Billiards students place in regional competition
Four USU students placed in the top half at the regional billiards competition held in Colorado last week.
Among 25 students, Jeff Fullmer placed fourth; Jon Barton, fifth; Tom Wasuita, seventh; and Shaun Swigger, 12th. The top three winners advance to Nationals in July, with Fullmer as an alternative if one can’t go, said Richard Skinner, billiards club adviser and instructor.
The four students were chosen from a tournament held at USU, said Wasuita, junior in accounting from Mountain Green.
The students competed in the game of nine ball, which is different than regular eight ball in that it is a much faster game, Skinner said. This allows the game to go faster, making it easier to get through a tournament, Watuita said.
Utah is part of Region 13 Association of College Unions International along with Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona.
While the four students have shot around for many years, for most it was their first regional competition. Barton, senior in mechanical engineering, said he likes to play and compete because pool is a complex game and one can always improve. Fullmer, senior in history, said it is a nice counter balance to school and a way he clears his mind.
“It’s fun to compete, and it’s nice to be around people who know how to shoot pool,” Wasuita said.
USU doesn’t have funds to sponsor the competition, so ASUSU paid for the travel, Skinner said.
“It’s great the school was able to sponsor it, and hopefully we will get more funding so more people can go,” said Swigger, sophomore in exercise science.
Skinner said the regional competition will be hosted here either next year or the year after. The last time the competition was held here was in 1992, and USU has been competing on and off for the last 20 years, Skinner said.
Another competition will be held at Idaho State University this weekend ,and anyone interested in going can contact Skinner at 881-4479.
-alison.baugh@aggiemail.usu.edu