Ricci pulls off co-angler win on Lake Mead
Oregon native secures first-ever FLW Outdoors victory in process
HENDERSON, Nev. – Anybody who knows Christopher Ricci knows that the man is never at a loss for words. And today was no exception. However, this time, Ricci used the weigh-in podium to talk about one of the most special days of his entire career – the completion of a lifelong dream.
Using a three-day catch of 22 pounds, 2 ounces, Ricci fought back a charge from the rest of the co-angler field to earn his very first FLW Outdoors victory.
And what a victory it was.
“To win an FLW Series National Guard event is a dream come true for me,” said Ricci, a native of Bend, Ore. “It feels like I just fulfilled a lifelong dream. It’s just awesome.”
Of course, Ricci couldn’t pull off the win without some kind of drama-comedy. Because he was one of the first co-anglers to weigh in, Ricci was forced to sit through nearly the entire weigh-in to find out the final results. And not surprisingly, the wait was worth it – even if it nearly killed him.
“It was definitely nerve-wracking,” said Ricci. “I thought I’d finish in fifth or sixth place. I never expected to win. But I had a great time and had some great pros. And I’ve never worked so hard for five fish in my entire life. It’s nice to finally get that monkey off of my back.”
Heading into the event, Ricci had two top-10 finishes to his credit – an eighth-place finish at a Stren Series event in Clear Lake in 2006 and a fourth-place finish at an FLW Series event on the Columbia River in 2007. But today’s win easily dwarfed his previous accomplishments.
“This is just fantastic,” he said. “This is what it’s all about.”
As usual, Ricci did his part to entertain the crowd throughout the day. After grabbing the lead, Ricci headed back into the stands to watch the rest of the event. However, after each co-angler came up on stage and failed to dislodge Ricci from the top spot, Ricci would holler out, “Who’s No. 1 baby?” The laughter of the crowd grew as Ricci’s improbable path to victory became clearer with each passing co-angler. Finally, with one co-angler remaining, Ricci was called up on stage to witness the showdown.
Then, FLW Outdoors tournament host Chris Jones announced the results. Immediately, Ricci threw his arms in the air in victory as the crowd roared in approval. Finally, after years of hard work, Ricci had achieved his goal.
“I’m in Vegas and I won $20,000,” Ricci shouted to the crowd. “How about that?”
In the end, Ricci’s post-tournament celebration (and spontaneous monologue) was only interrupted once – by the one person who knows him the best.
“Mom, yeah, I won,” he said as he picked up his phone and held it close to his ear. “Let me call you right back.”
Ricci then put down the phone and flashed his trademark smile.
“Yeah, it doesn’t get any better than this.”
Antolos nets runner-up finish
Boris Antolos, a resident of Torrance, Calif., who immigrated to the United States from Croatia in 1964, came within ounces of pulling off the biggest victory of his career. However, in the end, his total weight of 21 pounds, 8 ounces just came up a little short.
“I had a chance at that fifth fish but it just came off,” said Antolos, who, like Ricci, only managed a four-fish catch in the finals. “But that’s okay. I had a great time.”
Fishing in only the second FLW Outdoors event of his career, Antolos said that couldn’t have been much happier with the result.
“I had some great pros and had a great week. Lake Mead is my favorite lake,” said Antolos, who used a combination of jigs and Berkley Power worms on a drop-shot rig to land the majority of his catch. “I’ve had a lot of fun. And I really like this FLW circuit. I think I’m going to try and fish more events in the future.”
And what does Antolos think about the United States after growing up in part of the former Yugoslavian nation?
“I love it here,” said Antolos, who walked away with a check for $6,300. “And I really like the music. Country music. It’s the best.”
Lucas’ final charge comes up short
Sitting in 19th place heading into the finals, National Guard team member Justin Lucas of Folsom, Calif., ultimately recorded the largest sack on the co-angler field on day three. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to pull out the victory.
“I’m a little bummed out actually,” said Lucas, despite his stirring performance in the finals. “The last two tournaments I started out really slowly so it’s kind of frustrating. It’s tough.”
Lucas finished day one in 35th place and steadily moved up the leaderboard each and every day. In the end, Lucas finished the event with a total catch of 21 pounds, 3 ounces – good enough for a check for $5,600.
“I had three great pros and I just caught what I could,” said Lucas. “It’s frustrating. But I’ll be back.”
Best of the rest
Day-two leader Aaron Leon of Henderson, Nev., used a three-day catch of 20 pounds, 4 ounces to finish in fourth place. Leon won over $5,000 for his efforts.
Fifth place belonged to Tucker Clarke of San Diego, Calif., who recorded a total catch of 20 pounds, 2 ounces for $4,400 in winnings.
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers at the Lake Mead event:
6th: Chris Bozarth of Henderson, Nev., 20-1
7th: Troy Crawford of Phoenix, Ariz., 19-8
8th: Matthew Thompson of Newhall, Calif., 19-5
9th: John Krumsiek of Riverside, Calif., 19-4
10th: Mark White of Tucson, Ariz., 19-2
Meanwhile, Michael Sisco of Henderson, Nev., won the day’s Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division after netting a 4-pound, 7-ounce largemouth.
The final day of FLW Series Western Division action in the Pro Division continues at Saturday’s takeoff, scheduled to take place at 6:30 a.m. (Pacific Time) at Callville Bay Resort and Marina, located in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Las Vegas, Nev.