Jack 'n Jill Winners	Jack 'n Jill Runners-Up

Jack 'n Jill Doubles Event Results

Two and a half days of competition, 14 Rounds and 223 Matches, the field had been narrowed to two teams competing for the $4,000 first place prize in the Jack 'n Jill Doubles Tournament. The Best of Pekin Illinois, Denise Martin and Scott Franklin of Pekin Coeur, Ill., met head-to-head in a race to four with Pocket Chalkers, Jessi Nester and Jerry Syacsure of Des Moines, WA.

Nester of the Pocket Chalkers won the lag and claimed the solids right away. The Best of Pekin Illinois quickly cleared their balls from the table but scratched on the 8-ball. During the second game Nester broke again, leaving an open table. The Pocket Chalkers played cautiously. Martin scratched on her last stripe giving the Pocket Chalkers control of the table. The Best of Pekin Illinois redeemed themselves during the second game, making the match 1-1. After the fourth game the match was dead even at 2-2. The Best of Pekin Illinois pulled ahead after the fifth game. Martin and Franklin cleaned up their table, not letting either Pocket Chalker a chance at the table. Franklin called the side pocket for the win.

The final game of the match was extremely steady. Martin made a beautiful break, scattering the balls, and claimed the stripes. Each player took his time with each shot. The Best of Pekin Illinois were behind by four balls; they played their strategy, and showed great displays of teamwork to catch up. Martin pocketed the 8-ball in the corner to win. The match ended 4-2.

"It was a very good game, they outplayed us," said Nester, "but everyone out here was very nice we had a lot of good matches, the event was extremely organized and was run very smoothly."

"We don't play together back home, but I think we matched up well out here we were very calm and I think that contributed to our success, we will be back next year!" said Syacsure.

Nester had won the qualifier in Seattle to reach the event in Las Vegas, "I originally had qualified with another gentleman, but we later found out that he did not have enough match scores to qualify to go out to Vegas, so I had to find another partner. I made a list of people I thought I would shoot well with; then my friend said I should ask Jerry, because we shoot and think alike. I really did not know him, but called him up and he was excited to come out here. We filled the last spot in the nation!"

"It was funny, because people and even our League Operator said 'you guys don't shoot together, how will you go out there and compete?' but I think our team worked out great!" said Syacsure. Nester and Syacsure walked away with $2,000.

Martin was completely exhilarated after the Finals round.
"I just wanted to come out here and play our best," said Martin, "but we got out here, our games just clicked and we made a great team, I am very proud of Scott and the way he played!"

"We took it one game at a time, we didn't look too far ahead, each match we focused on the game at hand," said Franklin, "and it worked."

"Scott and I play together on a League, I like his playing style and his positive attitude, he plays smart and handles himself well," said Martin, "the way we clicked really had a lot to do with being successful."

Denise dedicated her game to her Uncle Joe, who passed away Thursday, May 2, 2002 while she was competing in the tournament.