Though some may call it beginner's luck, Geneive Jaramilla says it was all in the preparation.

"Our rookies were just stellar," said SF State senior Jaramilla, the Rack N' Cue game director. "They were nervous, but from months of practice they knew what they were doing."

Jaramilla's on-campus pool hall, along with the school, sponsored SF State Billiards Team last weekend at the annual Association of College Unions International Regional 9-Ball Tournament in San Diego.

The 10-player team lived up to its reputation with a strong showing at the event. It was those playing for the first time that propelled the men and women's group to a satisfying finish.

The biggest surprise was Juan Cheung Ho, an exchange student from Panama, who stayed confident despite being placed in a group with some of the Southwest's best players. His thin frame, short stature, and bowl cut deceived his table ferocity. From his low, intense squat he sank ball after ball until he was finally knocked out in the final rounds.

"I felt more excited to play players so good," Ho said. "I wanted to say that I am worthy to them."

Sarah Latrell turned in another outstanding rookie performance. Latrell went furthest for the woman's team but failed to make it in the top five. She works at Rack N' Cue and only started playing pool within the last year. She shocked her team with her quick progress.

"I had to struggle to be accepted with the regulars," Latrell said. "But I just kept playing more and now we all hang out all the time."

Though most students are not aware of the school's billiards team, among other colleges they are notorious for their successful performances in the annual tournament. Rack N' Cue serves as their home base where they gather almost every day to practice and hang out.

"We always role deep,"Jaramilla said.

SF State sophomore Victor Lo was the their best finisher. He ended sixth in the entire tournament, which was one place shy of qualifying for nationals. Known for his swagger, Lo was far from nervous going into the tournament and it showed.

"I just play and have fun," said Lo, the corporate finance major. "(My teammates) are a bunch of my friends."