GALLATIN, Tenn. (Sept. 22, 2003) - Van Schwendimann of Franklin caught 10 bass weighing 25 pounds, 3 ounces to win $5,138 at the Bass Fishing League Music City Division Super Bass Fishing Tournament, on Old Hickory Lake near Gallatin. Schwendimann bested 75 Boater Division competitors and earned 300 points at the tournament, which was the fifth and final Music City Division event of the regular season.
Schwendimann caught five bass Saturday weighing 11 pounds to finish first on day one and followed that up Sunday with another five bass weighing 14 pounds, 3 ounces to earn the win. Schwendimann caught his bass tournament-winning bass on a brown jig in the lower lake.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Gary Clouse of La Vergne (10 bass, 18 pounds, 14 ounces); Tim Messer of Hendersonville (eight bass, 18 pounds, 13 ounces); Greg Rollins of Monteagle (10 bass, 18 pounds, 9 ounces); and Trey Bain of Gallatin (eight bass, 15 pounds, 6 ounces).
Michael Penix of Lewisburg claimed a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
David Gnewikow of Antioch claimed $750 as the Boater Division big-bass award winner with a 5-pound, 2-ounce bass.
Mark Pirkle of Cleveland led 75 Co-angler Division competitors on day two to claim $2,569 as the Super Tournament co-angler winner. He caught one bass Saturday weighing 3 pounds, 6 ounces to finish 11th and followed that up Sunday with three bass weighing 8 pounds to earn the win. He caught his tournament-winning bass on a jig.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Danny Boggs of Fayetteville (six bass, 11 pounds); Mike Binkley of Springfield (four bass, 8 pounds, 4 ounces); Ronnie McCormick of Carthage (four bass, 7 pounds, 5 ounces); and Paul Flatt of Cookeville (three bass, 7 pounds, 5 ounces).
Bobby McMullin of Pevely, Mo., took co-angler big-bass honors and $375 with a 3-pound, 11-ounce bass.
Scotty Webster of Hendersonville is the Music City Division's Yamaha "Be the Best" points leader, winning $1,000 for the 1027 points he earned during five regular-season tournaments. Mark Brawner of Lafayette is the Yamaha "Be the Best" points leader in the Co-angler Division. He earned $500 for his division-leading 1061 points.