ROGERS, Ark. (Oct. 27, 2003) - Dennis Berhorst of Holts Summit, Mo., bested 114 Boater Division competitors this weekend at the Bass Fishing League Regional tournament on Beaver Lake to win a new Chevy truck and an Evinrude- or Yamaha-powered Ranger 519VS Comanche bass boat. The postseason victory also earned him a slot in the 2004 Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League All-American, where he will compete for a top boater award of $100,000 cash.
Berhorst advanced to the regional by finishing the regular season ranked 27th in BFL Ozark Division points standings. The top 30 boaters and co-anglers in the Ozark Division competed against the top 30 Great Lakes, LBL and Okie division anglers for one of six slots in next year's All-American. They will join the top six from five other regionals plus the Chevy Trucks Wild Card for an All-American field of 42 boaters and 42 co-anglers.
Berhorst caught five bass Thursday weighing 8 pounds, 2 ounces to finish seventh, and he followed that up Friday with 5 pounds, 12 ounces to sit in the No. 6 position after day two's competition with a two-day total of 13 pounds, 14 ounces. The top six finishers after day two competed a third day for position and prize money based on their total three-day weight, and Berhorst led the field with a three-day total of 23 pounds, 12 ounces. All six automatically earned a berth to the All-American.
Rounding out the top six boaters are Mike Cooper of Branson, Mo. (22 pounds, 12 ounces, $5,000); Robert Dodson of Harrison (18 pounds, 9 ounces, $2,500); Wes Endicott of Joplin, Mo. (18 pounds, 6 ounces, $2,000); William Frisk of West Salem, Wis. (15 pounds, 8 ounces, $1,500); and Roger Fitzpatrick of Eldon, Mo. (14 pounds, 14 ounces, $1,000). Ties are resolved by day-two standings.
Berhorst also earned a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
Gene Purdy of Bentonville won an Evinrude- or Yamaha-powered Ranger boat as the Co-angler Division winner thanks to his three-day total of 15 pounds, 9 ounces. Purdy caught five bass weighing 7 pounds, 5 ounces on day one to finish first, and he finished fourth after day two thanks to a 1-pound, 13-ounce catch that set his two-day total at 9 pounds, 2 ounces. Purdy will compete for a top co-angler award of $50,000 at the 2004 All-American.
Rounding out the top six co-anglers are Bill Nowicki of Osage Beach, Mo. (12 pounds, 11 ounces, $2,500); Art Smith of Hector, Minn. (11 pounds, 9 ounces, $1,250); Richard Sneath of Pecatonica, Ill. (11 pounds, 9 ounces, $1,000); Norman Jackson of Princeton, Ky. (10 pounds, 12 ounces, $750); and Jeff McCarnan of Henderson, Ky. (8 pounds, 5 ounces, $500). Ties are resolved by day-two standings.