4 minute read
BEF | An Interview With Hayden "Mav Man" Ernst
One-on-One with HAYDEN “MAV MAN” ERNST
By Charles S. Donnavan
At just 14 years old, Hayden “Mav Man” Ernst from Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the most exciting players in Juniors.
In the short time that he has been playing pool, Ernst has racked up win after win, including making an eye-popping showing at the Billiard Education Foundation’s annual Junior Championships last year when he captured the 14U Heyball Title, 14U 9-Ball Title, 16U 8-Ball Title and 16U 10-Ball Title.
That incredible showing earned him a trip to New Zealand for the World Junior Championships, where he made it to the quarter finals, losing to the eventual winner of the tournament, Estonia’s Revo Maimre.
BCA Insider recently sat down with Ernst to talk about his burgeoning career and future in the sport.
What drew you to pool? How did you first get involved with the sport?
My grandparents always had a table at their house, and one day when I was 7 years old, I asked about it and my grandfather started teaching me.
BCA Insider: Did you take to it right away? How would you describe your talent level when you first started?
I was decent. I progressed as we kept practicing, but I was pretty good quickly. I played my grandpa and my dad shot a little bit, and they both saw that I had good skills for someone so young.
How did you go from playing at your grandparents’ house to competing in tournaments?
My first tournament happened when I was 8, and that took me to the Nationals in St. Louis. I played there, and from that experience, I just started shooting in other Junior events. Things just felt natural to me, so I was never nervous about playing. I really enjoyed going out there and playing other people.
What were some of your notable wins when you were starting out?
When I was 10, I was playing one of the Junior National Championship stops and I won that tournament and that really boosted my confidence and I started winning a lot more.
How often do you play and practice? What’s a typical week like for you?
Usually 2-3 hours on weekdays, except Wednesdays when I usually play about six hours. On the weekends, usually 5-6. I play my dad and a lot of it is just pattern play and practicing shots.
What do you do with all the trophies and plaques you win at tournaments? Do you have a place for all your mementos?
I keep everything and a lot are on my walls at home.
Do you find yourself playing a lot of the same people, and is it a friendly environment?
Everyone is competing hard and trying to win, but it’s also a friendly environment amongst the players. We’re all friends off the table. We do play a lot of the same people.
You get to travel a lot with these tournaments; do you enjoy that?
I’ve been to Puerto Rico, Austria and New Zealand and a lot of U.S. states and it’s always really interesting to see new places. I definitely like traveling.
Who do you look up to in the sport? Who are your heroes?
Shane Van Boening and Fedor Gorst are my top two. Fedor lives close to where I live so I’ve played with him a lot. I got to play Shane also.
What are your future plans in the billiard world?
I’m definitely going to continue playing. I’m going to go towards being a pro and see how good I can get.
What’s life like outside of the billiard world for you? What else do you do for fun?
School takes up most of my other time, but in my spare time, I like to watch Kentucky basketball and other sports. My school friends don’t play pool at all so we find other things to do.
Who are your sponsors?
Cuetec, Mako Tips, Level Up Junior Billiards, Onboard Sportswear, Railyard Billiards & Sports Pub and Railbirds Cue Repair & Pro Shop.
