Nico Mireles's Cornhole Biography

Paul Hardie

I am ACL Pro Paul Hardie from the Southeast Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the ACL. Like everyone, I started playing in the backyard and BBQ’s. I always have been athletic and played all sports, then a good friend of mine Kevin McCord got a set of boards and challenged me to this new game and just kept beating my Butt. So he made me a set of Michigan CH boards and beating me didn’t come that easy anymore. I knew nothing about tournament CH and about 3 yrs ago, 2017, I saw a blind draw at a local bar called Mugs and Jugs (the home of CornHole Life/CornHole USA) and did pretty good in it. I also met some great people like Kevin Smith Jr and Tex Christman, who told me about the ACL and how they traveled all over playing and said I should come check it out. So I did and played in all Regional's, Conference’s and Nationals. But I did not play 1 competitive level game ever. I always played everything in the advanced level from the start and like with Kevin McCord, I got my butt whooped by them but managed to put together some great tourneys with some awesome finish’s

Chris Cuccia

I am ACL Pro Chris Cuccia from the Southeast Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the ACL. Jimmy Buffet tailgate 13 years ago. From the first bag I was hooked! My wife and I played together and got whooped all day. They were spinning the bag!!! We bought a set the next day and found our first tournament that weekend. I pulled one of the best players aside and got a lesson and watched most of the day. Haven't stopped playing since.

Cameron Pressley

I am ACL Pro Cameron Pressley from the Carolina Conference and this is my story of how and when I started playing cornhole and worked my way up to an ACL Pro. I started playing cornhole a little over 3 years ago. My entire family would go to local blind draws and I could ever partake due to work. I finally left that job and got to go and never looked back after that.

Pj Sarro

I am ACL Pro PJ Sarro from the Northeast Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the American Cornhole League. I probably started like everyone else did , in the backyard at cookouts messing around over a few drinks , then my dad decided to raise money for the VFW that he worked at by having a cornhole tournament. A local board maker let him borrow boards for being able to put a table up to showcase his company in return, 2 guys showed up and cleaned up on all of us only giving up 2 points the whole tournament ( happened to be against me and my partner ). After the tournament one of those guys came up to be and said “ why haven’t I seen you around before you're pretty good” my response was “ I didn’t know cornhole was a thing outside of cookouts” , fast forward about 2-3 months I went to a byop tournament being held by the guys that let us borrow there boards, let’s just say it didn’t go to well,I then thought damn I’m not that good at this so i started to practice a little here and a little there. Until our Regional singles tournament which was a split tournament doubles were in one spot and singles was the next day on the marina where they film Wicked Tuna , so I went and played and finished 5th in singles just in the money. The hard work is starting to pay off , so I continued to play in every weekly blind draw and every tournament I can make and here I am now fast forward a year being able to sign Pro with the ACL

Derrick Mentzer

I am ACL Pro Derrick Mentzer from the Atlantic Conference and this is my story of how and when I started playing cornhole and worked my way up to an ACL Pro. Started out in a back yard and it took off from there

Jackie Sayasone

I am ACL Pro Jackie Sayasone from the Midwest Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the American Cornhole League. I was playing at a local bar league, when I met some players that told me about a blind draw event. I thought I was good at cornhole because I was the one who always won at backyard parties or tailgates. So I showed up to my first ACL event and kind of laughed at everyone that had their own bags.
Well, I got my butt whooped and was annoyed. I didn't want to see the disappointment when a player drew me, lol -so as competitive as I am, I decided to buy my own set of bags and practice on my own time. It took me a week to get it all down. Since then I just kept growing as a player. I went out to compete at the World Championships last season, there was a really strong, and special cornhole culture there, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that vibe. Eight months later, here I am! :)

Michael Ferreira

I am Michael Ferreira ACL Pro from the Southeast Conference and this is my story of how and when I started playing cornhole and worked my way up to an ACL Pro. I got started in the game during my senior year of high school. What started out as a friendly bet against my teacher turned into an obsession and now seven years later I am now in my third year as an ACL PRO. This game has brought me all around the United States and Canada which is more than I ever thought would happen.

John Fuentez

I am ACL Pro John Fuentez from the Mid-West Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the ACL.

About 16-17 yrs ago we had an adult wiffle ball league in my home town. They always had boards on the side lines. Peaked the interest obviously. The older man that owned the land we played on was always beating up on everybody. His name was Ronnie Mac. He was the only one, well the only one I remember at least, with that perfect spinning flat bag. Back then I held the bag on the corner and flipped it. I was good, but inconsistent depending on how the bag landed. So after playing there all the time, we of course decided to make our own boards so we could play more often. Then it just became what we did at all family stuff and most weekends. In the beginning there was never a thought of becoming a professional cornhole player..... but look at me now. I love this sport. I mainly love the people. The cornhole family is amazing. Don't know what I would do without it. There is nothing better in life than walking into a tournament on opening day and hearing the sound of hundreds of bags hitting the boards.