9Ball Tournament in Memory of Claude “Claudie” Peterson

Mahkeal R. Parris was born on June 12, 2002 to the the proud parents of Debra and Glenn Parris, on the island of St. Croix US Virgin Islands. Mahkeal is the youngest of 7 siblings. At the early age of five, Mahkeal was introduced to the sport of pool/ Billiards and was then the introduced to the late Mr. Claude Petersen, who coached him until his passing  in 2017. Before Mr. Petersen passing, he asked Mr. Jerome Anthony to continue as Mahkeal’s coach and he is still presently his coach today.

Mahkeal  is currently an 11th grade student at the St. Croix central High School.
He plans to attend a University that offers Billiards while pursuing a career in Computer Engineering.

In 2011 Mahkeal became a member of the Billiards Education Foundation, he is the first and only Virgin Islander to become a member of this prestigious organization.  From 2011 to present  he has been traveling every summer to compete in the Junior Nationals.

Accomplishments:
2011  1st place 8 ball Junior Tournament in Tortola BVI
2012  MVP Virgin Islands Billiards Association- team Gold Builders
2014  Honored by Housing Parks & Recreation
2014  Honored by Allan Burke Foundation
2016  2nd place Junior Nationals 9 ball tournament in Schaumburg, Il
2016  Participated in the Junior World Nationals held in Shanghai, China
2018  4th place Junior Nationals 9 ball Tournament in New Orleans
2018  MVP Virgin Islands Billiards Association – Team Defenders
2018  Winner Virgin Islands Billiards Association- Best Player shoot out
2018  Winner of the Junior under 17 World Nationals held in Moscow, Russia

Mahkeal has become the first U.S Virgin Islander and and first American male to win the the World Champion title.