Indiana Team Wins 8-Ball World Championship
Believe the Hype of Evansville, Ind., defeated Make It Work of Harahan, La., in the finals of the 2016 World 8-Ball Championship. The victory earned Believe the Hype $25,000 in 1st Place prize money, while Make It Work took home $15,000 as Runners-up. Believe the Hype ousted Just Making Friends of Miami, Fla., in the semifinals while Make It Work defeated Beat Em With Sticks of Midwest City, Okla. Just Making Friends and Beat Em With Sticks each received $7,500 in prize money for making to the final day of competition. Controlled Chaos of Hilliard, Ohio, were presented the Sportsmanship Award in the 8-Ball division. More than 700 teams competed in this year’s 8-Ball World Championship.
Champions: Believe The Hype of Evansville, IN
Front Row (L to R): Brian Payne, Jeanna Payne, Courtney Truitt, Derrick Foronda; Back Row: Derek Bivens, Daniel Field, James Ruggerio, Devin Watson
Runners-Up: Make It Work of Harahan, LA
Front Row (L to R): Doyel Calder, Shawn Pichoff, Amanda Callahan, Donnie Schmidt; Back Row: Craig Ricks, Sr., Charles Bruno, Jeremy Bruno, Gerard Richard (not pictured
3rd Place: Beat Em With Sticks of Midwest City, OK
Front Row (L to R): Paul James, Jamie Gary, Jon Gary, Donita McCormick; Back Row: James York, Raymond McCormick, Randy Ross (not pictured), Shane Ragland (not pictured)
3rd Place: Just Making Friends of Miami, FL
Front Row (L to R): Javier Chirino, Joaquin Abarca, Mariela Abarca, Michael Pena; Back Row: Jonathan Hernandez, David Uwate, Miguel Alvaro (not pictured), Nicole Duarte (not pictured)
8-Ball World Championship Sportsmanship Winners
Controlled Chaos of Hilliard, OH – Front Row (L to R): Kevin Wampler, Arlena Blackburn, Donald Chutes, Jr.; Back Row (L to R): John Lindsley, William Bolzenius; Not pictured: Paul Meyers, Sr., Ernie Lehner, Paul Meyers, Jr.