History in the making!

The first ever USBA Women's National Championship was held January 5-6, 2008 at the Executive Inn in Louisville, KY.

Some of the top names in Women's Pool were ready to try their hand at a new and difficult game: 3-Cushion Billiards!!!

The players: Jeannette Lee (the Black Widow), Monica Webb, Helena Thornfeldt, Belinda Campos Calhoun, Melissa Little, and U.S. 3-cushion players Mercedes Gonzales, Ester Park and Olivia Lee (Sang Lee's daughter).

Paul Frankel, Ester Park, Belinda Campos Calhoun, Mercedes Gonzales, Monica Webb, Melissa Little, Jeanette Lee, Olivia Lee, Helena Thornfeldt, Charles Brown.

It didn't take long for the top Women's Pool players to realize that they had their hands full. Not only were they playing a game that was somewhat unfamiliar to them, but they also had to face a dangerous billiard player by the name of Mercedes Gonzales from Miami, who is also a strong "B" player when she plays with the men!

A pleasant surprise as well was the performance of a 22-year old girl from Queens, New York, by the name of Ester Park. Ester was undefeated until her last match with Mercedes. She is very composed at the table and a class act. Perhaps in the future, she may pose a serious threat to Mercedes, or even some of the top Men's players!

Jim Shovak, Jeanette Lee (3rd), Mercedes Gonzales (1st), Ester Park (2nd), Paul Frankel

Mercedes, of course, was the main story, going undefeated, averaging almost twice as much as the other players, with the high run of 6 and the best game of 1.176 against Belinda Campos Calhoun.

Mercedes, should she wish to attend, has earned the right to go to Turkey to compete for the World Women's Championship later this year.

Mercedes, with her long, curly blond hair, has been nicknamed the "Lioness" by Bob Page. I officially declare her the "Queen of 3-Cushion Billiards". Hail to the Queen!!!

Mercedes Gonzales

Charts in PDF

Prize Fund in PDF