For additional information, please contact:
Dave Washburn, communications director, (270) 252-1607
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHAW WINS WAL-MART BASS FISHING LEAGUE SUPER TOURNAMENT ON OHIO RIVER
GOLCONDA, Ill. (Sept. 16, 2002) – Wayne Shaw of Urbana, Ill., topped 96
Boater Division competitors on the Ohio River this weekend with a
five-bass catch weighing 9 pounds, 4 ounces. He earned $5,998 and 300
points for the win at the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Illini Division
season finale.
After qualifying for the final round of the two-day Super Tournament
in 14th place with an opening-day catch of four bass weighing 5 pounds,
12 ounces, Shaw out-fished runner up Bill Walker of Mulkeytown, Ill., by
7 ounces to take the win. Shaw caught his limit on day two using a jig
in 2 to 5 feet of water. He also earned a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats
as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive
program.
Walker qualified for the final round in 11th place with four bass
weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces and finished up with a five-bass catch
weighing 8 pounds, 13 ounces to win $2,999.
Danny Livingston of Advance, Mo. (five bass, 6 pounds, 6 ounces,
$1,624); John Wright of Shelbyville, Ill. (five bass, 6 pounds, 5
ounces, $1,375); and Mike Deushane of East Peoria, Ill., (four bass, 6
pounds, 4 ounces, $1,125) rounded out the top five boaters.
Jeff Turner of Plainfield, Ill., won the boater big-bass award and
collected $960 with a 4-pound bass.
Andy Allen of Newton, Ill., topped 96 competitors in the Co-Angler
division to take first place and $2,999 thanks to a final-round catch of
three bass weighing 5 pounds, 4 ounces. Second place in the division and
$1,499 went to Chris Miller of Neoga, Ill., with a four-bass catch
weighing 5 pounds, 3 ounces, followed by Robert McWhorter of Belleville,
Ill., in third place with three bass weighing 4 pounds worth $812.
Randy Spurlock of Vienna, Ill., won the co-angler big-bass award of
$480 with a 3-pound, 3-ounce bass.
Walker is the Illini Division’s Yamaha “Be the Best” points leader,
winning $1,000 for the 1,021 points he earned during five regular-season
tournaments. Dave Dobill of Royalton, Ill., is the Yamaha “Be the Best”
points leader in the Co-angler Division. He earned $500 for his
division-leading 965 points.
The top 30 boaters and top 30 co-anglers in the Illini Division will
advance to regional competition presented by Yamaha Oct. 15-19 on
Kentucky Lake near Gilbertsville, Ky., where they will go up against top
competitors from the Great Lakes, Hoosier and Michigan divisions for a
shot at qualifying for the BFL All-American, one of the most lucrative
postseason tournaments in competitive angling.
2002 BFL awards could reach $7 million based on full fields.
Sponsors of the 2002 Wal-Mart BFL are Wal-Mart, ALPO Pet Foods, BC
Powder, BFGoodrich Tires, Castrol, Chevy Trucks, Conseco, Energizer,
EverStart Batteries, Evinrude, Faded Glory, Frito-Lay, FujiFilm, Garmin,
Kellogg’s, Land O’Lakes, Minn Kota, Newell Rubbermaid, Pepsi, Poulan,
Ranger Boats, Shop-Vac, Snickers, Stanley Works, Stren, U.S. Bank, Weed
Eater and Yamaha Outboards.