Junior Championship: Day 2 weigh-in

Posted on
Miller Dowling, left, and Chandlar Hollingsworth, right, knew they had a heavy limit of fish on Day 2 of the Costa Bassmaster Junior Championship presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. But waiting backstage, or in the hot seat as they would learn, can be a tedious task. The anglers from American Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa, Alabama waited patiently before the weigh-in to see how they would fare. Pictured, center, is Nathan Harris of the Tuscaloosa County Bassmasters Club.
Miller Dowling, left, and Chandlar Hollingsworth, right, knew they had a heavy limit of fish on Day 2 of the Costa Bassmaster Junior Championship presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. But waiting backstage, or in the hot seat as they would learn, can be a tedious task. The anglers from American Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa, Alabama waited patiently before the weigh-in to see how they would fare. Pictured, center, is Nathan Harris of the Tuscaloosa County Bassmasters Club.
The backstage area is always interesting. Here it looks like Tennessee angler David Derlak, right, is at ease while his dad Brian is worried. No worries, though. Derlak took Bassmaters.com crew out on the Carroll County 1,000 Acre Recreation Lake on Wednesday to get a bird’s eye view of the juniors doing their thing.
The backstage area is always interesting. Here it looks like Tennessee angler David Derlak, right, is at ease while his dad Brian is worried. No worries, though. Derlak took Bassmaters.com crew out on the Carroll County 1,000 Acre Recreation Lake on Wednesday to get a bird’s eye view of the juniors doing their thing.
In all, teams from 28 states and Canada traveled to Huntingdon, Tenn. to take part in the championship. The field was set at 51 teams and 101 anglers. Some came from nearby, while others traveled long distances to fish. Among them were the New Hampshire team of Cole Moulton and Ryder Whitworth. They are pictured with captain Eric Moulton.
In all, teams from 28 states and Canada traveled to Huntingdon, Tenn. to take part in the championship. The field was set at 51 teams and 101 anglers. Some came from nearby, while others traveled long distances to fish. Among them were the New Hampshire team of Cole Moulton and Ryder Whitworth. They are pictured with captain Eric Moulton.
You can’t put have a B.A.S.S. tournament with local assistance, and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce certainly did their part this week. Volunteers from the local chamber are pictured with cold cups of ice water for anglers and their fans.
You can’t put have a B.A.S.S. tournament with local assistance, and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce certainly did their part this week. Volunteers from the local chamber are pictured with cold cups of ice water for anglers and their fans.
And you absolutely can’t have a tournament without the fans – especially the parents. Here are a pair of proud mom’s who’s shirt backs say it all.
And you absolutely can’t have a tournament without the fans – especially the parents. Here are a pair of proud mom’s who’s shirt backs say it all.
And there are the ladies with Wisconsin anglers Bryce Moder and Reese Keeney.
And there are the ladies with Wisconsin anglers Bryce Moder and Reese Keeney.
There’s always a fish tale or two backstage, as well. No telling what Tennessee’s Noah Burnette is saying here, but you can imagine it goes something like “The fish was about this big.”
There’s always a fish tale or two backstage, as well. No telling what Tennessee’s Noah Burnette is saying here, but you can imagine it goes something like “The fish was about this big.”
There’s the Wisconsin team of Moder and Keeney again, this time pictured with dad and boat captain Josh Keeney. B.A.S.S. events are family affairs, for sure.
There’s the Wisconsin team of Moder and Keeney again, this time pictured with dad and boat captain Josh Keeney. B.A.S.S. events are family affairs, for sure.
Told you so. There’s Burnette again at right, with his fishing partner Zachary Taylor and his dad Jamey Taylor.
Told you so. There’s Burnette again at right, with his fishing partner Zachary Taylor and his dad Jamey Taylor.
Every B.A.S.S. junior event starts with some wise words from Hank Weldon, the senior manager of college, high school and youth fishing at B.A.S.S.
Every B.A.S.S. junior event starts with some wise words from Hank Weldon, the senior manager of college, high school and youth fishing at B.A.S.S.
And every B.A.S.S. event also begins with the National Anthem. These girls provided a great rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before a large crowd gathered for the weigh-in in downtown Huntingdon.
And every B.A.S.S. event also begins with the National Anthem. These girls provided a great rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before a large crowd gathered for the weigh-in in downtown Huntingdon.
The singing was the highlight of the day until Hollingsworth and Dowling took the stage. They boated these hefty 6-pounders on green pumpkin shaky head worms in about 15 feet of water. That helped them post the big bag of the tournament at 16 pounds, nine ounces and it gave them a two-day total of 25-12.
The singing was the highlight of the day until Hollingsworth and Dowling took the stage. They boated these hefty 6-pounders on green pumpkin shaky head worms in about 15 feet of water. That helped them post the big bag of the tournament at 16 pounds, nine ounces and it gave them a two-day total of 25-12.
Catch bass like that and yes, you take the hot seat. And it was hot in northwest Tennessee Wednesday afternoon. Ice cold water might quench the thirst, but will it calm the nerves?
Catch bass like that and yes, you take the hot seat. And it was hot in northwest Tennessee Wednesday afternoon. Ice cold water might quench the thirst, but will it calm the nerves?
Florida’s Sammy Jay Acree and Fisher Cusic were in fifth place after Day 1, but only caught one bass on Wednesday. They dropped to 19th place overall with a two-day total of 10-14.
Florida’s Sammy Jay Acree and Fisher Cusic were in fifth place after Day 1, but only caught one bass on Wednesday. They dropped to 19th place overall with a two-day total of 10-14.
The Land of 10,000 Lakes was well represented on the “Lake of 1,000 Acres.” Pictured are Minnesota’s Tyler Bahr and Troy Peterson who finished 11th overall with 14-12.
The Land of 10,000 Lakes was well represented on the “Lake of 1,000 Acres.” Pictured are Minnesota’s Tyler Bahr and Troy Peterson who finished 11th overall with 14-12.
Mississippi also fared well in the junior championship. Here’s Bradlee Parish and Tyler Guin who finished fifth with 16-9.
Mississippi also fared well in the junior championship. Here’s Bradlee Parish and Tyler Guin who finished fifth with 16-9.
There’s Whitworth and Moulder who placed sixth overall with 15-15.
There’s Whitworth and Moulder who placed sixth overall with 15-15.
Hello Wisconsin! Keeney and Moder wound up placing fourth with 18-12.
Hello Wisconsin! Keeney and Moder wound up placing fourth with 18-12.
Florida showed up too, courtesy of Brent Randall and Giancarlo Russo who finished seventh with 15-4.
Florida showed up too, courtesy of Brent Randall and Giancarlo Russo who finished seventh with 15-4.
Mason Fulmer and Marshal Robinson didn’t dance on stage, like Marshal’s dad (Elite Series pro Marty Robinson.) But their bass had all the moves. The South Carolina tandem finished ninth with 15-4, as well. Tiebreakers decided several places in the tournament, which is customary in a competitive field.
Mason Fulmer and Marshal Robinson didn’t dance on stage, like Marshal’s dad (Elite Series pro Marty Robinson.) But their bass had all the moves. The South Carolina tandem finished ninth with 15-4, as well. Tiebreakers decided several places in the tournament, which is customary in a competitive field.
North Carolina’s Nathan Canaday and Kyle Davis placed 15th of 51 teams with a two-day total of 12-8.
North Carolina’s Nathan Canaday and Kyle Davis placed 15th of 51 teams with a two-day total of 12-8.
West Virginia’s Cameron Irizarry and Logan Powell finished 20th with 10-7.
West Virginia’s Cameron Irizarry and Logan Powell finished 20th with 10-7.
Grainger Pollert and Bailey Harden of Indiana were 18th overall with 11-7.
Grainger Pollert and Bailey Harden of Indiana were 18th overall with 11-7.
Iowa’s Jacob Nekvinda and Coleton Usher impressed with a two-day total of 15-1, which was good for 10th overall.
Iowa’s Jacob Nekvinda and Coleton Usher impressed with a two-day total of 15-1, which was good for 10th overall.
Brandon Hammontree and Gunner West of Oklahoma were 12th with 14-11.
Brandon Hammontree and Gunner West of Oklahoma were 12th with 14-11.
And how about this Wisconsin duo of Austin and Dylan Haney. They boys finished eighth with 15-4.
And how about this Wisconsin duo of Austin and Dylan Haney. They boys finished eighth with 15-4.
Laindree Richardson and Trey McKinney of Illinois were 13th overall with 13-10.
Laindree Richardson and Trey McKinney of Illinois were 13th overall with 13-10.
Caleb Reynolds and Lex Thompson of Georgia had a big group of supporters to cheer on their 31st place finish. Lex’s sisters Dallis and Drew shared the encouragement on these purple and gold signs. There’s the family spirit!
Caleb Reynolds and Lex Thompson of Georgia had a big group of supporters to cheer on their 31st place finish. Lex’s sisters Dallis and Drew shared the encouragement on these purple and gold signs. There’s the family spirit!
All the while, Hollingsworth and Dowling sit quietly in the hot seats. Leave it to Hank to stoke the fires!
All the while, Hollingsworth and Dowling sit quietly in the hot seats. Leave it to Hank to stoke the fires!
“We’re getting close to end guys. You think you have enough?”
“We’re getting close to end guys. You think you have enough?”
“Because there are some really good anglers right behind you backstage.”
“Because there are some really good anglers right behind you backstage.”
North Carolina’s Ashton and Bladen Rasberry had good bass, but not nearly enough to take the lead. They finished 17th with 11-8.
North Carolina’s Ashton and Bladen Rasberry had good bass, but not nearly enough to take the lead. They finished 17th with 11-8.
Ditto for Virginia’s Jack Mutzabaugh and Eli Stendig who were 14th with 13-5.
Ditto for Virginia’s Jack Mutzabaugh and Eli Stendig who were 14th with 13-5.
That left only two teams with a chance to catch the leaders. That’s Day 1 leader Rein Golubjatnikov of New York and his dad Ken at far left, and Louisiana’s Jordan Sylvester and Jacob Tullier with Jimmy Sylvester.
That left only two teams with a chance to catch the leaders. That’s Day 1 leader Rein Golubjatnikov of New York and his dad Ken at far left, and Louisiana’s Jordan Sylvester and Jacob Tullier with Jimmy Sylvester.
But Sylvester and Tullier would fall shy of first place, and would settle for third with 21-5.
But Sylvester and Tullier would fall shy of first place, and would settle for third with 21-5.
That left only Golubjatnikov standing in between the leaders and the title.
That left only Golubjatnikov standing in between the leaders and the title.
But would the 13-year old New Yorker have enough in his bag?
But would the 13-year old New Yorker have enough in his bag?
He would not. Golubjatnikov landed five bass that weighed 7-15, which put him in second place with a two-day total of 23-12.
He would not. Golubjatnikov landed five bass that weighed 7-15, which put him in second place with a two-day total of 23-12.
Hollingsworth and Dowling are on pins and needles as they wait for Weldon to make the announcement that…
Hollingsworth and Dowling are on pins and needles as they wait for Weldon to make the announcement that…
They are the Costa Bassmaster Junior Champions for 2017. Here they are pictured with their title trophies. Captain Ben Dowling is at left.
They are the Costa Bassmaster Junior Champions for 2017. Here they are pictured with their title trophies. Captain Ben Dowling is at left.
And don’t forget the $2,000 scholarship that Collingsworth and Dowling will split by virtue of their win.
And don’t forget the $2,000 scholarship that Collingsworth and Dowling will split by virtue of their win.
Rein and Ken Golubjatnikov hold the second-place trophies.
Rein and Ken Golubjatnikov hold the second-place trophies.
Rein won a $1,000 scholarship for finishing second, and because he fished solo in the championship, he won’t split the prize.
Rein won a $1,000 scholarship for finishing second, and because he fished solo in the championship, he won’t split the prize.
Jimmy Sylvester, Jordan Sylvester and Jacob Tullier hold their third place trophies.
Jimmy Sylvester, Jordan Sylvester and Jacob Tullier hold their third place trophies.