ENTERTAINMENT OPENING DAY CEREMONIES FIRST SESSION FREE TIME AT THE MOUNTAINEER TOURNAMENT PIZZA PARTY AT THE COUNTRY INN AND SUITES FINAL SESSION OF COMPETITION 2001 FINALS HOME
We always seek entertainment that will motivate our champs to strive to compete well. This year's honored guest was the 'Earl of Elkview.' The Earl had a musical slide show presentation that spoke about our West Virginia heritage. To help our champs appreciate the great people who have come from West Virginia. He encouraged our champs to be a friend because they would win more than a trophy. Words that our champs take to heart. The one compliment received by our tournament is, 'How friendly and fun loving our kids are.' A sincere hand shake or compliment are heard throughout our tournament. George Daugherty, the Earl of Elkview, opened our tournament on the right foot. A speaker enjoyed by all. A highlight for most was when he played the 'saw.' It sounded better than most play a violin.
After our speaker, we presented a certificate to our 1999 and 2000 Mountaineer Marble Tournament Champions. This certificate indicates that Bradley May and Gary Sias are entitled to receive a 1,000 dollar educational scholarship upon graduation from high school.
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Before the games begin, we have to have the opening shot. In 2001 the honor of begining our competition belonged to The Earl of Elkview. There was no hesitation about shooting a taw. But the Earl needs a little practice. The first two shots belonged to the Earl of Elkview, George Daugherty.
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Everyone was anxious to get things rolling. With the threat of rain on Monday and Tuesday, everyone was concerned that we might have to shorten the competition. However,competition took place in the inner court at the Tamarack. This open courtyard was the site of our competition. Our marble rings were setup and ready for the competition to begin on July 9th.
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FREE TIME
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There are many thing to do in the great city of Beckley, WV. However,
this year, swimming seems to be very popular.
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The all time favorite food of marble shooters. This party took place at The Country Inn and Suites, our host for our tournament. Our thirty extra large pizza's from Pappa Johns was plenty of food for everyone. A short break after the party and it was back to the pool.
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Our last day of competition is always our busiest because we have to complete
the preliminary play. After the preliminary play the group takes a break for
lunch and then comes back to finish the semi-finals and the finals. The sunshine was a welcomed site but it sure was hot.
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Our tournament consists of a round robin play among the boys and a round robin among the girls. Each player plays two games with each other player. This is our preliminary play. The top eight boys and top eight girls compete in another round robin. The top two players or this round robin then have a playoff to determine our champion.
The top eight girls for 2001 were as follows: Robin Martin, Preston Co. WV, Morgan Oiler, Braxton Co. WV, Alissa Fleming, Harrison Co. WV, Sarah Broadwater, Wilsonburg, WV, Amber Shreeves, Wood Co, WV, Britney Ridenour, Wilsonburg, WV, Kelly McGinnis, Harrison Co, WV and Jennifer Collins, Wood Co, WV. The competition is so close that we often have to use tie breakers to determine who will play in the finals. This year was no exception. Morgan Oiler and Alissa Fleming were our two finalist.
Since these two girls were so evenly matched, it was not until the sixth game when Alissa Fleming finally won the championship. Alissa took control by winning the first two games but Morgan came back to keep things alive. In the sixth game Alissa prevailed to become our ninth Mountaineer Marble Champ.
After the boys preliminary play the following boys remained: Matt Williams, Wilsonburg, WV, Denny Vincent, Wilsonburg, WV, Joshua Welch, Braxton Co, WV, Kevin Eisentrout, Preston Co, WV, Bobby Bender, Braxton Co, WV, Andrew Hinerman, Wilsonburg, WV, Andrew Shue, Perry Hall, MD, Travis Moore, Wood Co, WV. The top two boys were Matt Williams and Denny Vincent. Both from the same school.
Denny and Matt practice together, compete together, and ride home from the tournament together. Both are winners. This year Matt happens to be our champion.
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SCORES
Tom Thornburgh, Huntington WV, makes fine ceramic marbles. Each year he lets the boy and girl champion paint their own marble. He takes these marbles home and finishes and "fires" them. The champs receive their own marble in a few days.
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