Nation: One last night in Monroe

On the last night of the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, competitors and their families attended the final banquet, in which the event's top anglers were honored.

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B.A.S.S. Nation competitors and their families gather for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship awards banquet. From left to right are Strati Orphanides of Zimbabwe, Japie and Elandi Botha of South Africa, Kerry Orphanides, MoMo Wilson, Ian MacDonald of Illinois and his brother, Chase MacDonald.
B.A.S.S. Nation competitors and their families gather for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship awards banquet. From left to right are Strati Orphanides of Zimbabwe, Japie and Elandi Botha of South Africa, Kerry Orphanides, MoMo Wilson, Ian MacDonald of Illinois and his brother, Chase MacDonald.
Delane and Tim Johnston join Albert Collins, Waine and Lori Pittman, and Neil and Heidi Engelbrecht at their dinner table.
Delane and Tim Johnston join Albert Collins, Waine and Lori Pittman, and Neil and Heidi Engelbrecht at their dinner table.
Southern Division champion and Classic qualifier Coby Carden poses for a photo with his wife, Jennifer, and their two kids, Caston and Chloe.
Southern Division champion and Classic qualifier Coby Carden poses for a photo with his wife, Jennifer, and their two kids, Caston and Chloe.
The Japanese representative Koji Kuroda and his support team laugh along with B.A.S.S. Nation editor Tyler Wade.
The Japanese representative Koji Kuroda and his support team laugh along with B.A.S.S. Nation editor Tyler Wade.
Presidents and youth directors from Massachusetts, Oregon, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Minnesota chat with B.A.S.S. Nation coordinator Emily Hand.
Presidents and youth directors from Massachusetts, Oregon, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Minnesota chat with B.A.S.S. Nation coordinator Emily Hand.
Jon Stewart, director of B.A.S.S. Nation, welcomes the anglers and their families to a celebratory dinner following championship week.
Jon Stewart, director of B.A.S.S. Nation, welcomes the anglers and their families to a celebratory dinner following championship week.
Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer speaks about the triumphs of the championship week and prepares to hand out awards.
Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer speaks about the triumphs of the championship week and prepares to hand out awards.
“I always look forward to coming to the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship,” said Mercer. “It’s really like a family.”
To help announce B.A.S.S.'s premier sponsors, Mercer asks for help from the B.A.S.S. Nation crowd.
To help announce B.A.S.S.’s premier sponsors, Mercer asks for help from the B.A.S.S. Nation crowd.
Troy Diede, representing South Dakota, is honored as the Northern Division Classic contender.
Troy Diede, representing South Dakota, is honored as the Northern Division Classic contender.
Doug Brownridge, of Canada, was given an award for finishing in 10th place in the championship.
Doug Brownridge, of Canada, was given an award for finishing in 10th place in the championship.
Randy Huffman, of West Virginia, shakes Stewart's hand as he is presented with the eighth-place award.
Randy Huffman, of West Virginia, shakes Stewart’s hand as he is presented with the eighth-place award.
Albert Collins, representing Texas, receives the award for finishing in seventh place.
Albert Collins, representing Texas, receives the award for finishing in seventh place.
Steve Lund, from Arizona, is presented the award for becoming the 2015 Western Division Classic qualifier.
Steve Lund, from Arizona, is presented the award for becoming the 2015 Western Division Classic qualifier.
Daniel Gray, of Pennsylvania, is awarded for his fifth-place finish.
Daniel Gray, of Pennsylvania, is awarded for his fifth-place finish.
Teb Jones, representing Mississippi, receives his Central division Classic qualifier plaque.
Teb Jones, representing Mississippi, receives his Central division Classic qualifier plaque.
Jeff Lugar, of Virginia, returns to the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic representing the Mid-Atlantic division.
Jeff Lugar, of Virginia, returns to the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic representing the Mid-Atlantic division.
Carden, representing Alabama, makes his way to the stage to accept his Classic qualification with his family in tow.
Carden, representing Alabama, makes his way to the stage to accept his Classic qualification with his family in tow.
Mercer welcomes Paul Mueller, 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation champion, to the podium.
Mercer welcomes Paul Mueller, 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation champion, to the podium.
Mueller waves to the applauding crowd.
Mueller waves to the applauding crowd.
Lugar, who is the defending champion, says a few words about Mueller. The two have become friends since they competed in the Classic together last year. 2013 champion Lugar hands off the trophy to the new champion.
Lugar, who is the defending champion, says a few words about Mueller. The two have become friends since they competed in the Classic together last year. 2013 champion Lugar hands off the trophy to the new champion.
“Paul is a stand-up guy,” said Lugar. “When he talks about his faith, he really means it. He walks the walk.”
Lugar leads the audience in another round of applause ...
Lugar leads the audience in another round of applause …
... and then hands off the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Trophy to him.
… and then hands off the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Trophy to him.
Two champions, two Classic competitors.
Two champions, two Classic competitors.
Mueller thanks everyone for their support. Mueller says he is excited and grateful to be returning to the Bassmaster Classic.
Mueller thanks everyone for their support. Mueller says he is excited and grateful to be returning to the Bassmaster Classic.
“This is incredible,” said Mueller after his win. “I’ve been thinking about the Bassmaster Classic all year. Anytime you get a chance to fish against the best in the sport, it’s amazing.”
“This is incredible,” said Mueller after his win. “I’ve been thinking about the Bassmaster Classic all year. Anytime you get a chance to fish against the best in the sport, it’s amazing.”
Paul Mueller is the only angler from Connecticut to win the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship since Bryan Kerchal did it in 1994 ...
Paul Mueller is the only angler from Connecticut to win the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship since Bryan Kerchal did it in 1994 …
... a fact that Sylvia Morris, Connecticut B.A.S.S. Nation president, knows all too well.
… a fact that Sylvia Morris, Connecticut B.A.S.S. Nation president, knows all too well. “We’re finally bringing Bryan’s trophy back home!” she said.
The B.A.S.S. Nation crowd gives a standing ovation to Stewart and the staff ...
The B.A.S.S. Nation crowd gives a standing ovation to Stewart and the staff …
... and to all the anglers.
… and to all the anglers.
Montana B.A.S.S. Nation president Curtis Spindler poses with B.A.S.S. Nation coordinator Emily Hand.
Montana B.A.S.S. Nation president Curtis Spindler poses with B.A.S.S. Nation coordinator Emily Hand.
Collins and his wife, Amanda, are having fun as repeat guests at the championship dinner.
Collins and his wife, Amanda, are having fun as repeat guests at the championship dinner.
Spain B.A.S.S. Nation president Haaby Gonzales and Spanish contender Eric Corbella Salvia made a long journey to get to America, and the pair get ready for their return to Europe the following morning.
Spain B.A.S.S. Nation president Haaby Gonzales and Spanish contender Eric Corbella Salvia made a long journey to get to America, and the pair get ready for their return to Europe the following morning.
Mueller and friends take photos at the championship banquet.
Mueller and friends take photos at the championship banquet.
B.A.S.S. Nation members say their goodbyes.
B.A.S.S. Nation members say their goodbyes.
Mercer gets a quick picture with Georgia contender Pittman and Rhode Island B.A.S.S. Nation president Roy Costa.
Mercer gets a quick picture with Georgia contender Pittman and Rhode Island B.A.S.S. Nation president Roy Costa.
Mercer jokes with Helen Northcutt, B.A.S.S. communications manager, before the buses are loaded.
Mercer jokes with Helen Northcutt, B.A.S.S. communications manager, before the buses are loaded.
The bus is loaded and ready to take contenders home on the final night.
The bus is loaded and ready to take contenders home on the final night.