ESTEVAN - A team of Estevan pool players were in Las Vegas recently, where they represented Saskatchewan at an international event.
Break a Leg – comprised of Burva Connor, Melissa Donison, Rey Ferrer, Jigs Gonzales, Elyse Mantei, Carl Maranan and Henry Renwick – competed at the American Poolplayers Association (APA) World Championships in 8-ball last month. Murray Hamm, who was part of the team that won provincials earlier this year, couldn't make it.
The team went 1-1 in the tournament. They won their first match but lost their second, knocking them out of the modified single-elimination competition. A total of 756 teams were entered the 8-ball division, and Donison believes there were close to 1,400 teams and 15,700 players entered between the different disciplines.
Donison said she was hoping they would win at least four or five times before elimination, but they still had a good team and Vegas was a good experience.
"It was amazing. There were so many people," said Donison. "Everyone loves pool as much as you do, and it's just a really good community. And to meet people from everywhere, it was really nice."
Five of the seven team members played in each match. Players were assigned a number based on their skill level, ranging from a seven for top players to a two for novices. The five-player total for a game can't exceed 23.
Several members of the team also signed up for separate single-elimination games for individuals. Players entered based on their skill level. Donison tied for first in one of her divisions, Gonzales and Mantei reached the final, and Renwick and Maranan also competed. Sixteen or 32 players would be a normal field size.
Donison said they were grateful for all of the support they received to get them to Vegas. The Days Inn and the Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion were very supportive, she said.
She noted the team's name was a play on words, because a leg in pool is used to determine who gets to break first in the match.
Donison said she expects the team will be able to remain together. The season starts in the middle of September, and Break a Leg members are eager to resume playing. There is always room for new players of any skill level in the league, she said.
