Rayshooter wins ACUI Collegiate Nationals!

uwate

daydreaming about pool
Silver Member
Big congrats to my bud Raymond Linares (rayshooter) who has successfully defended his Collegiate National Title, beating a very strong Chris Futrell in the finals.

Back to back National Titles!
 
Congratulations Raymond!

FWIW - I know that deep down inside, no matter how much he denies it, John DiToro wishes he was you.

:smile:
 
Great job, Ray!

You're intense physical and mental training along with your dedication to and love for the game of pool are really taking your play to a whole new level. I'm glad to see it all finally coming together. Best of luck to you in your journey to the top!

Robert
 
Thanks everyone!

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of you who've supported me in my pool career. You've all become a close part of my pool circle and extended family. Especially Dave and Rob, seeing as you both have an active and hands on roll in my development. I just hope to keep on improving and raising the bar.

I was thinking about all of you during the finals and called on the thought of your support to help pull me through, seeing as I had only a handful of supporters in the room compared to the local player Chris Futrell :).

In any case it feels great to have won this tournament again. At least I have something in common with Varner :). Thanks again to everyone. You guys are amazing.

Sincerely,

Raymond Linares
 
Ray...Congratulations on your back to back championship wins! You're in a select group of people (including pros Max Eberle and Nick Varner) who have accomplished that feat. IIRC there are only 6, including you who have done it. I believe that Lars Vardeman won three times in a row, which nobody has done.

Good job! You had a tough finals match with Chris Futrell. He's a great player. It's also tough to fade your opponent's 'entourage' when you only have a few people there. IIRC, this was your last year of ACUI eligibility, so I guess we can say to Chris, "Better luck next year"! :thumbup: Was this year's ACUI at NIU in IL again?

Scott Lee
 
:thumbup: Was this year's ACUI at NIU in IL again?

Scott Lee

This year it was at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. They have a pretty nice room at their student union. Have about 10-14 Brunswick Gold Crowns.

Ben
 
Ben...Thank you. I have been to VT several times. Once, a few years ago, I spent two days working with the VT Billiards Team. A couple months later they went on to finish 3rd in a intercollegiate tournament where their previous best finish was 8th! Nice gameroom!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

This year it was at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. They have a pretty nice room at their student union. Have about 10-14 Brunswick Gold Crowns.

Ben
 
In any case it feels great to have won this tournament again. At least I have something in common with Varner :).


Max Eberle also won it twice. Two guys have won it three times, most recently Lars Vardaman.

Congrats on repeating.
 
Ray...Congratulations on your back to back championship wins! You're in a select group of people (including pros Max Eberle and Nick Varner) who have accomplished that feat. IIRC there are only 6, including you who have done it. I believe that Lars Vardeman won three times in a row, which nobody has done.

Leroy Kinman won three years in a row, 1949-1951. Twelve players have won it at least twice, among the men.
 
PoolBum...I knew of Kinman, but couldn't recall his name, and I thought he only won twice. The other back-to-back ACUI champions are Piazza, Eberle, Varner, Vardaman, and now Linares. Others who have won the ACUI more than once did not do it back to back. No matter what, just winning is a great achievement! :grin:

Scott Leer
www.poolknowledge.com

Leroy Kinman won three years in a row, 1949-1951. Twelve players have won it at least twice, among the men.
 
PoolBum...I knew of Kinman, but couldn't recall his name, and I thought he only won twice. The other back-to-back ACUI champions are Piazza, Eberle, Varner, Vardaman, and now Linares. Others who have won the ACUI more than once did not do it back to back.

Other back-to-back winners: John Beaudette (53-54), Joseph Sapanaro (56-57), William Wells (65-66), Dan Louie (73-74), and Jason Cruz (2001-2002).

I put Jason Cruz on the loser's side in 2003 and wish I wouldn't have, because after he beat me in the semifinals he had to beat Adam Smith twice to win it (true double elimination format). He cruised over Adam in the first set something like 9-3, but lost a close second set or he would have been a winner three times in a row.
 
PoolBum...I stand corrected! Where did you get that info? I've perused the ACUI information, and have old BCA rulebooks that list ACUI winners, but I wasn't aware of the names you mentioned. Even at 12, that's an exclusive club. Thanks for the update!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Other back-to-back winners: John Beaudette (53-54), Joseph Sapanaro (56-57), William Wells (65-66), Dan Louie (73-74), and Jason Cruz (2001-2002).

I put Jason Cruz on the loser's side in 2003 and wish I wouldn't have, because after he beat me in the semifinals he had to beat Adam Smith twice to win it (true double elimination format). He cruised over Adam in the first set something like 9-3, but lost a close second set or he would have been a winner three times in a row.
 
PoolBum...I stand corrected! Where did you get that info? I've perused the ACUI information, and have old BCA rulebooks that list ACUI winners, but I wasn't aware of the names you mentioned. Even at 12, that's an exclusive club. Thanks for the update!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

I have my own list, but I'm pretty sure you can find the list with an internet search. I think the BCA site used to have the list as well.
 
Ray also gets $1,000 scholarship money.

Ship it!

ACUI gave me a plaque and a hearty handshake when I won it in 1992.

Also, I don't think ray has run out of his eligibility years. He hasn't graduated from undergrad yet. And then there is potential graduate degree eligibility too. I think he will be back shooting after Lars' record.
 
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