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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 6, 2005 Jontel Baritua, 9, lines up his shot Friday at the Sands Hotel during the U.S. Pool Players Association�s nine-ball tournament in Reno, Nev. He ranked 33rd out of 190 players. He’s small, but right on cue A chance to play with the pros and TV offers make Reno trip special for Medford 9-year-old By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune Despite not winning the championship last weekend at the U.S. Pool Players Association’s nine-ball tournament in Reno, Nev., 9-year-old Jontel Baritua’s skill with a pool cue has propelled him into the spotlight. The third-grader at Wilson Elementary School in Medford ranked 33rd among his 190 adult opponents at the amateur tournament and won an invitation to shoot with the pros today at the association’s Reno Open 42 competition at the Sands Regency Casino & Hotel. "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," the "Today" show, the "Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "Last Call With Carson Daly," among others, have called to book television appearances, said Tony Annigoni, the association’s managing partner. "It really feels great," Jontel said of the attention. Jontel, who stands 4 feet 1 inch tall, is the second-youngest player in the amateur tournament’s 24-year history. The youngest at age 7 was Austin Murphy of Folsom, Calif., who proceeded to win the championship this year for boys ages 14 and younger at the Billiard Congress of America Junior Nationals as an 11-year-old. Advertisement Annigoni said Jontel’s future looks just as bright. "He has tremendous potential," Annigoni said. Jontel won five out of seven matches last weekend, netting $150 in cash prizes. He said he plans to use the money to see a circus act at Circus Circus Hotel & Casino and contribute to his college fund. "He impressed everybody," said Wayne Whiting, director of the Southern Oregon chapter of USPPA. Although Jontel did not qualify to move on to the professional tourney, the association extended him a special invitation to compete, and the hotel agreed to pay for his accommodations. "He’s got good publicity, and we thought it would be good for the tournament," Annigoni said. Jontel learned how to play pool at age 6 from his grandparents, Robert and Elizabeth Wohosky of Medford. He received his first cue for Christmas last year and joined the Southern Oregon chapter of the amateur league about seven months ago, said his mother, Joanne Lyon of Medford. He won seven of 14 chapter competitions at Rack ’Em Billiards in Medford to qualify for the tournament in Reno. As a result of Jontel’s short stature, he often has to stretch to reach over the 31-inch table rail, Whiting said. In one match Thursday, Jontel managed to hit a nine ball nearly 9 feet away from the cue ball, Whiting said. "The distance was twice the length of his body," Whiting said. "He hit the cue ball hard, and the ball split the pocket. It didn’t even hit the rail. "The crowd just erupted. Jontel held the cue above his head and strutted around the table. It was just hilarious." Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4496 or e-mail He�s small, but right on cue ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Advertisement s