ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2010) - SFC Charles Lackey and Brad Tressler partnered with Ranger pro John Smith and FLW College Fishing angler Garrett Farmer to win the FLW Soldier Appreciation Tournament held on Lake Monroe Saturday, Oct.23, 2010. The team caught one bass weighing 5 pounds, 3 ounces to take the title and bragging rights amongst their peers.
The second place team of SFC Barry Tressler, Ranger pro Joe Broniszewski, FLW College Fishing angler Jed Thigpen and Zachery Lackey caught one bass weighing 1 pound, 11 ounces. They were the only other team to bring fish to the scales.
"We caught our fish with a Rat-L-Trap." said Brad Tressler, President, Central Florida Community College. "This was the first tournament that I have ever fished in and it was unbelievable. My legs didn't stop shaking for five minutes after I landed the fish, it put up a pretty good fight too.
"My dad and uncle, who also fished in this tournament, both serve in the National Guard and I am so proud to be a part of that lineage," Tressler added.
"This was a great event," said SFC Jeff Lackey. "It was slow on the water; we didn't get our first bite until 11:15, but what a great experience we had."
FLW Outdoors supplied the boats and equipment needed for the tournament where each team of four was allowed to bring in three bass. FLW Outdoors is operating the tournaments in conjunction with the National Guard to show appreciation to our service members of the National Guard.
Tied for third place were:
3rd: SS John Wilkes, pro Neil Combs, FLW College Fishing angler Drew Underwood and Randy Jessee
3rd: FL Trent Glasshoff, Cadet Andrew Angoli, pro Fay Rowles, and FLW College Fishing angler, Wesley Maples
3rd: SFC Stacy Michael, pro Jim Orecchio and FLW College Fishing angler Dustin Holland
3rd: Cadet Russell Higgens, Cadet William Potter, pro Richard Havolottie and FLW College fishing angler Zachery Dixon