Standing Stone State Park "Mibster" Crowned Boys National Marbles Champion
Two Other Tennesseans Place in Top Three
HILHAM, TENN. – Three Tennessee youth representing Standing Stone State Park emerged among the country’s elite marbles competitors, or “mibsters,” at the 87th Annual National Marbles Tournament held recently in Wildwood, New Jersey. The national tournament hosts kids ages 9-14 from across the country, playing the game of Ringer over the four-day competition.
Fourteen year old Corey Goolsby of Hanging Limb in Overton County won the boys national championship and was crowned the 2010 King of Marbles. First prize includes a $2,000 college scholarship and a trip back to Wildwood next year to be inducted in the National Marbles Hall of Fame.
“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’s Marble Coordinator and Interpretive Specialist.
Of all the mibster’s in the tournament, Corey found himself in the final against his cousin and neighbor, 13 year old Austin Wright, who held onto second place and secured the title of boy’s National Runner-Up. In the girl’s division, nine year old Logan Mayberry of Celina in Clay County finished third in the nation.
“Corey, Austin and Logan played extremely hard,” said Jeff Kimmell, Clay/Overton County marble coach. “All three displayed great sportsmanship and represented Clay and Overton counties, Standing Stone State Park and the state of Tennessee in a way that makes us all proud.”
Clay and Overton counties have a strong marbles program, which is supported by Standing Stone State Park. Each county has an annual marbles tournament. The county tournament finals, and open tournament finals, are played at the state park every year. The champions from each county tournament and the open tournament go to New Jersey for the national tournament, a trip made possible by community sponsors.
“There is a strong history of marbles competition in this area, as evidenced by these three exceptional young Tennesseans, and Standing Stone State Park is proud to be a part of it,” said Hughes.
In addition to supporting local tournaments, each year the park hosts the National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship and Marbles Festival.
For more information about the Standing Stone State Park marble program, tournaments and lessons, please contact Shawn Hughes at 931-823-6487 or Shawn.Hughes@tn.gov.
Standing Stone State Park and Forest covers nearly 11,000 acres on the Cumberland Plateau in north-central Tennessee. The quaint park is noted for its outstanding scenery, spring wildflowers, fossils and other natural diversity.
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