Van Boening Eclipses Alcano, Claims 32nd U.S. Open Title 13-10 finals victory clinches 9-ball’s most coveted crown for the pride of South Dakota by Paul Berg, Inside POOL Magazine Staff The journey literally began Sunday night, but in Shane Van Boening’s heart as an American pool player, tonight ends a quest that probably began as soon as he could draw his cue ball. The 24-year-old from Sioux Falls, SD, has had an impressive year, finishing runner-up at the Enjoypool.com event in Las Vegas and the World Summit of Pool in New York and snapping off the World 10-Ball Championship in Jacksonville, FL. Tonight, with a 13-10 finals defeat of reigning world 9-ball champ Ronato Alcano, Van Boening has become the 32nd Annual U.S. Open 9-ball champion. With four players of the original 233 entrants remaining at the start of the day, Van Boening faced Japan’s Tomoki Mekari in the final of the winners’ bracket. Van Boening had already defeated Sylver Ochoa, Chad Pike, Sparky Ferrell, Marcus Chamat, Ronnie … [Read more...]