Local Mibsters Ready for Tournament

WILDWOOD – The Wildwood Middle School 21st Century Community Learning Center Program completed its fourth annual local marbles tournament, with four competitors earning the right to represent the district. 
Wildwood Middle School sixth grader My’Air Henry took first place in the finals round after narrowly defeating second-place winner Paige Springer (Glenwood Avenue Elementary fifth grader) by one marble  (7-6, 7-6) in two games straight. 
The championship round May 16 featured the best out of three games of Ringer (the marbles game played in the National Marbles Tournament where the winner is the first mibster to hit seven marbles out). 
Both Henry and Springer upended the two top seeds in the semi-finals to claim the right to play in this year’s national tournament.
Two Wildwood Middle School students will be representing the district in the boys’ division in the national tournament. 
Sixth-grader Kevin Cruz edged out defending 2015 champion Oscar Sanchez (seventh grade) in the finals competition (7-5, 5-7, 7-4) to grab the top spot.  Sanchez ended in 11th position in the 2015 National Marbles Tournament. 
The annual National Marbles Tournament features mibsters from around the nation who will spend their mornings at Ringer Stadium on Wildwood’s beach June 20, 21 and 22 for a winning record that will land them in a top eight spot in the Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions and a chance for the championship title. 
The semi-finals and finals will be June 23. 
The local program began in the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program held after school at Wildwood Middle School.  Students started learning the basics of playing marbles last September, with 35 students competing during May in the Boys’ and Girls’ Preliminary Tournaments. 
Under the tutelage of Wildwood Middle/High School Physical Education teacher Betty Harshaw and retired Physical Education teacher, Jerry Seiber, the students have been working on their techniques in hopes of making it to the national tournament.