Aaja Jalbert isn’t your typical 8th grade girl. In her free time, she plays darts. She has been competing in tournaments like the Port City Open, Seacoast Open, Witch City Open, Sunday River Open, White Mountains and the Charlotte Open. Jalbert said, “I place well in the youth events, and recently I have been shooting in the ladies singles, making usually top 16.”
Her father Aaron, who is in the top 10 of ADO (American Darts Organization) points in the U.S., introduced her to the sport when she was younger. She began to take it more seriously about a year and a half ago. Jalbert typically shoots for at least an hour a day, specifically practicing her cricket numbers and doubles. “I enjoy playing darts because it is more then just throwing at the bullseye, it’s going around the board.”
Photo credit Aaron JalbertJalbert attended the Youth National Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 14. She shared, “In total, there were nine girls shooting to win a trip to England to shoot in the World Masters.” They played against each other in a round robin tournament, and after tying for first with twelve winning legs, it was on to the finals.
“I played Cricket Wilkes, it was best of seven, and that was the most nerve racking moment of my life,” she said. It was a stressful back and forth match with Wilkes winning the first leg and Jalbert winning the next three. Wilkes came back to win the next two legs. It all came down to the last leg. Wilkes “busted,” meaning she reduced the score to one or went below zero to immediately end her turn. This allowed Jalbert another chance to come back: she hit a double 10 to become the Youth National Champion.
“I will be going to England in October to compete in the Girls Youth World Masters to try and become the best in the world! I am currently first in the country, and 19th in the world!”
In order to prepare for Worlds, Jalbert shoots against her father and stepmother Melissa, who is a Maine State Champion. She said, “Sometimes you mess up, but good things come out of it, and it’s fun to throw at things you wouldn’t normally throw at.”