Hutter Dominates Junior Billiards Tour Event

By R.T. Mechling

Eighteen-year-old Wayne Hutter of Mims, FL, captured both the 10-Ball Diamond Ring Game and 9-ball match titles at the Junior Billiards Tour's third event of the season.  Hutter eliminated the five other finalists to take the ring game and seized control of the 9-ball match from the o­ne-loss side en route to his double victory.  The newly reopened Orlando Billiards Center in Orlando, FL, was the venue for all the action o­n April 30. 

Hutter's excellent play gave him his second victory o­n the tour, and he took home a $200 Nick Varner cue for the Diamond Ring Game win and a $100 Nick Varner cue case for the 9-ball win.  This was also the last chance for players to qualify for the BCA Junior Nationals, which will be held in Ann Arbor, MI, in June. 

In the ring game, Hutter was defeated in his first match by top-ranked Trey Jankowski in a hill-hill battle.  Upon his arrival o­n the o­ne-loss side Hutter found himself o­n the winning end of a hill-hill match by downing Billy "The Kid" Burke to keep his hopes alive.  Hutter then seemed to catch to fire, disposing of Thomas Lane, Wesley Chapel, and Christopher McCain before advancing to a semifinal rematch against Jankowski, who had just lost to another tournament favorite, Mitchell Menes.  Jankowski and Hutter o­nce again went hill-hill; however, Hutter continued the momentum by advancing to the finals against Menes. 

Undefeated 15-year-old junior champion Menes of Tampa, FL, and Hutter found themselves in a race to 7 to see who would take top honors.  The final was intense, but Hutter knocked Menes from the ranks of the defeated to clinch the title. 

The first-place victory by Hutter secured him the third spot in the six-player 10-Ball Diamond Ring Game Championship to be held at the Orlando Open o­n August 3-7.

10-Ball Diamond Ring Game Results:

1st Wayne Hutter 100 points

2nd Trey Jankowski, Christopher Lafata 75 points

4th Matthew Menes, Mitchell Menes, Christopher McCain 45 points

9-Ball 18 & Under Junior National Qualifier Results:

1st Wayne Hutter 50 points

2nd Mitchell Menes 25 points

3rd Trey Jankowski 15 points

9-Ball 14 & Under Junior National Qualifier Results:

1st Michael Mallen 50 points

2nd Roger Aleong, Jr. 25 points

3rd Matthew Menes 15 points

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