Wieczorek wins Great Lakes Division tournament
LA CROSSE, Wis. – Randy Wieczorek of Buffalo City claimed $3,906 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Great Lakes Division’s second regular-season stop, held Saturday on the Mississippi River near La Crosse. Wieczorek led the field of 143 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds, 8 ounces.
As the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, Wieczorek also claimed a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats.
In second place was Darren Zumach of Onalaska with a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 11 ounces that earned him $1,953. Tied for third place was Rick Miller of Blue Grass, Iowa, and Rick House of Winona, Minn., with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 13 ounces. Each received $1,172 for their catch. In fifth place was Chris Cox of Appleton with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 9 ounces that earned him $859.
Zumach earned another $500 from Garmin for using a fixed-mount Garmin Fishfinder or combination GPS/sounder.
Michael Lukich of Chillicothe, Ill., topped 143 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 12 pounds, 6 ounces. Lukich earned $1,953 for the win.
In second place was Kevin Villhauer of Iowa City, Iowa, with a five-bass catch weighing 12 pounds, 1 ounce that earned him $976. Third place was Keith Cripe of Bettendorf, Iowa, with a five-bass catch weighing 10 pounds, 9 ounces that earned him $664. Tied for fourth place were Todd Ackland of Chicago and Ben Schultz of La Crosse with a five-bass catch weighing 10 pounds, 8 ounces. Each received $469 for his catch.
Wieczorek earned boater big-bass honors and $715 with a 5-pound, 3-ounce bass, and Ronald Syverson of La Crosse earned co-angler big-bass honors and $358 in his division with a 4-pound, 1-ounce bass.
The Great Lakes Division will make its third regular-season stop July 12 on Lake Winneconne in Winneconne followed by an event on the Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien Aug. 2. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 6-7 on the Mississippi River in Welch, Minn. Following the regular season, the boater with the most points will be declared the Yamaha “Be the Best” points leader and awarded $1,000. The co-angler with the most points following the regular season will earn $500.
The top 30 Great Lakes Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 14-18 on Beaver Lake near Rogers, Ark., where they will go up against top competitors from the LBL, Okie and Ozark divisions for a shot at qualifying for the Wal-Mart BFL All-American – one of the most lucrative postseason tournaments in competitive angling.
As much as $6 million will be awarded in the 2003 Wal-Mart BFL.
Editor’s Note: Ranger Cup award winners are pending verification by Ranger Boats and thus are unofficial at this time.