Submitted

When marbles competitors from across the nation, nicknamed “mibsters,” met at this summer’s 87th annual National Marbles Tournament, three young Clay County/Overton County students representing Standing Stone State Park emerged among the elite.

The National Marbles Tournament originated in 1922 in Philadelphia, Penn., making it the nation’s oldest surviving contest for kids. Each year, the best marble player’s ages 8 to 14 from around the country have practiced all year and travel to Wildwood, NJ, to compete in the game of Ringer for the title of the National Marble Champion.  Not only are they playing to become the Best Marble Player in the US, they can also earn a scholarship to the college of their choice.

This year Corey Goolsby, 14, of Hanging Limb, TN won the boys national championship at the 87th National Marbles Tournament in Wildwood, NJ, Austin Wright, 13, of Hanging Limb, TN held onto second place and secured the title of boy’s national runner-up.

In the girls division, Logan Mayberry, 9, of Celina, TN finished in third place.

“I want to congratulate Corey on his national championship and for continuing Standing Stone State Park’s winning marble tradition,” said Shawn Hughes, Standing Stone State Park’s Park Interpretive Specialist.

Corey, along with being crown the “2010 King of Marbles”, he won a $2,000 college scholarship, trophies, and a trip back to Wildwood next year to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“Congratulations also to Austin Wright for being the boy’s national runner-up. I also want to thank Logan Mayberry for competing well throughout the week and finishing with a national ranking of third in the nation.”

“Corey, Austin, and Logan played extremely hard!” stated Brian Cherry, Clay/Overton County marble coach.  “All three displayed great sportsmanship and represented Clay/Overton County, Standing Stone State Park, and the State of Tennessee in a way that would make us all proud of them.”

On average, in Clay, nearly 150 kids participate in the countywide tournament.  Each of the elementary and middle schools in Clay has court where kids can practice.  And, in Overton, nearly 900 kids participate annually in the tournament.  Shawn Hughes, a ranger at Standing Stone, was the organizer of the tournament.  The county and open tournament finals are played a Standing Stone State Park.

After the finals the two county champions and one open tournament champion went to New Jersey for the nationals.

In order to get to the national tournament, the marble players depend on all of their sponsors who take care of the expenses of getting to New Jersey. “Without their sponsorship, these kids wouldn’t be able to go,” said Jeff Kimmell, Clay / Overton County marble coach.

“You do not have to ‘sell’ marbles competitions to anyone in this area, said Kimmell.  “All the dads and granddads have been playing Rolley Hole marbles all their lives.”

Standing Stone State Park has a history of marbles competition. Each year the park hosts the National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship and Marbles Festival every year.  But Rolley hole is a different game from Ringer marbles.

By the end of June, Clay and Overton counties had raised enough to send the three competitors to Wildwood, N.J., on the 14-hour drive up North.

For Corey, Austin, and Logan, the trip was a repeat performance and knew what to expect.  This was Austin’s third year and Corey and Logan’s second year to have won the county/open championships and traveled to the Jersey Shore.  All, again, got to see the boardwalk, ride the carnival rides, and stay in motel rooms that had ocean views.  And, of course, they got to play marbles.

“We are so happy for Corey in reaching his goal of a National Championship, but we are already looking forward to next year,” stated Kimmell.  “Austin and Logan know the ropes and have their eyes set on the championship.”  For 14-year-old, Corey, after being crowned champion this was his final year of eligibility.  “Corey is a great kid and marble player that plans to be active in helping coach future marble champions for years to come.”

For more information about SSSP Marble Program, tournaments, and lessons, please contact Shawn Hughes, Standing Stone State Park’s Interpretive Specialist at 931-823-6487 or [email protected].