PELL CITY, Ala. - South Africa's Jeffrey Toplis, 14, and Kentucky's Kalem Tippett, 17, persevered through Sunday's chilly temperatures and gusting winds on Alabama's Logan Martin Lake to win the fourth annual Junior World Bassmaster Championship.
Each angler took home a fully rigged Triton/Mercury bass boat and $5,000 in scholarship money. A Walt Disney World experience will also be provided to the champions.
Anglers competed in two age divisions, 11-14 and 15-18. Two anglers, one from each division, fished from the same boat in the company of a Bassmaster Classic competitor. The Classic contenders will have their chance on Alabama's Lay Lake and a $500,000 top prize starting Friday.
But Sunday belonged to the JWBC contenders. All earned the right to compete in the championship by fishing events on local and regional levels.
Toplis, who traveled to Alabama from Capetown, South Africa, to compete in the event, boated two bass by working a green-pumpkin jig. It was his first time fishing with the lure.
The near-freezing temperatures were a shock to Toplis' fishing style, but the 14-year-old managed to capitalize on two bites to weigh-in 7 pounds, 4 ounces, besting 43 other contenders in his division.
"You have to fish a little slower in the States," said Toplis, whose pro partner for the day was Classic contender Edwin Evers of Oklahoma. "And with the way the weather was today, I don't think we would have even gone fishing in South Africa. But I sure am glad we went out today."
Tippett, a 17-year-old from Hanson, Ky., brought in three fish that weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces. He caught two on a spoon and one on a jerkbait, the first time he ever had boated a bass with the lure.
Tippett, who said he located fish during an outing on Logan Martin before the championship, said Sunday that his scouting trip was the key to his victory.
"It's awesome to be here, much less to win it," said the Kentucky winner, a member of the Bluegrass Junior Bassmasters. "I have been fishing since I learned to walk, and this is a huge accomplishment for me."
Tippett, who was accompanied in his boat by Classic contender Kelly Jordon of Texas, said that he hopes one day to be a pro angler on the Bassmaster Elite Series circuit, a dream shared by many youths who competed on Sunday.
The Junior World Bassmaster Championship showcases the top youth anglers in the world and provides youth anglers like Tippett and Toplis the opportunity to fish competitively under BASS.
"It's an event that continues to grow, and to see how far it has come in just four years is really amazing," said Stacy Twiggs, senior manager of the Federation Nation and youth programs. "The Federation Nations across the country have done a tremendous job to establish these youth programs."
2007 JWC - Birmingham, AL 02/18-02/18
Logan Martin Lake, Birmingham Ala.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1. Kalem Tippett Hanson, Ky. (SOU15) 3 7-08
2. Brandon Weathers St Francisville, La. ( 2 7-07
3. Geoffrey Toplis Capetown, Samoa (SOU11 2 7-04
4. Brad Rutherford Avonia, Ga. (SOU15) 2 7-00
5. Corey Lindsey Centerburg, Ohio (NOR1 1 5-07
6. Dylan Matheis Waterford, Mich. (NOR1 2 5-00
7. Christopher Baksay Easton, Conn. (EAS15) 2 4-15
8. Shane Lehew Charlotte, N.C. (SOU15 3 4-11
9. Spencer Worthington Pershing, Ind. (NOR15) 2 3-15
10. Hunter King North Platte, Neb. (CT 1 3-11
11. Justin Hamner Northport, Ala. (SOU15 2 3-07
12. Seth Garrison Fasrmington, N.M. (WES 1 3-05
12. Tom Gomez Brooklyn Park, Minn. ( 1 3-05
14. Matthew Roberts Pulaski, Iowa (NOR15) 1 3-04
15. Luke Biewick Littleton, Colo. (WES1 1 3-03
15. David Slater Spokane Valle, Wash. ( 1 3-03
17. Tyron Mortimer Johannesburg, Samoa (S 2 3-00
17. Andy Wicker Pomaria, S.C. (SOU15) 2 3-00
17. Cady Reinke Pierce, Neb. (NOR11) 1 3-00
20. Jordan Lane Clinton, Tenn. (SOU15) 1 2-14
21. Brandon Brimeyer Dubuque, Iowa (NOR11) 2 2-05
22. Jonny Schultz West Bend, Wisc. (NOR1 2 2-02
22. Jack Kidd Minden, La. (CTL15) 1 2-02
24. Hunter Reilley Edmond, Okla. (CTL11) 2 2-01
25. Derek Duvall Denham Springs, La. (C 1 2-00
26. Ryan Welch West Salem, Wisc. (NOR 1 1-15
27. Benjamin Bowen Tyngsboro, Mass. (EAS1 1 1-12
28. Austin Adkins Lufkin, Texas (CTL11) 1 1-11
28. Becky Nelson Salem, Ore. (WES15) 1 1-11
28. Chandler Young Independence, Mo. (CTL 1 1-11
31. Zach Alexander Salt Lake City, Utah ( 1 1-10
32. Shawn Grover Biddeford, Maine (EAS1 1 1-09
32. Michael Horstmeyer Ellisville, Mo. (CTL15 1 1-09
32. Eric Storms Winner, S.D. (NOR15) 1 1-09
35. Corey Rambough Meridian, Idaho (WES11 1 1-08
35. Kophen Sudduth Sulligent, Ala. (SOU11 1 1-08
37. Drew Creel Shawnee, Okla. (CTL15) 1 1-04
38. Cody Floyd San Angelo, Texas (CTL 1 1-02
38. Andrew Shaulis Hollsopple, Pa. (MID15 1 1-02
40. Clay Armstrong Missoula, Mont. (WES15 1 1-01
41. Ben Dziwulski Woodbine, Md. (MID15) 1 1-00
42. Chris Avarella Fredon, N.J. (MID11) 1 0-14
43. Tyler Alarie Eldorado, Ark. (CTL11) 0 0-00
43. Chaz Antos Wickenburg, Ariz. (WES 0 0-00
43. Kyle Black Winnsboro, S.C. (SOU11 0 0-00
43. Jason Boileau Middlebury, Conn. (EAS 0 0-00
43. David Boucher Woonsocket, R.I. (EAS1 0 0-00
43. Tyler Browning Arcadia, Fla. (SOU11) 0 0-00
43. Jesse Brummett Bend, Ore. (WES11) 0 0-00
43. Stephen Carr Lowst Grove, Va. (MID1 0 0-00
43. Colby Cotterill Lakeland, Fla. (SOU15) 0 0-00
43. Bubba Cribb Taylorsville, N.C. (SO 0 0-00
43. Nick Deering Portland, Maine (EAS11 0 0-00
43. Craig Degenkolb Burgettstown, Pa. (MID 0 0-00
43. Kyle Dunkel Wickenburg, Ariz. (WES 0 0-00
43. Alex Ferri North Providence, R.I. 0 0-00
43. Ryan Finnie Brucefield, Canada (EA 0 0-00
43. Travis Foster Westford, N.H. (EAS15) 0 0-00
43. Dj Frederick Browsville, Tenn. (SOU 0 0-00
43. Eli Frierson Poplarville, Miss. (CT 0 0-00
43. Keith Grasser Johnstown, Pa. (MID11) 0 0-00
43. Sunny Hawk Salt Lake City, Utah ( 0 0-00
43. Kyle Heels Barrie, Canada (EAS15) 0 0-00
43. Brandon Hill Portville, N.Y. (EAS11 0 0-00
43. Damon Hollandsworth Kennewick, Wash. (WES1 0 0-00
43. Cj Johnson Ocean Springs, Miss. ( 0 0-00
43. Kenny Knapp Middletown, N.Y. (EAS1 0 0-00
43. Jesse Lineberry Radford, Va. (MID11) 0 0-00
43. Joe Manley Alvaton, Ky. (SOU11) 0 0-00
43. Robert Marsh Fayetteville, Ga. (SOU 0 0-00
43. Jay Masinda Norfolk, Mass. (EAS15) 0 0-00
43. Tyler McCune St Joseph, Ill. (NOR15 0 0-00
43. Jordan McMorris Bloomfield, N.M. (WES1 0 0-00
43. Nick Mercer Newark, Ohio (NOR11) 0 0-00
43. Preston Miller Washington, Pa. (MID11 0 0-00
43. Kurt Mitchell Milford, Del. (MID11) 0 0-00
43. Heath Mullen Battle Ground, Ind. (N 0 0-00
43. Austin Neary Crofton, Md. (MID11) 0 0-00
43. Sam Nelson Hutchinson, Kan. (CTL1 0 0-00
43. Brian Pahl Wildwood, Mo. (CTL11) 0 0-00
43. Dylan Ralph Thornton, Colo. (WES11 0 0-00
43. Robert Ramasci Wakefield, Mass. (EAS1 0 0-00
43. Bryce Rowan Smackover, Ark. (CTL15 0 0-00
43. Ian Schneiderman Buhl, Idaho (WES15) 0 0-00
43. Cody Sieben Belle Plaine, Minn. (N 0 0-00
43. Rowdy Starling Whitefish, Mont. (WES1 0 0-00
43. Dan Swenson Randolph, N.J. (MID15) 0 0-00
43. Cody Varner Catlin, Ill. (CTL11) 0 0-00
--------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 0 58 123-09
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0 58 123-09
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 SOUTHERN 15-18 31-08
2 NORTHERN 15-18 19-07
3 CENTRAL 15-18 13-08
4 NORTHERN 11-14 12-07
5 CENTRAL 11-14 11-02
6 WESTERN 15-18 9-04
7 SOUTHERN 11-14 8-12
8 EASTERN 15-18 6-08
9 WESTERN 11-14 6-05
10 MID ATLANTIC 15-18 2-02
11 EASTERN 11-14 1-12
12 MID ATLANTIC 11-14 0-14
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTHERN 15-18
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 Kalem Tippett Hanson, Ky. 3 7-08
2 Brad Rutherford Avonia, Ga. 2 7-00
3 Shane Lehew Charlotte, N.C. 3 4-11
4 Justin Hamner Northport, Ala. 2 3-07
5 Tyron Mortimer Johannesburg, Samoa 2 3-00
5 Andy Wicker Pomaria, S.C. 2 3-00
7 Jordan Lane Clinton, Tenn. 1 2-14
8 Colby Cotterill Lakeland, Fla. 0 0-00
NORTHERN 15-18
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 Corey Lindsey Centerburg, Ohio 1 5-07
2 Spencer Worthington Pershing, Ind. 2 3-15
3 Tom Gomez Brooklyn Park, Minn. 1 3-05
4 Matthew Roberts Pulaski, Iowa 1 3-04
5 Ryan Welch West Salem, Wisc. 1 1-15
6 Eric Storms Winner, S.D. 1 1-09
7 Tyler McCune St Joseph, Ill. 0 0-00
7 Heath Mullen Battle Ground, Ind. 0 0-00
CENTRAL 15-18
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 Brandon Weathers St Francisville, La. 2 7-07
2 Jack Kidd Minden, La. 1 2-02
3 Michael Horstmeyer Ellisville, Mo. 1 1-09
4 Drew Creel Shawnee, Okla. 1 1-04
5 Cody Floyd San Angelo, Texas 1 1-02
6 Cj Johnson Ocean Springs, Miss. 0 0-00
6 Sam Nelson Hutchinson, Kan. 0 0-00
6 Bryce Rowan Smackover, Ark. 0 0-00
NORTHERN 11-14
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 Dylan Matheis Waterford, Mich. 2 5-00
2 Cady Reinke Pierce, Neb. 1 3-00
3 Brandon Brimeyer Dubuque, Iowa 2 2-05
4 Jonny Schultz West Bend, Wisc. 2 2-02
5 Nick Mercer Newark, Ohio 0 0-00
5 Cody Sieben Belle Plaine, Minn. 0 0-00
CENTRAL 11-14
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 Hunter King North Platte, Neb. 1 3-11
2 Hunter Reilley Edmond, Okla. 2 2-01
3 Derek Duvall Denham Springs, La. 1 2-00
4 Austin Adkins Lufkin, Texas 1 1-11
4 Chandler Young Independence, Mo. 1 1-11
6 Tyler Alarie Eldorado, Ark. 0 0-00
6 Eli Frierson Poplarville, Miss. 0 0-00
6 Brian Pahl Wildwood, Mo. 0 0-00
6 Cody Varner Catlin, Ill. 0 0-00
WESTERN 15-18
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 Seth Garrison Fasrmington, N.M. 1 3-05
2 Luke Biewick Littleton, Colo. 1 3-03
3 Becky Nelson Salem, Ore. 1 1-11
4 Clay Armstrong Missoula, Mont. 1 1-01
5 Chaz Antos Wickenburg, Ariz. 0 0-00
5 Sunny Hawk Salt Lake City, Utah 0 0-00
5 Damon Hollandsworth Kennewick, Wash. 0 0-00
5 Ian Schneiderman Buhl, Idaho 0 0-00
SOUTHERN 11-14
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 Geoffrey Toplis Capetown, Samoa 2 7-04
2 Kophen Sudduth Sulligent, Ala. 1 1-08
3 Kyle Black Winnsboro, S.C. 0 0-00
3 Tyler Browning Arcadia, Fla. 0 0-00
3 Bubba Cribb Taylorsville, N.C. 0 0-00
3 Dj Frederick Browsville, Tenn. 0 0-00
3 Joe Manley Alvaton, Ky. 0 0-00
3 Robert Marsh Fayetteville, Ga. 0 0-00
EASTERN 15-18
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 Christopher Baksay Easton, Conn. 2 4-15
2 Shawn Grover Biddeford, Maine 1 1-09
3 David Boucher Woonsocket, R.I. 0 0-00
3 Travis Foster Westford, N.H. 0 0-00
3 Kyle Heels Barrie, Canada 0 0-00
3 Kenny Knapp Middletown, N.Y. 0 0-00
3 Jay Masinda Norfolk, Mass. 0 0-00
WESTERN 11-14
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 David Slater Spokane Valle, Wash. 1 3-03
2 Zach Alexander Salt Lake City, Utah 1 1-10
3 Corey Rambough Meridian, Idaho 1 1-08
4 Jesse Brummett Bend, Ore. 0 0-00
4 Kyle Dunkel Wickenburg, Ariz. 0 0-00
4 Jordan McMorris Bloomfield, N.M. 0 0-00
4 Dylan Ralph Thornton, Colo. 0 0-00
4 Rowdy Starling Whitefish, Mont. 0 0-00
MID ATLANTIC 15-18
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 Andrew Shaulis Hollsopple, Pa. 1 1-02
2 Ben Dziwulski Woodbine, Md. 1 1-00
3 Stephen Carr Lowst Grove, Va. 0 0-00
3 Craig Degenkolb Burgettstown, Pa. 0 0-00
3 Dan Swenson Randolph, N.J. 0 0-00
EASTERN 11-14
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 Benjamin Bowen Tyngsboro, Mass. 1 1-12
2 Jason Boileau Middlebury, Conn. 0 0-00
2 Nick Deering Portland, Maine 0 0-00
2 Alex Ferri North Providence, R.I. 0 0-00
2 Ryan Finnie Brucefield, Canada 0 0-00
2 Brandon Hill Portville, N.Y. 0 0-00
2 Robert Ramasci Wakefield, Mass. 0 0-00
MID ATLANTIC 11-14
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total
1 Chris Avarella Fredon, N.J. 1 0-14
2 Keith Grasser Johnstown, Pa. 0 0-00
2 Jesse Lineberry Radford, Va. 0 0-00
2 Preston Miller Washington, Pa. 0 0-00
2 Kurt Mitchell Milford, Del. 0 0-00
2 Austin Neary Crofton, Md. 0 0-00