Jan was introduced to
pool at the age of nine. She was baby-sitting her niece and nephew and a pool
table was in the basement. She never knew where the kids were, but she knew
she like to play pool. She didn't play pool again until she was 19 years old,
where she played socially with friends. She met a man in the game room she
frequented, who asked her out on a date. He was a friend of a friend, so she
went. They began dating, and he took her to many poolrooms in many different
areas.
She began traveling
across the country watching her boyfriend compete in pool matches, and unknowingly
learning more and more about the game.
In 1984, while watching her boyfriend play pool in Las Vegas, Jan got bored
and went to a table to play by herself. After cajoling her boyfriend for some
help, he set up a couple of shots and she executed them perfectly. The next
day he set up a money game for her. She won $160 in about an hour and a half
and he was a believer.
In 1985, she entered in her first competitive event, the "Miller Lite
World Series of Pool". She placed 9th out of 756 amateur women players.
In 1986, she played in her first professional even, the "California Mixed
9-Ball Open", where she finished 17th. However, Jan was really tired
of her life on the road and the lifestyle she was living. Jan confided that
in a convention with Robin Bell (Dodson). The next day Robin gave her a bible
and invited her to church.
In 1987, Jan moved in with Robin and her family and quit playing pool. She
became a born again Christian and started going to bible studies. Her life
was changed.
With a new heart and attitude, she returned to the game two and a half years
later. She participated in local ladies events and won many. She continued
playing on a regional level until she was approached by the owner of a prestigious
club in Hollywood, and offered sponsorship. She became the house pro for the
"Hollywood Athletic Club", doing trick shots and challenge matches
for many movie rap parties, running celebrity tournaments, and charity events.
"I was getting paid real well to go to these parties and have fun with
celebrities!" Jan explained. They also sponsored her first year on the
WPBA pro tour in 1993. During that year, she had 5th place finish to earn,
not only her pro status, but touring Pro as well. She finished that year a
top 16 ranked, seeded player.
She continued to excel, reaching a high ranking of 13. In 1995, she took
some time off and married custom cuemaker Jerry McWorter, and gave birth to
a son, Ryan Myles. She also has an older son, Jacob.
Jan has been in many commercials, two movies, and doubled for a number of
movie stars, including Michelle Pfeiffer in the movie trailer of "Dangerous
Minds". She's also worked on TV shows, talk shows, and does pool exhibitions.
