Sophomore Averie West is excelling at what many may consider a simple hobby or party game, and she’s taking it to another level of skill and discipline.
Since West was just 7-years-old, she’s been following in the footsteps of her grandfather by playing pool. She’s been playing since then for about a decade, and she’s only driven herself toward improvement.
“I got my butt whooped, pretty much. But, then I started to go to pool league in Newark, Junior pool league, with kids my age and a little younger,” West stated.
West has been going to both junior and adult tournaments for a few years, and she has shown not only growth but also dominance at many.
“In 2022 I went to Pennsylvania, I got to a Junior worlds tournament, and I got 2nd, and in 2023 I went back to Pennsylvania and got first in that,” West explained. “Then the last two years I got first in [Junior] State, and then I recently went to Canada and got first in scotch doubles.”
Clearly West has been putting in the hours, and the results have spoken for themselves. But, she sees more than just herself on the list of people to thank for that. Her grandparents have led the charge in igniting her passion and keeping the flame alight, and her family supports her endeavors despite not being as adept in the sport. And then there is the important role her coaches have played.
“One of my pool coaches at my junior league, he’s really high up… he’s always there and always tells me to smile, be confident, and take a deep breath if I’m getting worked up and just helps me ground myself when I need it,” West stated.
And when asked about her journey to these major tournaments, she detailed the ease to get started in the sport.
“Anybody can come but you need to have a league in your home town, or somewhere you go to. You have to have 8 weeks of play time,” West mentioned.
West made comment on the ease to continue playing throughout one’s life, and the path she may take regarding the discipline.
“You can just continue going up, or you can just compete at a local level,” West claimed, “If that’s a path I choose to take I would be happy with it.”
