Junior World Championship fields announced
Bass anglers representing 39 TBF state federations set to compete for $42,000 in scholarships, grants Aug. 15-16 during Forrest Wood Cup
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Bass Federation recently announced its field for the 2008 National Guard Junior World Championship on Lake Monticello in Columbia, S.C., Aug. 15-16 in conjunction with the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP and Castrol – the world’s most lucrative bass-fishing championship.
The National Guard Junior World Championship will feature youth anglers representing 39 TBF state federations fishing for $30,000 in scholarships plus $12,000 youth-program grants for their states. Each participating state will be represented by two junior anglers: one in the 11- to 14-year-old bracket and another in the 15- to 18-year-old bracket.
“These junior competitors are much more than great anglers,” said TBF President Robert Cartlidge. “They are positive examples for their peers, and they represent the future of our sport. Learning to fish through their state TBF clubs provides these children with an outlet for clean family fun. It’s a great activity that they will enjoy for a lifetime.”
The junior anglers will each be paired with an FLW Outdoors pro for competition on Lake Monticello. There will be three anglers to a boat: a junior angler from each age group plus an FLW Outdoors pro who will assist the junior anglers but will not fish. The two junior anglers will share control of the boat for the day but will compete in their respective age groups. The full field of junior anglers will compete Aug. 15 then be cut to the top angler in each age bracket from each of the TBF’s six geographic divisions. Weights will be zeroed Aug. 16 as six anglers in the 11- to 14-year-old bracket and six anglers in the 15- to 18-year-old bracket continue competition, with the winners determined by the heaviest catch from that day.
Takeoff will be held at Lake Monticello Park located at Hwy 99 Boat Ramp in Jenkinsville, S.C., beginning at 6:55 each morning and the weigh-ins will be held at 2 p.m. Aug.15 and 3:30 p.m. Aug. 16 on the main Forrest Wood Cup stage in the Colonial Center located at 801 Lincoln Street in Columbia. Lake Monticello will be off-limits to competitors Aug. 11-15.
Designed to highlight the best up-and-coming bass-fishing talent in the country, the National Guard Junior World Championship also provides national recognition for the positive activities pursued by America’s youth.
“We really want to thank the pro anglers who serve as mentors during the tournament,” said FLW/TBF Programs Manager David Simmons. “Of course, none of this would be possible without the hard work and support of TBF youth directors and parents nationwide as well.”
First-place finishers in each age bracket will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Second-place finishers will receive a $3,000 scholarship. Third-place finishers will receive a $2,500 scholarship. Fourth-place finishers will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Fifth-place finishers will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Sixth-place finishers will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Additionally, FLW Outdoors, on behalf of the National Guard, will award $1,000 to each of the state TBF chapters represented by the six finalists in each age bracket. This money, totaling $12,000, will benefit each chapter’s youth program.
For more information about TBF Junior Angler programs, contact your state’s TBF chapter. A list of chapters can be found at Bassfederation.com. For more information about FLW Outdoors, the Forrest Wood Cup and the National Guard Junior World Championship, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.
