championship.

The players began the match in the 8-Ball set. Both appeared timid from the outset, failing to pocket routine shots.

Sessions took a 1-0 lead winning the first game, but it appeared Monk would tie it up in the second. However, she left both the 9-ball and 11-ball hanging in opposite corner pockets. Sessions opted to play a combination shot, shooting the 8 into the 11, pocketing both balls, with the 11 dropping first. She narrowly scratched on the shot, but instead took a 2-0 lead, when the cue ball hung on the edge of the pocket.

Michell Monk Both players finally appeared to settle down in the third game. Sessions failed to sink a ball on the break. Monk followed up by failing to pocket an object ball as well. Sessions then had a six-ball run, leaving herself only the 15-ball. Monk put together a nice run of her own, but with only the 1 and 3-balls remaining, she opted to take the longer shot on the 3 and subsequently missed the shot and scratched. Sessions sank the 15 and the 8 for a sizeable 3-0 lead as the players shifted to 9-Ball.

Monk looked much more comfortable in the 9-Ball set, but continued to have trouble pocketing shots. In the fourth game, Sessions dropped the 4-ball on the break, but scratched. Monk proceeded to run five balls, but missed a shot on the 7 in the corner. She would eventually sink the 7-ball after Sessions missed her shot, but couldn’t pocket the 8. Sessions made a nice shot on the 8-ball, but left herself a tough look at the 9-ball. Sessions opted to try and play a safety, but left Monk a makeable shot. Monk then barely missed a cut shot on the 9-ball in the corner. Sessions would eventually pocket the 9 for a 4-0 lead.

After both players had issues with a tricky 4-ball in the fifth game, but Monk finally was able to get on the board with a win. She then used a 3-9 combination to cut Session’s lead in half in the sixth game.

Monk’s winning streak would come to a halt in the seventh and final game as Seesions proved too much.

Sessions advances to the final round and will face the winner of the match between Tina Larsen and Monk.

Monk Aces Tough Test

Defending champion Michell Monk and former champion Tina Larsen met first thing Sunday morning after both secured late night wins Saturday. Larsen handed Samm Diep her first tournament loss 5-4. Monk advance to her showdown with Larsen after a 5-2 victory over Lee Coffman.

Monk looked very much in championship form against Larsen – the inaugural winner of the U.S. Amateur Championship Women’s Division in 2003.

The match began in the 8-Ball set with Monk taking a commanding 3-0 lead. She made it four consecutive games by winning the first game of the 9-Ball set. Larsen avoided a shutdown by securing a win in the second game of the 9-Ball set, but Monk closed out the match 5-1 in the next game.

Monk will look to punch her ticket to the final round in her next match against hometown favorite Betty Sessions. Sessions, who finished in 3rd Place last year, defeated Shauna Kirsch of Crestview, Fla., 5-4.

Monk and Sessions are the only two competitiors yet to suffer a loss in the Women's Division. The winner will advance to the finals, while the loser will move to the one-loss side of the bracket.

Neal Ousts Men's Champion

There will be no repeat champion in the Men’s Division of the U.S. Amateur Championship this year. Defending champion Bill McCollim was ousted in an early round match with Gary Neal.

McCollim appeared well on his way to another victory with a 3-0 lead in the 9-Ball set. But Neal came right back to win three games of his own to tie the match at 3-3. The two traded wins in the final two games of the 9-Ball set and were tied 4-4 as they switched to 8-Ball.

McCollim again pulled ahead by getting on the board first. But Neal battled right back again, this time putting away the match with three straight games and a 7-5 victory.

Andrews and McCollim Stage a Rematch of ’06 Finals

Late night tournament action included a rematch of the 2006 Men’s Division final with Richard Andrews and Bill McCollim going head-to-head. The match began in the 8-Ball set with Andrews getting on the board first. McCollim answered with a win of his own before Andrews took the next two games. At the end of the 8-Ball set, Andrews led 3-2 as he looked to avenge last year’s loss.

McCollim was in his element with the switch to the 9-Ball set. He took the first three games before Andrews could counter with his first 9-Ball win. McCollim’s dominance over Andrews will continue until at least next year as he closed out the match 7-4, winning the final two games.

Up next for McCollim is an early round match-up with Gary Neal of Spartanburg, S.C.

McCollim Cruises Against Perry

Bill McCollim Defending Champion Bill McCollim seems unfazed by his 1st Round forfeit. Since his arrival Saturday morning, McCollim has gone 4-0. His latest victim was Eric Perry of Ambler, Pa.

The match opened in the 8-Ball set with Perry winning the first game. McCollim then reeled off three straight games for a 3-1 lead. Perry battled back to win the fifth and final game of 8-Ball.

Leading 3-2, McCollim went to work on Perry in the 9-Ball set. He won the first four games, and the match 7-2. McCollim moves on to face the winner of the match between George Price and Cedric Sloan.

Monk Begins Title Defense

Defending U.S. Amateur Champion Michell Monk of Palm Bay, Fla., has picked up right where she left off last year. Monk cruised through her first two rounds of competition, barely breaking a sweat in the process.

Monk opened the tournament against local favorite Lara Rossignol. The two opened the match in the 8-Ball set, and Monk quickly took a commanding 3-0 lead. Rossignol’s luck appeared to change after the match shifted to the 9-Ball set. Rossignol won the first game and three of the first four to trail by only one. Unfortunately for her Monk’s lead was too great, and she finished off Rossignol 5-3 by winning the fifth game of 9-Ball.

In her second match, Monk squared-off against Tam Trinh of Salem, Mass. Again Monk got on the board first winning the first game of the 8-Ball set. Trinh battled right back to even the match 1-1. Monk closed out the set with a 3-1 lead. When the pair switched to 9-Ball, they traded wins, and then Monk put away the match winning back-to-back games for a 5-2 victory.

Up next for Monk is APA League Operator Lee Coffman of Decatur, Ala. The two go head-to-head at 9:30 pm Saturday night.




	Match Coverage Larsen Becomes First Two-Time U.S. Amateur Women’s Champion A serious foot injury wasn’t going to keep Tina Larsen from making U.S Amateur Championship history. Plagued for years by issues with her feet, Larsen was experiencing major pain after three days of intense competition. The pain was evident early Sunday morning in her 11am match against Michell Monk. Monk defeated Larson with ease, handing her a 5-1 loss, and sending her to the one-loss side of the bracket. Larsen decided to seek pain relief immediately after the match. Coincidently, located next to Mr. Cues II is a nail saloon that offers high powered heated foot bathes. A few minutes of therapy did wonders for Larsen. She managed to win her next two matches before meeting Monk again in the semifinal round. This time it was Larsen handing Monk a 5-1 loss and eliminating the defending champ. From there it was a date with hometown favorite Betty Sessions in the finals. Larsen and Sessions traded wins the first two games of the 8-Ball set before Larsen was able to open a slight 3-1 lead. Sessions managed a win in the fifth game to pull within one. Larsen closed out the 8-Ball set with a win and a 4-2 lead. Larsen won the first game of the 9-Ball set and appeared well on her way to victory with a 5-2 lead. But Sessions showed the kind of adversity that had secured her a 3rd Place finish last year and led her undefeated to the finals this year. She scored three consecutive wins to even the match at 5-5. But it was Larsen’s turn to put on a clinic in adversity. With many in the local crowd rooting for Sessions, it was Larsen taking the next three games, putting her on-the-hill. Oddly, the local support seemed to almost make Sessions a bit uncomfortable in the match. Sessions wasn’t about to give up without a fight though, winning the fourteenth game, and pulling within two. But in the fifteenth and final game, Larsen secured the game and the match. She becomes the first two-time U.S. Amateur Women's Champion and now moves on to compete in a 2008 WPBA Classic Tour event. Larsen is proudly sponsored by the City Pool Hall in Chicago - http://www.citypoolhall.com/. Richko Takes Home First U.S. Amateur Championship Based on his Sunday afternoon match with former U.S. Amateur Champion Robert Hall, a 7-3 loss that sent him to the one-loss bracket, many at Mr. Cues II in Atlanta assumed Jason Richko’s final round match with Robert Hall was just a formality. After all, Hall was the seasoned U.S. Amateur Championship veteran who had gone undefeated throughout the tournament, including his victory over Richko. So when the two met again in the finals, most figured Hall was a lock to win. Most except for Richko and his local sponsor and friend Jose Del Rio, owner of Strokers Billiards in Florida, who came to offer his moral support. Unfazed by his loss to Hall, Richko saved his best pool for the finals. The match began in the 8-Ball set with Hall getting on the board first. Richko quickly countered and evened the match 1-1 in the second game. Hall continued to build a lead over Richko, winning the next two games, but Richko wasn’t backing down, again matching his counterpart with two consecutive victories of his own. The pair traded wins in the seventh and eighth games of the match, and switched to the 9-Ball set tied at four games a piece. Once in the 9-Ball set, Richko set the tone with an outstanding break and run to take his first lead of the match. Behind his exceptional break, Richko managed to take the next four games, barely giving Hall a chance at the table. When Hall did finally make it to the table, he didn't have much to shoot at thanks to Richko's defensive play. A missed combination shot on the 9-ball by Richko, and a miss cue in the 14th game, gave Hall the game and a glimmer of hope. After Richko failed to make a shot on the 8-ball in the 15th game, Hall again capitalized on the mistake, winning that game and the next, and cutting the deficit to two – 9-7. Richko would simply not be denied though, winning the next game to put himself on-the-hill. Needing only one more game for the victory and the title, Richko punctuate his victory with a 9-on-the-snap. He now moves on to compete in the 2008 U.S. Open. Larsen Gets Revenge, Eliminates Monk Hampered in their first meeting with a bum ankle, Tina Larsen headed next door to a nail saloon to use a high-powered heated foot bath for treatment. The remedy proved effective as Larsen avenged her 5-1 loss to Michell Monk earlier in the day. In the rematch, Monk again got on the board first in the 9-Ball set. From there on out though it was all Larsen. She reeled off five straight games for a 5-1 victory. The win propels Larsen in to a final round showdown with Betty Sessions, and eliminates Monk from the tournament. Larsen will look to secure her second U.S. Amateur Championship title, while Sessions will look to keep the trophy right here in Atlanta in front of her hometown crowd. Monk finishes the tournament in a very respectable 3rd Place. Hall Looks to Become Two-Time USAM Champion Robert Hall is a fixture at the U.S. Amateur Championship, having competed in all but the first two tournaments in 1994 and 1995. However despite a solid showing each year, he’s been unable to return to the finals since winning the event in 2001. A 7-3 victory over Jason Richko this afternoon assured him a spot in the final round. Hall took a commanding lead early on, winning the first four games in the 8-Ball set before Richko could get on the board. With Hall leading 4-1, the players switched to 9-Ball. Hall took a 5-1 lead after winning the first game of 9-Ball. Each player would then trade victories back and forth the next four games. The final result…a spot in the finals for Hall and a trip to the one-loss bracket for Richko. Richko will now face Gary Neal in hopes of still making it to the finals. Sessions Punches Ticket for the Finals, Hands Monk First Loss Hometown favorite Betty Sessions has advanced to the final round of the U.S. Amateur Championship, handing defending champion Michell Monk her first loss of the tournament in the process. Monk appeared uncharacteristically out of sync from the outset of the match, and Sessions made the most of her mistakes. Ironically, ESPN had aired footage and an interview of Monk competing in the WPBA Midwest Classic just prior to the match – her prize for winning the 2006 U.S. Amateur Championship. The players began the match in the 8-Ball set. Both appeared timid from the outset, failing to pocket routine shots. Sessions took a 1-0 lead winning the first game, but it appeared Monk would tie it up in the second. However, she left both the 9-ball and 11-ball hanging in opposite corner pockets. Sessions opted to play a combination shot, shooting the 8 into the 11, pocketing both balls, with the 11 dropping first. She narrowly scratched on the shot, but instead took a 2-0 lead, when the cue ball hung on the edge of the pocket. Both players finally appeared to settle down in the third game. Sessions failed to sink a ball on the break. Monk followed up by failing to pocket an object ball as well. Sessions then had a six-ball run, leaving herself only the 15-ball. Monk put together a nice run of her own, but with only the 1 and 3-balls remaining, she opted to take the longer shot on the 3 and subsequently missed the shot and scratched. Sessions sank the 15 and the 8 for a sizeable 3-0 lead as the players shifted to 9-Ball. Monk looked much more comfortable in the 9-Ball set, but continued to have trouble pocketing shots. In the fourth game, Sessions dropped the 4-ball on the break, but scratched. Monk proceeded to run five balls, but missed a shot on the 7 in the corner. She would eventually sink the 7-ball after Sessions missed her shot, but couldn’t pocket the 8. Sessions made a nice shot on the 8-ball, but left herself a tough look at the 9-ball. Sessions opted to try and play a safety, but left Monk a makeable shot. Monk then barely missed a cut shot on the 9-ball in the corner. Sessions would eventually pocket the 9 for a 4-0 lead. After both players had issues with a tricky 4-ball in the fifth game, but Monk finally was able to get on the board with a win. She then used a 3-9 combination to cut Session’s lead in half in the sixth game. Monk’s winning streak would come to a halt in the seventh and final game as Seesions proved too much. Sessions advances to the final round and will face the winner of the match between Tina Larsen and Monk. Monk Aces Tough Test Defending champion Michell Monk and former champion Tina Larsen met first thing Sunday morning after both secured late night wins Saturday. Larsen handed Samm Diep her first tournament loss 5-4. Monk advance to her showdown with Larsen after a 5-2 victory over Lee Coffman. Monk looked very much in championship form against Larsen – the inaugural winner of the U.S. Amateur Championship Women’s Division in 2003. The match began in the 8-Ball set with Monk taking a commanding 3-0 lead. She made it four consecutive games by winning the first game of the 9-Ball set. Larsen avoided a shutdown by securing a win in the second game of the 9-Ball set, but Monk closed out the match 5-1 in the next game. Monk will look to punch her ticket to the final round in her next match against hometown favorite Betty Sessions. Sessions, who finished in 3rd Place last year, defeated Shauna Kirsch of Crestview, Fla., 5-4. Monk and Sessions are the only two competitiors yet to suffer a loss in the Women's Division. The winner will advance to the finals, while the loser will move to the one-loss side of the bracket. Neal Ousts Men's Champion There will be no repeat champion in the Men’s Division of the U.S. Amateur Championship this year. Defending champion Bill McCollim was ousted in an early round match with Gary Neal. McCollim appeared well on his way to another victory with a 3-0 lead in the 9-Ball set. But Neal came right back to win three games of his own to tie the match at 3-3. The two traded wins in the final two games of the 9-Ball set and were tied 4-4 as they switched to 8-Ball. McCollim again pulled ahead by getting on the board first. But Neal battled right back again, this time putting away the match with three straight games and a 7-5 victory. Andrews and McCollim Stage a Rematch of ’06 Finals Late night tournament action included a rematch of the 2006 Men’s Division final with Richard Andrews and Bill McCollim going head-to-head. The match began in the 8-Ball set with Andrews getting on the board first. McCollim answered with a win of his own before Andrews took the next two games. At the end of the 8-Ball set, Andrews led 3-2 as he looked to avenge last year’s loss. McCollim was in his element with the switch to the 9-Ball set. He took the first three games before Andrews could counter with his first 9-Ball win. McCollim’s dominance over Andrews will continue until at least next year as he closed out the match 7-4, winning the final two games. Up next for McCollim is an early round match-up with Gary Neal of Spartanburg, S.C. McCollim Cruises Against Perry Defending Champion Bill McCollim seems unfazed by his 1st Round forfeit. Since his arrival Saturday morning, McCollim has gone 4-0. His latest victim was Eric Perry of Ambler, Pa. The match opened in the 8-Ball set with Perry winning the first game. McCollim then reeled off three straight games for a 3-1 lead. Perry battled back to win the fifth and final game of 8-Ball. Leading 3-2, McCollim went to work on Perry in the 9-Ball set. He won the first four games, and the match 7-2. McCollim moves on to face the winner of the match between George Price and Cedric Sloan. Monk Begins Title Defense Defending U.S. Amateur Champion Michell Monk of Palm Bay, Fla., has picked up right where she left off last year. Monk cruised through her first two rounds of competition, barely breaking a sweat in the process. Monk opened the tournament against local favorite Lara Rossignol. The two opened the match in the 8-Ball set, and Monk quickly took a commanding 3-0 lead. Rossignol’s luck appeared to change after the match shifted to the 9-Ball set. Rossignol won the first game and three of the first four to trail by only one. Unfortunately for her Monk’s lead was too great, and she finished off Rossignol 5-3 by winning the fifth game of 9-Ball. In her second match, Monk squared-off against Tam Trinh of Salem, Mass. Again Monk got on the board first winning the first game of the 8-Ball set. Trinh battled right back to even the match 1-1. Monk closed out the set with a 3-1 lead. When the pair switched to 9-Ball, they traded wins, and then Monk put away the match winning back-to-back games for a 5-2 victory. Up next for Monk is APA League Operator Lee Coffman of Decatur, Ala. The two go head-to-head at 9:30 pm Saturday night. The competition is relentless...
© 2007, American Poolplayers Association