Pennsylvania hosts CastingKids championship

Anglers in three age divisions took home scholarships and prizes after the Pennsylvania state championship for CastingKids.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Around 400 spectators gathered July 26 at the Bass Pro Shops store in Harrisburg to watch youngsters cast for scholarships in the Pennsylvania B.A.S.S. Nation CastingKids State Championship.

Eighty-two kids competed in this year’s event, conducted by the Capital City Bassmasters club.

“Our club hosts the championship every year, and we host about 90 percent of the competitions out of Bass Pro Shops,” said Bob Herman, Capital City Bassmasters president.

“We run about eight contests on eight different weekends at Bass Pro Shops in Harrisburg.”

Herman said the club also holds contests at schools, Boy Scouts events and the three-day Carlisle Sports & Outdoor Show.

The state champions in each age group received a scholarship check from Carlisle Sports & Outdoor Show and Sutliff Chevrolet ($250 for the 7- to 10-year-olds and 11- to 13-year-olds age divisions, $500 for the winner in the 14- to 17-year-olds group), a trophy from the Pennsylvania B.A.S.S. Nation, and a rod-and-reel combo from Bass Pro Shops. The second- and third-place finishers received a trophy and rod-and-reel combo.

Marshall Pleslanko of Harrisburg won the youngest age group, followed by Trey Marco and Matthew Ward. Michaela Cameron of Shippensburg won the middle age division, with Sky Byrem and Jonah Hancock in second and third place.

In the oldest age group, Dusten Wevodau of Dauphin won first place. Behind him were Ben Rifflard and Trey Smith.