News Release
For additional information, please contact:
Dave Washburn, FLW Outdoors vice president of communications,
270.252.1607
Dave Simmons, 270.252.1565
Robert Cartlidge, 580.765.9031
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL GUARD JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION TO BE CROWNED JULY 31 AS PART OF
WAL-MART FLW TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP FESTIVITIES
Sixty-two anglers ages 11 to 18 to compete in National Guard Junior World
Championship
GADSDEN, Ala. (July 19, 2006) - Since the National Guard partnered with
FLW Outdoors and TBF (The Bass Federation) earlier this year, it has
stepped up in support of the youth and conservation at every opportunity,
and that commitment to the next generation of anglers will be more visible
than ever during the 2006 National Guard Junior World Championship held in
conjunction with the upcoming Wal-Mart FLW Tour Championship in
Birmingham, Ala., Aug. 2-5.
"Since its inception in 1636, the National Guard has been about
building strong communities," said Sgt 1st Class Frank O'Laughlin of
the National Guard Bureau. "In order to build strong communities you
need the help of organizations that build strong individuals. The TBF
does this by teaching character and values. It is an honor to partner
with them, as we share a similar and parallel vision. One of the most
paramount things for us to do in every community we serve is to make a
lasting, positive impression - to make a difference - and we are doing
that alongside FLW Outdoors and the TBF."
Held July 31 in advance of the $1.5 million FLW Tour Championship, the
National Guard Junior World Championship will feature 62 anglers from
31 participating TBF states. Each state will be represented by two
junior anglers: one from the 11 to 14 age bracket and another from 15
to 18 age bracket.
The junior anglers will each be paired with an FLW Tour pro for one day
of competition on Lake Neely Henry. There will be three anglers to a
boat: one junior angler from each age group plus an FLW Tour pro who
will assist the junior anglers but will not fish. The two junior
anglers will share control of the boat for the day but will compete in
separate age categories. Takeoff will be held at the Gadsden City
Launch located at 200 Lake Street in Gadsden at 8 a.m., and the
weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. at the Gadsden City Launch.
Designed to highlight some of the best up-and-coming bass-fishing
talent in the country, the National Guard Junior World Championship
also awards prizes to the top finishers in each division and provides
national recognition.
"Besides helping TBF chapters nationwide spur interest among youths in
their home states, the National Guard Junior World Championship
validates the tireless work that our chapters do on a daily basis,"
said TBF President Robert Cartlidge. "For the state federations to be
able to see their junior club members - their kids - compete in the
National Guard Junior World Championship and see them up on the FLW
Tour Championship stage, and all that goes with that, brings a
tremendous amount of satisfaction and pride, not only in the kids, but
also in each chapter's efforts on behalf of all our nation's youth."
First-place finishers in each age bracket will receive a $5,000
scholarship in addition to a sponsor merchandise package. Second place
finishers will receive $4,000 scholarships plus sponsor packages. Third
place finishers will receive $3,000 scholarships plus sponsor packages.
Fourth place finishers will receive $2,000 scholarships plus sponsor
packages. Fifth place finishers will receive $1,000 scholarships plus
sponsor packages.
Additionally, FLW Outdoors and the National Guard will award $1,000 on
behalf of the top five junior anglers in each age group to their
state's TBF chapter youth program for a total award of $10,000.
In addition to these awards, junior anglers and their families will be
treated to a variety of activities, such as the National Guard Fun
Zone, a pizza party, an awards ceremony, and seminars presented by the
Alabama Department of Fish and Game, the National Guard and others.
On Aug.1, the two junior champions will attend the FLW Tour
Championship registration meeting and banquet with 48 of the world's
top professional anglers. On Aug. 2, the top five junior anglers in
each age group will be recognized on stage at the Birmingham Jefferson
Convention Complex Arena during the opening-round weigh-in of the FLW
Tour Championship. The junior champion anglers will start the day Aug.
3 with an on-the-water photo shoot and later attend the Family Fun
Zone, signing autographs in sponsor booths just like the pros. On the
final day of competition, each junior angler champion will be provided
a chase boat in order to observe their favorite pro who is fishing for
a top prize of $500,000. The pair will also be recognized again on
stage during pre-show activities.
"Everyone has pulled together and is focused on making this event very
memorable for the junior anglers," said FLW/TBF Programs Manager David
Simmons. "The National Guard is a tremendous partner that always
strives for excellence and we appreciate that. The TBF state chapters
also deserve a lot of credit for their dedication to America's youth
and the support they provide day in and day out."
For more information about TBF Junior Angler programs, contact your
state's TBF chapter. A list of state chapters can be found at
bassfederation.com.
Junior-angler Field
Last Name First Name City, State
Taylor Hughes Remlap, AL
Nathan Sherbet Remlap, AL
Ryan Petersen Phoenix, AZ
Sterling Pfundheller Phoenix, AZ
Matt Carabello Discovery Bay, CA
Sean Alarid Oakley, CA
Kurt Mitchell Milford, DE
Anthony Asti Dover, DE
Nick Thliveros Jacksonville, FL
Colby Cotterill Lakeland, FL
Anthony Lively Lincolnton, GA
Matt Henry Conyers, GA
Anthony Avalos Kimberly, ID
Mike Walsh Jr. Burley, ID
Kyle Gates Decatur, IL
Jeremy Mull Chatham, IL
Tyler Pendygraft Greenwood, IN
Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN
Chandler Young Independence, KS
Sam Nelson Hutchinson, KS
Jacob Heibert Brandenburg, KY
Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY
Steven Littlefield Abington, MA
Danny Snow Woburn, MA
Graylan Wright Williamsport, MD
Jennifer (Nikki) Bennett La Plata, MD
Dave Saterbak Maple Grove, MN
Jarid Murphy Maple Grove, MN
Payden Hibdon Stover, MO
Blake Felix Raymore, MO
CJ Johnson Ocean Springs, MS
Brandon Bolton West Point, MS
Seth Hauseman Omaha, NB
Amanda Godfrey Candler, NC
Nick Bell Louisburg, NC
James Stewart Morganville, NJ
John Milchanoski Jr. Sewell, NJ
Eddie Levin Westerville, OH
Matt Andersen Greenfield, OH
Jonathan Jones Chickasha, OK
Trevor Mintz Shady Point, OK
Donny Blasko Johnstown, PA
David Grube Denver, PA
Lowell Turner Bradford, RI
Michael Brossi Jr. Greene, RI
Jesse Moore Cleveland, TN
Christopher Stites Smyrna, TN
Zach Alexander Salt Lake City, UT
Sunny Hawk Salt Lake City, UT
Stuart Smith Chester, VA
Josh Wagy DeWitt, VA
Patrick Inferno Fair Haven, VT
Kyle Demeritt Milton, VT
Branson Schmidt Greenacres, WA
Garret McAfee Kennewick, WA
Wells Kaiser Cuba City, WI
Joe Heitschmidt Tomahawk, WI
Nick Lambert Oceana, WV
Wil Dieffenbauch Hundred, WV
Jeremy McDonough Rock Srings, WY
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