Who were the most talented junior players, who disappeared from competition?

Mark Beilfuss (just quit on top at a young age) and Chan Witt (died in a car accident) are the first two that come to mind. A few years ago there was the Engel kid from Minnesota, another great young player who just disappeared. A little further back we had Jon Kucharo from Iowa who was a world beater at 20-21 and out of competition by age 24.

The only time I saw Kucharo was in Vegas.
He got the 7-out from Parica and that might have made him quit.
 
Mark Beilfuss (just quit on top at a young age) and Chan Witt (died in a car accident) are the first two that come to mind. A few years ago there was the Engel kid from Minnesota, another great young player who just disappeared. A little further back we had Jon Kucharo from Iowa who was a world beater at 20-21 and out of competition by age 24.

I have heard that Mark Beilfuss was running in the 100's in his mid teens. Do you know Jay, if he was another prodige (sp.?) of George Ellis... (Harold Worst's sparring
partner). I think he is from Grand Rapids, and if so I would be surprised if George
didn't have a hand in tutoring him. Do you have any knowledge of this? Bobby Hunter would probably know... as George worked with him from what I hear.

td
 
I wish there were some video to be found on Austin Murphy playing pool. I can only find 1 short video of him playing Reyes in an exhibition, and it was a very short video. He was only 14 at the time.

How good was he the last time you seen him compete?

Austin plays pretty strong. He was playing a little under Amar's speed. Great shotmaker with an amazing stroke. His stroke was the kind that made you jealous. He was playing the weekly and monthly tourneys sporadically at Hard Times Sacramento up until a few years ago. Hadn't seen him in awhile before I moved away.
 
There are still some solid junior players that aren't abandoning the sport. Chris Robinson is going to be a world beater. Mark my words.
 
I have heard that Mark Beilfuss was running in the 100's in his mid teens. Do you know Jay, if he was another prodige (sp.?) of George Ellis... (Harold Worst's sparring
partner). I think he is from Grand Rapids, and if so I would be surprised if George
didn't have a hand in tutoring him. Do you have any knowledge of this? Bobby Hunter would probably know... as George worked with him from what I hear.

td

I don't know the answer to that. I only knew Mark by reputation. All the players knew about him when he was a teen prodigy. He was one kid they avoided! :cool:
 
Austin.................

I wish there were some video to be found on Austin Murphy playing pool. I can only find 1 short video of him playing Reyes in an exhibition, and it was a very short video. He was only 14 at the time.

How good was he the last time you seen him compete?
According to his FB page he is running a magic-supply business. Still hits em' every now and then.
 
The only time I saw Kucharo was in Vegas.
He got the 7-out from Parica and that might have made him quit.

I don't know Kucharo myself, but being from central Illinois, I do hear of some matches of his from time to time. I do think he's playing locally where ever he's at.
 
I have heard that Mark Beilfuss was running in the 100's in his mid teens. Do you know Jay, if he was another prodige (sp.?) of George Ellis... (Harold Worst's sparring
partner). I think he is from Grand Rapids, and if so I would be surprised if George
didn't have a hand in tutoring him. Do you have any knowledge of this? Bobby Hunter would probably know... as George worked with him from what I hear.

td

Mark was a GR resident at that time. The word was he learned from his grandfather - no name recalled. Bobby Hunter definitely knew Mark.
 
Very simple answer, in 2002 my son was arguably one of the best five 16 year old player in the U.S. Only names like Josh Brothers, Shane Winters could beat him. He had a super stroke, 20-15 eyesight, and hand eye coordination that was evidenced by strong performances in other athletic sports in high school. He was natural for pool in every sense, but we never pushed any career future in pool beyond that point- he is now a very successful 30 year old college grad living single in NYC, paying his own way and earning above $200,000K per year in a business field. any doubts that pool would have been a dead end compared to the future that now lies in front of him- NONE whatsoever! In some ways I wish that it were different, but there is no longer the prospect of living a nice life under Brunswick sponsorship or any other corporate backing.

He made the right decision even if he made less than half his current salary. But, just curious, does he play pool at all anymore, leagues, local tourney for kicks, pool room at home ?
 
Is the mystery 16 year old that was just under josh n Shane winters Michael tosada from New York? I remember him from the super billiards expo. I'm 26 and it seemed when I was in the juniors tournaments(especially the 19 n under cuz I started when I was 14) there was multiple future champions playing world class speed to name a few from my age group off hand beside Michael there was Chris futrell Richard Barney and that guy skittles lol I remember he played me my first year first round in a full pin striped tuxedo n needless to say I was a novice, I was barely able to hit the bottom rail w the cue ball, and he's jumping balls in lol. I know futrell still plays at least some cuz he has cash finishes on as from many years since n out of all of them he was talented and playing better than anyone junior or not before he was 16.
 
Mark Beilfuss (just quit on top at a young age) and Chan Witt (died in a car accident) are the first two that come to mind. A few years ago there was the Engel kid from Minnesota, another great young player who just disappeared. A little further back we had Jon Kucharo from Iowa who was a world beater at 20-21 and out of competition by age 24.
Kucharo had the most powerful break I've ever seen.
 
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I have heard that Mark Beilfuss was running in the 100's in his mid teens. Do you know Jay, if he was another prodige (sp.?) of George Ellis... (Harold Worst's sparring
partner). I think he is from Grand Rapids, and if so I would be surprised if George
didn't have a hand in tutoring him. Do you have any knowledge of this? Bobby Hunter would probably know... as George worked with him from what I hear.

td

Mark and George spent a lot of time together. How much Mark actually learned from George, I don't know.
 
Is the mystery 16 year old that was just under josh n Shane winters Michael tosada from New York? I remember him from the super billiards expo. I'm 26 and it seemed when I was in the juniors tournaments(especially the 19 n under cuz I started when I was 14) there was multiple future champions playing world class speed to name a few from my age group off hand beside Michael there was Chris futrell Richard Barney and that guy skittles lol I remember he played me my first year first round in a full pin striped tuxedo n needless to say I was a novice, I was barely able to hit the bottom rail w the cue ball, and he's jumping balls in lol. I know futrell still plays at least some cuz he has cash finishes on as from many years since n out of all of them he was talented and playing better than anyone junior or not before he was 16.

Honest question : if you couldn't hit the bottom rail, what were you doing playing in the junior nationals?
 
Back in the day there was a kid named Jordy. He was about 12 or so when I used to gamble with him. His old man owned a pool room on 40 in MD on the way to Philly. Haveno seen or heard of him in years but someone recently told me he's back on the scene and playing REAL SPORTY! Anyone know who I speak of?
 
Of course, we must now count former junior champion John Morra, a DCC banks champion and a Super Billiards Expo 10 ball champion, as a fine young player that has left the game.

What happened to John Morra? Last I knew, he was a top contender.
 
One of the brightest lights in the pool world was murdered at the age of 21.
Sammy Guzman from NYC was World Junior Champion at the age of 16.
Just ask Tony Robles and Frankie Hernandez about Sammy Guzman.
Sammy had a super powerful stroke, was flashy and confident, fun to watch, and always in action.
 
John Morra has taken a hiatus from pool.
Looking at other career options after two heartbreaking losses at Turning Stone.
 
John Morra has taken a hiatus from pool.
Looking at other career options after two heartbreaking losses at Turning Stone.

I do REALLY HATE TO SAY THIS, but I will. First, if looking at better, more stable, better paying career fields then I applaud him for making the smart, calculated decision and certainly wish him well and only the best. Realistically probably both the smartest and hardest thing he could do. The next part of what I'm gonna say is what I hate to say but it is the truth : if he is quitting because of a couple hard losses then that indicates a VERY pussi__h attitude and outlook and while I don't know that is the case, if it is then it's better he gets out sooner rather than later because with that mentality it won't get you far in this world. Won't get you far in ANY world, but especially this one. Wish him the best of luck in whatever he decides to do.
 
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