Local teen billiard star qualifies for Junior Championship

Provided photo: Teen billiards champ Jake Jackson, a Lyndonville sophomore, gives a thumbs-up after a successful tournament. He is currently ranked in the top 10, which qualifies him to compete in the final Junior Championship Nov. 20 in Florida.

LYNDONVILLE – Local teen billiards champ Jake Jackson is preparing for a trip to Florida in November, after qualifying to play in the final Junior Championship.

Ranked in the top 10, Jake has had a busy and rewarding summer, said his father Roger Jackson.

Several of his competitions were the U.S. Open in Atlantic City and the Junior Nationals in Illinois, where Jake finished fourth in the 8-Ball Division.

Jake has been on a streak, his father said, winning three 9-Ball tournaments in a row. He just went undefeated in the Bison Billiards in Williamsville. Bison Billiards is also one of Jake’s sponsors.

In the last two weekends, Jake won the 2nd Chance Tournament in Utica, and repeated the win in Syracuse in the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Stop #4 and #5. This was against some of the toughest adult players throughout the entire Northeast, Roger said.

Jake is already entered in the Joss Tours final $25,000 money added championship at Turning Stone Casino Resort in January, with a field of 128 players and some of the world’s best competitors.

This week, Jake will be traveling to Roanoke, Va. for the Predator Junior American Series at Wolfs Den Billiards. This will be his last chance to win this division. He will also complete in the 19 and under division there.