Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Kelly Fisher reacts after winning the 2008 WPBA U.S. Open 9-Ball
Discussion
Tools
Fisher catches the breaks
After three years of close calls, former European champ wins U.S. title
The past three years Kelly Fisher has been knocking on the door. Even though she dominated the snooker world as a seven-time European champion, her goal has been to rise to the top of the Women’s Professional Billiards Association.
While she has climbed the rankings and won several events, Fisher hadn’t broken the stranglehold that has been held on the tour’s major titles.
But that ended Sunday when Fisher won the 2008 WPBA U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. The player they call Kwikfire beat upstart Iris Ranola 7-1 in the championship at Riverwind Casino.
Along with earning her first U.S. Open title, Kelly Fisher rose from No. 5 to take over the top ranking on the WPBA tour after Allison Fisher failed to defend her 2007 Open title.
“I just have so many emotions going through me at the moment,” Fisher said. “I can’t believe I have won it and am No. 1. It has all come at once from nowhere.”
Allison Fisher will drop to the sixth position while Ga Young Kim and Xiaoting Pan are tied for fourth. Sarah Ellerby rounds out the top-five.
Kelly Fisher had a shot last year to win the title when she made it to the finals. But an untimely scratch on the 9-ball sealed her fate. Yet, the England native was able to get past it and come back this year and the biggest victory over her career.
“Last year to get to the finals of the U.S. Open and scratching on the nine, I so much wanted it,” Fisher said. “I am so pleased. My emotions are everywhere.”
After beating three top-10 players on her way to the finale, Ranola could not get by Fisher. However, the rookie playing in only her second tour event is a star on the rise.
“It’s a good thing,” Ranola said. “I made it to the finals. I played my best so I am not disappointed or sad. She played good. I accept my loss. I hope to get more exposure and sponsors, too. It’s hard for me to join all the tournaments. I have to qualify and travel a lot. This could be a good start, I hope.”
The WPBA announced after the championship that it will be coming back to Norman next year for another tour event. It has not been decided whether it will be for the U.S. Open Championship or a regular tour event.
But if it was up to Fisher, all tour titles would be held in Norman.
“Riverwind has been fantastic,” Fisher said. “This potentially could be my new favorite place. They treat us like royalty. And I’m not saying that because I won.”
Michael Kinney
366-3537
mkinney@normantranscript.com
- Local Sports
-
-
SaberCats come out in force
Julian Wilson was the first Southmoore player to commit last summer. And he was pleased at everything that has happened since then.
- Clash seating arrangements
-
Area losses mount
For the first time this season, all three area teams are coming off a loss. While Westmoore and Moore have experienced a few tough beats already, Southmoore is experiencing something they haven't felt since last year.
-
Johncox On Preps: Perfection still a long way away
We're halfway through the prep football season, and there are three undefeated teams left in the area.
Everyone knows about Norman North. The Timberwolves are 4-0, and would likely be 5-0 had they been able to complete their game against Muskogee, already up 10-0 in the first quarter.
-
Horning: Turns out Jenks was cheating
Here's the headline from rivals.com: "Jenks (Okla.) coach Allan Trimble suspends himself."
Here's what the headline should have been: Jenks coach Allen Trimble, cheater, falls on spike hoping to avert yet greater penalties from the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activity Association.
-
A heartbreak loss
MOORE -- Southmoore had put on aerial shows all season.
Every team the SaberCats have played has gotten a taste of what they can do when they are on their game.
However, Putnam City North came into the District 6A-1 showdown unafraid.
-
Shutout
Halfway home. That's where Norman North is in its push to a perfect regular season after taking care of a scrappy Moore squad, 33-0, at Harve Collins Stadium Friday night.
Now 4-0 -- a likely fifth win was cut short when North and Muskogee were unable to finish a game the T-Wolves were leading early last month -- North so far has silenced the critics who wondered if they could bounce back from key losses to graduation from last year's playoff squad.
-
Tigers fall short
The Edmond North Huskies held off a second-half charge by a pesky Norman High team and kept their undefeated record intact, winning by a score of 42-28.
The Huskies were without running back Qua'Don Henderson who was out with the flu, but Edmond North still racked up 193 yards on the ground.
-
Defense key for teams
How good has the defense been at North and Lexington?
The two area squads are near the top of their classes (Class 2A for Lexington) in total yards and points allowed.
Lexington has given up an average 93.
-
Another chance
Mike Bread and his Little Axe softball team didn't want to be in this position, having to win three games today to reach the Class 4A state tournament.
Yet on the other hand, it's the Indians' season-long success, the same thing that made Friday's regional split difficult to accept, that has Bread confident heading into today.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
SaberCats come out in force
