Youth Pool Champ

Owatonna’s 12-year-old Grady Seykora was a double winner at the VNEA National Youth Pool Tournament over the weekend in Nebraska. He earned first place in team and scotch doubles while taking second in singles. His goal was to have fun, learn from the pros, and win, “Seeing all the good competition, try to win. Because I’m very competitive,” he said.

            He appreciated the chance to be around the pros in person in his second national tournament. He has also watched them on YouTube to learn the nuances of the sport. “It’s very cool how other people see the game. How they play the game. Very cool to hang out around all-stars and other superstars that played on professional TV,” said Seykora.

            He also received a scholarship and sportsmanship award.

            The incoming seventh grader got his start around a pool table at age six at the urging of his grandpa and parents even though he could barely reach over the top of a table. “I just fell in love with the game, so I just kept practicing and trying to get better each time.”

            Seykora plays league through Wagner’s Lunch – Pool Hall in Owatonna from October through February and practiced several times a week to prepare for nationals. “Playing against other really good people, you get more competitive each time… It makes you better,” he said.