The 37th Annual BEF Junior National Championships concluded on July 12, 2025, in Quincy, Illinois, drawing nearly 100 junior billiard athletes from over 26 states. Hosted by the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) at the Oakley Lindsay Center, the event marked its third consecutive year in Quincy and debuted as part of the larger USA National Pool Championships, which also included the Masters and Wheelchair Nationals.
The weeklong event featured multiple disciplines: 8-Ball, 9-Ball, 10-Ball, and 14.1 Straight Pool, each sponsored by leading billiards brands. Notable champions included Eddie Vonderau, who rebounded from an early loss to win the 18 & Under Boys 8-Ball and later captured gold in 10-Ball. Savannah Easton and Sofia Mast continued their strong rivalry in multiple girls’ divisions, trading victories across 8-Ball, 9-Ball, and Straight Pool. Rising stars like Hayden Ernst, Jose Vicente, and Jordan Helfery made significant impacts by winning multiple events in their respective age brackets.
The tournament also introduced or continued key scholarship and recognition programs. All girls’ gold medalists received the Michael Repici Memorial Scholarship ($500 each). The new BEF Jayden Liu Memorial Scholarship awarded $1,000 to Jamison Gall and Darragh O’Connor for excellence in academics and sportsmanship. Shane Petrick and Jordan Helfery received the Brendan Crockett Character Awards for exemplary sportsmanship.
The event concluded with the Academic All American Awards, recognizing 44 student-athletes for maintaining a 3.5+ GPA. Trick shot legend Florian “Venom” Kohler delivered an inspiring keynote speech, emphasizing the importance of education alongside athletic achievement. Overall, the championships celebrated both competitive excellence and academic distinction in youth billiards.