MINOOKA — After a full day of head-to-head Pokémon Trading Card Game battles, Joey Ruettiger, 10, clinched second place at the 2012 Minnesota Pokémon State Championship, earning a top state ranking and Championship Points that count toward playing in premier events later this year.

Top finishers from the Minnesota Pokémon State Championship, including Joey, earned championship points that help gain entry into high-level events, including this June’s 2012 Pokémon U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis, Ind., and the 2012 Pokémon World Championships.