TBF youth triumph over tough day on water

12 Division Champions advance in National Guard Junior World Championship

DULUTH, Ga. – A tough bite paired with extreme pressure and heat, followed by a blizzard of rain lakeside didn’t stop 82 TBF youth state champions today, on day one of the 2010 National Guard Junior World Championship on Lake Lanier.

Anglers traveled from 41 different states to face off in this national contest knowing today it was all or nothing to decide who would advance. Twelve young anglers pushed ahead despite all odds, solidifying their spots on the final day of competition at this year’s National Guard Junior World Championship. The top two anglers from each of the six TBF divisions advanced, one from each age group, 11-14 and 15-18, to comprise the final twelve. The crowd waited in the midst of a storm, rain soaked and still cheering on these young anglers as each state champion walked across the stage. It was definitely a day for the record books. Tomorrow will echo that as 12 Division Champions take off from Laurel Park on Lake Lanier right alongside the FLW pros. Of the final 12, the top finishers from each age group will walk away proving to the nation they have the right to be called champions.

The largest stringer of the tournament went to Drake Young, from Lincoln, Mo., representing the 15-18 age division as the TBF Youth Central Division Champion. Young caught a total of four fish weighing 6 pounds, 7ounces.

“I’m really excited,” Young said. “I just went out there and caught fish today and had fun!” Young also caught the most keepers. “I don’t know what I did differently; I guess I just found more fish.”

Young plans to stick with the same approach tomorrow, but other than that he’s not looking too far ahead.

“Winning tomorrow, really I haven’t thought about it; I’m just not thinking that far ahead, yet.”

His strategy placed him on top, but only 1 pound, 2 ounces separates him from his closest competition.

Greg Zellers, from Winamac, Ind., is the TBF Northern Division Champion in the 15-18 age group, and is in second place overall. Zellers brought in two keepers today weighing 5 pounds, 5 ounces.

“It’s just a world of change, an unbelievable event,” Zellers said.

Zellers fished mostly deeper water today, but plans to switch his stroke up tomorrow and fish shallower.

“I just want to thank everyone that made this possible – TBF, FLW, Berkley and Ranger Boats. To be able to go into the second day is just a dream come true.”

Weighing in 3 pounds today was Regan Green, from Macon, Ga., who recorded the heaviest stringer of the 11-14 age group. Green landed two bass and claimed the Southern Division title.

“Really, I’m excited, eager” Green said. “I have a good plan going into tomorrow.”

Green lost two keepers midday and plans to go hunting tomorrow.

“I lost a 5- and a 4-pounder that would have brought me way over the top.”

He caught one fish on a topwater bait around 9:30 with a little spook and the second on a drop shot.

“I’ll definitely plan on the same thing tomorrow; I’m anxious but ready to go.”

Adrian Forbes, from Fairfield Vt., is the Eastern Division Champion in the younger age bracket.

“I really didn’t think I was going to make it,” Forbes said. “I didn’t have much confidence to begin with but now I’ve got a lot; I got a lot from this place.”

TBF Junior World Championship standings

Central Division – 11 to 14 age group

1 Andrew Honigman Harrisonville, MO Central Div 11 to 14 1/1 1-14 Q

2 Justin Niccum Independence, MO Central Div 11 to 14 1/1 1-07

3 Clay Shatley Hot Springs, AR Central Div 11 to 14

3 James P Kimbrough Bossier City, LA Central Div 11 to 14

3 Ty Jobe Olive Branch, MS Central Div 11 to 14

3 Taylor Stanley Lincoln, NE Central Div 11 to 14

3 Matthew Hasenfratz Ponca City, OK Central Div 11 to 14

3 Austin Ellis Kingsland, TX Central Div 11 to 14

Eastern Division – 11 to 14 age group

1 Adrian Forbes Fairfield, VT Eastern Div 11 to 14 1/1 3-00 Q

2 Maxwell Danese Franklin, MA Eastern Div 11 to 14 1/1 1-07

3 Michael Toohey Shelton, CT Eastern Div 11 to 14

3 Kaitlyn Deering Portland, ME Eastern Div 11 to 14

3 Alec Morrison Peru, NY Eastern Div 11 to 14

3 Conor Rana Bradford, RI Eastern Div 11 to 14



Mid-Atlantic Division – 11 to 14 age group

1 Ari Rosenzweig ScotchPlains, NJ Mid-Atlantic Div 11 to 14 1/1 2-07 Q

2 Brent Engleman Milton, PA Mid-Atlantic Div 11 to 14 1/1 1-06

3 Devon Braun Camden, DE Mid-Atlantic Div 11 to 14

3 Jacob Hollingshead Manchester, MD Mid-Atlantic Div 11 to 14

3 Zachary Francis Abingdon, VA Mid-Atlantic Div 11 to 14

3 Alex Goff Clendenin, WV Mid-Atlantic Div 11 to 14

Northern Division – 11 to 14 age group

1 Ryan Spencer Tolono, IL Northern Div 11 to 14 1/1 1-05 Q

2 Daniel Sprague Hastings, MI Northern Div 11 to 14 1/1 1-04

3 Kyle Hazel Greenwood, IN Northern Div 11 to 14

3 Tarin Lehn Alexandria, MN Northern Div 11 to 14

3 Ben Guegold Westerville, OH Northern Div 11 to 14

3 Steven Sellnow Watertown, WI Northern Div 11 to 14

Southern Division – 11 to 14 age group

1 Regan Green Macon, GA Southern Div 11 to 14 2/2 3-00 Q

2 John Garrett Union City, TN Southern Div 11 to 14 1/1 2-08

3 Flint Mosley Toxey, AL Southern Div 11 to 14 1/1 2-04

4 David Alan Darby East Palatka, FL Southern Div 11 to 14 1/1 1-10

5 Ryan Dowell Brandenburg, KY Southern Div 11 to 14

5 Triston Owens Marion, NC Southern Div 11 to 14

5 Charles J. Knowlton Sumter, SC Southern Div 11 to 14

Western Division – 11 to 14 age group

1 Shane Edgar Glendale, AZ Western Div 11 to 14 1/1 1-15 Q

2 Dezmond McVay Eugene, OR Western Div 11 to 14 1/1 1-08

2 Francisca Mendive Elko, NV Western Div 11 to 14 1/1 1-08

4 Alex Schneidermann Buhl, ID Western Div 11 to 14

4 Richard Davey Kennewick, WA Western Div 11 to 14

4 Justin Malpass Cylde, CA Western Div 11 to 14

4 Griffin Johnston Centennial, CO Western Div 11 to 14

4 Corey Quintana Roy, UT Western Div 11 to 14

Central Division – 15 to 18 age group

1 Drake Young Lincoln, MO Central Div 15 to 18 4/4 6-07 Q

2 Cameron Mattison Bossier City, LA Central Div 15 to 18 2/2 4-05

3 Michael T. Worley Bedford, TX Central Div 15 to 18 1/1 2-05

4 Jacob Beam Ponca City, OK Central Div 15 to 18 1/1 1-15

5 Dustin Holmes Amity, AR Central Div 15 to 18 1/1 1-14

6 Chandler Young Independence, MO Central Div 15 to 18

6 Lane Kemper Olive Branch, MS Central Div 15 to 18

6 Corey Miller Lincoln, NE Central Div 15 to 18

Eastern Division – 15 to 18 age group

1 Nicholas Deering Portland, ME Eastern Div 15 to 18 2/2 2-13 Q

2 Robert Ramasci Wakefield, MA Eastern Div 15 to 18 1/1 2-11

3 Taylor Bahr Randolph, VT Eastern Div 15 to 18 1/1 1-13

4 Brandon Annunziata North Haven, CT Eastern Div 15 to 18

4 Brett Carnright Plattsburgh, NY Eastern Div 15 to 18

4 Dillon Falardeau Slatersville, RI Eastern Div 15 to 18

Mid-Atlantic Division – 15 to 18 age group

1 Zach Whitten Oceana, WV Mid-Atlantic Div 15 to 18 1/1 2-01 Q

2 Niklas Goebel West Milford, NJ Mid-Atlantic Div 15 to 18 1/1 1-02

3 Kurt Mitchell Milford, DE Mid-Atlantic Div 15 to 18

3 John Duarte Baltimore, MD Mid-Atlantic Div 15 to 18

3 Austin Oberdorf Milton, PA Mid-Atlantic Div 15 to 18

3 Nicholas Bodsford Richmond, VA Mid-Atlantic Div 15 to 18

Northern Division – 15 to 18 age group

1 Greg Zellers Winamac, IN Northern Div 15 to 18 2/2 5-05 Q

2 Edward Levin Westerville, OH Northern Div 15 to 18 2/2 3-15

3 Kyler Chelminiak Hales Corners, WI Northern Div 15 to 18 1/1 1-04

4 Alexander Cataldo Fenton, MI Northern Div 15 to 18 1/0 1-03

5 Bradley Burton Champaign, IL Northern Div 15 to 18

5 Matt Schneider Maple Lake, MN Northern Div 15 to 18

Southern Division – 15 to 18 age group

1 Shane Cantley Lugoff, SC Southern Div 15 to 18 2/2 2-15 Q

2 Michael Maskevich Jr. Tallahassee, FL Southern Div 15 to 18

2 Robert T. Minick Valdosta, GA Southern Div 15 to 18

2 Jared Raymer Brandenburg, KY Southern Div 15 to 18

2 Cody Stegall Mt. Pleasant, NC Southern Div 15 to 18

2 Brier Daniel Collinwood, TN Southern Div 15 to 18

2 Skeeter Benford Phil Campbell, AL Southern Div 15 to 18

Western Division – 15 to 18 age group

1 Josh Paxton Spring Creek, NV Western Div 15 to 18 1/1 3-08 Q

2 Connor Santos Colorado Springs, CO Western Div 15 to 18 1/1 3-05

3 Asa Schneidermann Buhl, ID Western Div 15 to 18

3 Nicholas Chin Gresham, OR Western Div 15 to 18

3 Nikolas Autrey Chewelah, WA Western Div 15 to 18

3 Ryan Petersen Phoenix, AZ Western Div 15 to 18

3 Matthew English Canyon Lake, CA Western Div 15 to 18

3 Corey Higgins Lehi, UT Western Div 15 to 18

Daily Big Bass – Josh Paxton 3-8

Tournament Big Sack – Drake Young 6-7