Professional cornhole player Ryker Wells celebrates accomplishments

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A local man has proven himself a force to be reckoned with in the professional cornhole world.

Ryker Wells has been playing cornhole for five years, spending the last four competing at a professional level. Cornhole is a type of lawn game where contestants toss small bean bags at an inclined board with a hole cut in it.

Wells won his singles bracket at the first American Cornhole League signature competition in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, earlier this month. He placed third overall in the competition.

Wells credits his uncle for encouraging him to start playing.

"My uncle, he called me one day and he was like 'Hey, come down to the bar, they're having a cornhole tournament,' and I was like 'What's that?'" Wells said. "So I went down there and I played and I sucked, but I was like 'Man, this game can be pretty fun.' So then I just practiced a lot, and then here I am."

Wells said he has fun playing and feels it's something others would enjoy as well.

"I'm just here to grow the game and just have a good time and make sure other people also have fun," Wells said.

There are five more signature ACL competitions this spring and summer, and the 2025 ACL World Championships will take place from July 28 to Aug. 3 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.