By Nguyen Ta
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Students at Camden County College competed for prizes in the first Student Pool Tournament held by the Office of Student Life and Activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 20 and 21 in the game room of the Community Center Atrium.
This was a one versus one competition hosted by Tammy Timbers, head of the Office of Student Life and Activities, on the Blackwood campus, with two pool tables going at the same time. Students bonded over their shared love of billiards as they challenged for prizes.
Mo Shah, a computer science major at CCC, said this was a great chance for students to build friendships. “I got here by myself and now I have some new friends with the same interest in pool,” said Shah.
Mo Shah plays pool at Camden County College. By Nguyen Ta, CCC Journalism Program
He added, “In high school we had a pool table but we didn’t use it much. I know how to play but barely practice.” He was assessed to be a potential contestant since he won the first few matches. “I’m not bragging but I was just enjoying myself.”
As the tournament proceeded, it got more and more competitive. The final match ended with the striking shots of Logan Wilson, an education major at CCC.
Logan Wilson (dressed in black) competes in the tournament. By Nguyen Ta, CCC Journalism Program
About playing billiards, he said, “I grew up with it. I go with my dad to the billiard hall and they teach me ideas and strategies. He is my number 1 person when it comes to this sport.”
Wilson battled Raul Galindez in the final round. “I was really happy to see him here. It’s just like good people always prosper. I’ve seen a lot of people who are like minds on the game, don’t want to talk or argue about the pool with you and it’s super competitive,” said Wilson.
Logan Wilson and Raul Galindez gather for the championship. By Nguyen Ta, CCC Journalism Program
He added, “The championship game happens and it’s all fun, it’s all game and it’s just very nice.”
After winning the championship, Wilson said he just kept flashing back to all the other times he won in the previous games. “We get serious blood pumps and every single thing I’ve done has lighted up at this moment.”
For him, the tournament brought the community together. He said, “I make new friends, we share our interests, our hobbies. I think we should do more things like this, something like air hockey.”
Elijahlee Freeman, a business student, gained third prize in the tournament after six stimulating games. “I just want to thank God and my family and everybody at home,” he said with a laugh. “I’m just so excited.”
Elijahlee Freeman plays in the final game of the tournament. By Nguyen Ta, CCC Journalism Program
Almost everyone in the tournament never attended a pool competition before but they did it just for fun. “I just know how to play it but I’ve never taken it seriously. I worked hard for this moment,” Freeman said.
He won five matches successively. “I lost my first match yesterday, I thought that was the end, but I won every match after that,” he stated. He noted this reminded him of what his friend often says, “starting from the bottom, now we’re here.”