AOY registration: Top 5 contenders

The AOY trophy awaits the point’s leader after this week’s Bassmaster Elite Series Toyota Angler of the Year tournament on Lake Michigan. Five competitors have the best shot at taking the title.

The AOY trophy awaits the point’s leader after this week’s Bassmaster Elite Series Toyota Angler of the Year tournament on Lake Michigan.  Five competitors have the best shot at taking the title.
The AOY trophy awaits the point’s leader after this week’s Bassmaster Elite Series Toyota Angler of the Year tournament on Lake Michigan. Five competitors have the best shot at taking the title.
Greg Hackney leads the point’s battle…
Greg Hackney leads the point’s battle…
…and comes into the final tournament on a roll.
…and comes into the final tournament on a roll.
Hackney won the last Elite Series event…
Hackney won the last Elite Series event…
 …held on New York’s Cayuga Lake.
…held on New York’s Cayuga Lake.
Hackney holds a 15 point lead over 2nd place competitor…
Hackney holds a 15 point lead over 2nd place competitor…
Aaron Martens.
Aaron Martens.
Martens is the defending 2013 AOY champion…
Martens is the defending 2013 AOY champion…
…and similar to this season, went into the final event last year on Lake St. Clair in 2nd place.
…and similar to this season, went into the final event last year on Lake St. Clair in 2nd place.
Martens was able to run down point’s leader Edwin Evers on Lake St. Clair…
Martens was able to run down point’s leader Edwin Evers on Lake St. Clair…
…and secure his second AOY title.
…and secure his second AOY title.
Todd Faircloth stands 3rd in the points, and is no stranger Angler of the Year contention.
Todd Faircloth stands 3rd in the points, and is no stranger Angler of the Year contention.
Faircloth came in 2nd to Kevin VanDam during the 2008 Elite Series season…
Faircloth came in 2nd to Kevin VanDam during the 2008 Elite Series season…
…and is a four-time Elite Series champion.
…and is a four-time Elite Series champion.
Keith Combs is tied for 4th in the AOY point’s standings.
Keith Combs is tied for 4th in the AOY point’s standings.
Combs has three Top 20 finishes this year, including two Top 10’s,
Combs has three Top 20 finishes this year, including two Top 10’s,
and secured his first Elite Series victory last year on Falcon Lake.
and secured his first Elite Series victory last year on Falcon Lake.
Jacob Powroznik is tied with Keith Combs for 4th in the AOY standings.
Jacob Powroznik is tied with Keith Combs for 4th in the AOY standings.
This is Powroznik’s rookie season on the Elite Series, and it’s been a strong campaign.
This is Powroznik’s rookie season on the Elite Series, and it’s been a strong campaign.
Powroznik is the 2014 Elite Series Rookie of the Year.
Powroznik is the 2014 Elite Series Rookie of the Year.
He won this year’s event held on Toledo Bend, and has finished in the money…
He won this year’s event held on Toledo Bend, and has finished in the money…
…in 11 of the 12 B.A.S.S. events he has fished.
…in 11 of the 12 B.A.S.S. events he has fished.