There are several races in this tournament that are getting lots of attention. The now very tight Toyota Angler of the Year competition, who qualifies for the AOY Championship, who’s in a good position for the Classic, not to mention the guys who are struggling to requalify for the Elite Series, and others who badly need to make a check. But there’s another compelling battle taking place on Lake St. Clair between the hottest two rookies of the season for the title of Toyota Rookie of the Year.
Coming into this tournament Alabama angler Dustin Connell led the ROY race, with New York native Jamie Hartman right behind him in second. After Day 1 they switched places. Hartman had 19 pounds 11 ounces, putting him in 17 place in this tournament and 9th place in AOY points. Connell had 18 pounds 5 ounces yesterday for 41st place in the tournament, and 10th in AOY.
Hartman has 690 AOY points and Connell has 686. Both anglers have had fantastic seasons so far, and I believe the ROY title matters a lot to both of them. Backstage yesterday Connell was upset because he believed he had only 14 pounds. Onstage he learned he actually had more than 18 pounds, and the young pro was elated. That gives you a glimpse into the quickly changing emotional highs and lows an angler experiences during an important career battle.