MUSCATINE, Iowa — Muscatine pool player Rachel Byrket wore a humble smile Monday as her father spoke of her most recent success.

Rachel, 20, is the champion of the 19th Annual Valley National 8 Ball Association Junior International Pool Tournament that took place June 25-28 at the Pershing Center in Lincoln, Neb.

“This is the second time she’s played this tournament, and she’s won both times,” said her father, Blake Byrket, who lives with Rachel’s mother, Virginia Byrket in rural Muscatine.

Rachel played 18 other women in her age division of 18-20 to claim the title.

This is the second time Rachel has taken first place at the Valley National. On June 23, 2006, she became champion of the 16th annual event on her 17th birthday.

Rachel’s been playing pool since she was 14 and her interest and determination grows with each successful tournament.

Her father is a pool player too, and Rachel said she’s learned a great deal from him, but Blake insists she was born for the game.

“She has a lot of natural ability,” he said.

In order for Rachel to play on the professional circuit, she must win a  Women’s Professional Billiards Association qualifier.

She’s getting closer.

In 2008, Rachel placed second to professional pool player Iris Ranola in the Galesburg, Ill.,Women’s Qualifier. This year, she placed third to Elizabeth Lovely and Nicole Keeney in that event.

Rachel has taken the top spot in other tournaments over the past five years, such as the 2007 Iowa State Women’s Master’s Team play.

Although she dreams of going pro, Rachel doesn’t pin all her efforts on one goal.

She was a valedictorian of the Muscatine High School class of 2007 and  maintains an A average at Muscatine Community College where she received the John Holt Science Award in May for outstanding work.

Rachel plans to enroll in the nursing program at Scott Community College in 2010.

She said studying actually improves her game.

“I play really well after I finish studying,” said Rachel. “It’s like my brain is sharper.”

Details

Some of the results of tournaments in which Rachel Byrket has played.

2006 — Winner of the  Valley National 8 Ball Association Junior International Tournament.

2006 — Winner of the Iowa State Championship Scotch Doubles Tournament.

2007 — Second place in the Iowa State Women’s Open, out of approximately 200 women, which gave Byrket “master” status.

2007 – First place in the Iowa State Women’s Master’s Team play.

2007 — At the American Cue Sports Nationals held at the Riviera, in Las Vegas, fourth place in the Women’s 8-ball, and 7th/8th place in the Women’s 9-ball. Byrket’s Women’s Master Team won first place that same year.

2008 — Second place in Women’s Masters Iowa State Pool Tournament.

2009 — Fifth/sixth  place in the Women’s Master’s event. Byrket’s  Women’s Master Team won first place in the Team play again.

Online

Learn more about Rachel Byrket at http://www.rachelbyrket.com/