WILDWOOD, N.J.— Cumberland teen Ricky Brode continues to rule the rings at the 86th annual National Marbles Tournament.

Brode, 14, finished the third day of competition with 45 wins, three losses and eight sticks — marbles equivalent to a baseball shut-out, as he heads into the semifinals.

He has been to the national marbles tournament six times and, in his last year, hopes to stay on top and come out as champion.

“It feels great,” Brode said after Wednesday’s play wrapped up. “It’s my last year here so I just want to win and be done with it.”

And though he has ranked first for all three days of the tournament, the local teen isn’t letting that go to his head.

“Yeah, I’m nervous,” he said. “I’m in first so everyone wants to beat me. Today I’ll just practice different shots and angles that I’ve been having some trouble with.”

And Renee Mawhinney, Brode’s coach, has given him a little more incentive to play hard during the semifinals.

“I told him that if he wins, he gets to throw me in the pool,” she said.

Also representing Cumberland at the national tournament was his sister Brianna Brode, 9, and Braden Brown, 10. Brianna Brode finished up the competition in 17th place with 10 wins and 26 losses; Brown also finished in 17th place with 19 wins and 29 losses.

The mibsters, ages 8 to 14, will be competing with marble players from across the country for national honors, college scholarships, prizes and awards during the four-day competition in Wildwood. The competition began Monday and will continue through Thursday.

The marble game played in the tournament is called ringer. It is played by placing 13 marbles in the form of an “X” in a 10-foot circle with players alternating shots. The winner is the player who is first to shoot seven marbles out of the ring.

More than 1,200 games will be played, with the top eight shooters advancing to the semifinal competition; the top two will compete in a best of 15 series for the championship.

The victorious boy and girl will each receive a $2,000 scholarship for higher education, a plaque and prizes. In addition to the two tournament winners, one boy and one girl will be awarded the title of Best Sport along with a $500 scholarship. This title will be chosen by the referees.

The Brode siblings won their right to travel to New Jersey after winning their division at the city’s annual tournament. Brown was named “outstanding shooter” in the city tournament, which also gave him the opportunity to travel to the national competition.

The Cumberland team is sponsored by the Cumberland Lions Club, Cumberland Holiday Inn and Curves in LaVale.

Contact Tess Hill at thill@times-news.com.