Two billiard teams from Ansonia will be playing in a national pool tournament in Las Vegas next month.
Chasers Bar and Lounge on Water Street sponsors one of the teams, who qualified for the American Poolplayers Association’s national tournament last year as well with a “slightly different roster,” Chasers owner Len Stauffer said in an email Tuesday(July 8).
Stauffer said the team was placed in a tougher, “Tier 2” bracket this year and had to win seven single-elimination matches in a row to qualify this year.
Of the 76 teams who participated in the state tournament, only 13 qualified for the Las Vegas tournament, he said.
The team is captained by Nick Lampronikos Sr.
Pictured in the photo are, from back row, left to right: Jonathan Gayda, Nick Lampronikos Sr., Jon Wargo, Brian Ferro, Chris Sansone and Mike Dirienzo. In the front row from left to right are Brianna Dirienzo, Toni Dirienzo, and Nick Lampronikos Jr.
And the Chasers team won’t be the only local billiards squad heading to Las Vegas this year, Stauffer said.
A team captained by Ray Paulson and based at the Central Subalpi Club on Parker Street also made the cut.
In addition to Paulson, the team’s roster includes Robbie Benavides, Dennis Hogan, Dennis Hogan Sr., John Soldra, Timmy Sotolongo, Nick McDermott, and Steve Mitchell.
Click here for more info on the tournament.
