GREERS FERRY, Ark.-Staying with a topwater pattern for three days of competition made a champion out of Kansas angler Richard Risewick at Greers Ferry Lake in the BASS Federation Nation Central Divisional bass fishing tournament.
Risewick, a 41-year-old grocery store owner from Norton, Kan., fished for the Nebraska team and caught 11 keepers weighing 23 pounds 12 ounces, to win the Central Divisional. He held second place after Wednesday, the first day of competition, and dropped to third place Thursday, but his catch of four bass weighing 7-14 Friday clinched the championship for the Milligan Bass club member.
Risewick relied on a Lucky Craft G-Splash topwater lure to catch all of his fish throughout the tournament.
"I was fishing rock points where the fish were from 5 to 6 feet deep," he said. "I actually had some that I caught right next to the bank." Friday he started the morning on a chunk rock bank about a mile from the launch ramp.
"I caught three fish off of it right away and then we ran to another spot where I caught a little spotted bass (keeper)," said Risewick.
Winning the Divisional and finishing as Nebraska's top angler qualified Risewick for the BASS Federation Nation Championship, the ultimate test of amateur bass fishing's best, to be held Oct. 25-31 at the Harris Chain of Lakes in Tavares, Fla. Other state champions who advanced to the national championship were Mark Warner of Kansas; Russell Matt, Missouri; John Soukup, Oklahoma; Tom Jessop, Texas; Jay Ladner, Mississippi; Samuel Anthony, Louisiana; and Jared Taliaferro, Arkansas.
The Central Divisional qualifiers will be among the 55 championship contenders vying for six berths to the 2010 Classic set for Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake near Birmingham, Ala.
Nebraska earned top honors in the team competition and won the Divisional's top prize of a $30,000 Skeeter bass boat rigged with a Yamaha motor. Nebraska's 14 anglers recorded a cumulative weight of 165 pounds, 14 ounces to take the team competition.
The Junior Bassmasters also competed in the Central Divisional today with their catches added to the cumulative weights of their respective state teams in the Federation Nation competition. The top Junior Bassmaster in the 11- to 14-year-olds age division was Ralston Lusby with a catch of two bass weighing 3-9. Craig Conger topped the 15-18 age group with three bass weighing 6-10. Both young anglers qualified for the Junior Bassmasters World Championship to be held in conjunction with the Federation Nation Championship in October.
The Central Divisional is the third of six regional qualifiers for the Federation Nation Championship. Next on the schedule is the Eastern Divisional set for July 20-24 on Lake Simcoe out of Orillia, Ontario, Canada.
FINAL STANDINGS- BASS FEDERATION NATION CENTRAL DIVISIONAL
06/24-06/26 Greers Ferry Reservoir, Greers Ferry Ark.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Richard Risewick Norton, Kan. (NE) 11 23-12
2. Mark Warner Overland Park, Kan. (KS) 12 22-15
3. Jason Baird Gypsum, Kan. (KS) 11 21-04
4. Russell Matt Saint Joseph, Mo. (MO) 10 20-12
5. Jay Ladner Kiln, Miss. (MS) 12 19-12
6. Mathew Dowding Saint Louis, Mo. (MO) 9 19-08
7. Jared Taliaferro Rogers, Ark. (AR) 11 18-12
8. Pat Hayes Omaha, Neb. (NE) 12 18-11
9. Preston Frazell Broken Arrown, Okla. (KS) 10 18-10
10. Greg Cooper Monroe City, Mo. (MO) 10 18-07
11. Gene Francois Bellevue, Neb. (NE) 10 18-00
12. Todd Platt Hull, Ill. (MO) 13 17-12
13. Kin Austin Florence, Miss. (MS) 9 17-11
14. Travis Tunnell Bonton, Kan. (KS) 12 17-08
15. Tom Jessop Dalhart, Texas (TX) 9 17-08
16. Samuel Anthony Independence, La. (LA) 9 17-02
17. Dale Burriell Omaha, Neb. (NE) 9 16-15
18. Jimmy Johnson Ganado, Texas (TX) 9 16-08
19. Greg Flickner Kearney, Neb. (NE) 8 16-03
20. Randy Ladner Bay St Louis, Miss. (MS) 8 16-02
21. John Soukup Agra, Okla. (OK) 9 15-13
22. Cale Sanders Lubbock, Texas (TX) 9 15-04
23. Jerry Pape Louisburg, Kan. (NE) 11 14-14
24. Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, Okla. (OK) 9 14-10
25. Shane Edwards Zachary, La. (LA) 8 14-09
26. Doyle Helmink Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 7 14-02
27. Lucas Larson Round Rock, Texas (TX) 8 14-01
28. Kevin Thompson Mabelvale, Ark. (AR) 8 13-13
29. Larry Dugger Russellville, Ark. (AR) 8 13-11
30. John Stanford Purvis, Miss. (MS) 6 13-10
31. Matthew Waller Augusta, Kan. (KS) 8 12-13
32. Marks Wilkinson Pearlington, Miss. (MS) 8 12-10
33. Daniel Stark Eldon, Mo. (MO) 5 11-11
34. Larry Gragg Pine Bluff, Ark. (AR) 6 11-06
35. Johnny Burke Bristow, Okla. (OK) 5 11-03
36. Doug Pinkley Leigh, Neb. (NE) 7 11-02
37. Rusty Linares Star City, Ark. (AR) 6 11-02
38. Dana Hulet Perry, Okla. (OK) 9 10-13
39. Dale Hightower Sand Springs, Okla. (OK) 7 10-11
40. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, La. (LA) 6 10-07
41. John Vogt New Brunnfels, Texas (TX) 5 10-05
42. Pete Peterson Olathe, Kan. (KS) 6 10-03
43. Rick Sitzman Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 6 10-00
44. Shawn Box Mannford, Okla. (OK) 5 9-15
45. Randy Craft Seminary, Miss. (MS) 5 9-05
46. Brian Wilson Bloomfield, Iowa (MO) 5 9-04
47. Ricky Mabile Pierre Part, La. (LA) 6 9-01
48. Michael Parsons Willis, Texas (TX) 5 8-14
49. Jan Hebert Houma, La. (LA) 4 8-13
50. Doug Thompson Mabelvale, Ark. (AR) 4 8-13
51. Kris Lee Broken Arrow, Okla. (OK) 5 8-08
52. Corey Smith Perry, Okla. (OK) 5 8-07
53. Jason Brin Desoto, Kan. (KS) 4 8-07
54. Lee Sanders Stillwater, Okla. (OK) 6 7-10
55. Brian Bollinger San Angelo, Texas (TX) 6 7-09
56. Dan Bowlin Clarkson, Neb. (NE) 4 7-09
57. Joe Frierson Poplarville, Miss. (MS) 4 7-08
58. Charlie Davis Murchison, Texas (TX) 4 7-07
59. Tim Carmouche Gonzales, La. (LA) 5 7-05
60. Larry Riffey Pratt, Kan. (KS) 4 7-05
61. Kristoffer Cooley Gassville, Ark. (AR) 3 7-04
62. Terry Jelinek Claremore, Okla. (NE) 6 7-03
63. Randy Reehm Russellville, Ark. (AR) 5 7-02
64. Pete Morrone Olathe, Kan. (KS) 4 6-15
65. Kevin Johnston Sedalia, Mo. (MO) 4 6-14
66. Alex Habbit Youngsville, La. (LA) 4 6-13
67. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, Miss. (MS) 5 6-11
68. Tom Carlin Kansas City, Mo. (MO) 4 6-10
69. Craig Conger Saint Peters, Mo. (MO) 3 6-10
70. Butch Ruby Stamps, Ark. (AR) 4 6-03
71. Charles Simmons Waco, Texas (TX) 4 5-15
72. Ryan Brown La Place, La. (LA) 5 5-14
73. Joe Nix Magnolia, Ark. (AR) 3 5-13
74. Sandy Gaudet Belle Rose, La. (LA) 3 5-12
75. Pat Klausen Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 3 5-11
76. Roger Hughes Bartlesville, Okla. (OK) 5 5-10
77. Larry Welborn Laurel, Miss. (MS) 4 5-08
78. Jeff Covington Wesson, Miss. (MS) 3 5-08
79. Hoyt Akins Alexander, Ark. (AR) 5 5-06
80. Eli Frierson Poplarville, Miss. (MS) 4 5-06
81. Jon Harshbarger Kaufman, Texas (TX) 3 5-06
82. Charles Hewitt Prairieville, La. (LA) 3 5-05
83. Mike Owens Spearsville, La. (AR) 3 5-04
84. Dylan Webb Olathe, Kan. (KS) 2 5-03
85. David Branine Haysville, Kan. (KS) 3 4-12
86. Kevin Smith Lincoln, Mo. (MO) 3 4-06
87. Robbie Cumbest Lucedale, Miss. (MS) 2 4-05
88. Kevin Gaubert Luling, La. (LA) 3 4-03
89. Dick Hindman Sapulpa, Okla. (OK) 2 4-02
90. Nathan Bourque Humble, Texas (LA) 3 4-01
91. Ralston Lusby Hot Springs, Ark. (AR) 2 3-09
92. Justin Brin Olathe, Kan. (KS) 2 3-07
93. Blaine Davis Waterford, Miss. (MS) 1 2-13
94. James Windham Hewitt, Texas (TX) 3 2-12
95. Chuck Bonnett Camdenton, Mo. (MO) 2 2-09
96. Dan Chickering Bloomfield, Iowa (MO) 2 2-08
97. Kyle Bourgeois Lutcher, La. (LA) 1 2-06
98. Terry Reich Spring, Texas (TX) 1 2-02
99. Preston Moore Stringtown, Okla. (OK) 1 2-01
100.Scotty Loftin El Dorado, Ark. (AR) 2 1-15
101.Zack Colosky Smithville, Texas (TX) 1 1-15
102.Alec Reberry Kansas City, Kan. (KS) 1 1-13
103.Brad Schaefer Omaha, Neb. (NE) 1 1-12
104.Nick Luna Grain Valley, Mo. (KS) 1 1-08
105.Drew Creel Shawnee, Okla. (OK) 1 1-04
106.Bill Couch Stoutsville, Mo. (MO) 0 0-00
106.Nathan Craft Seminary, Miss. (MS) 0 0-00
106.Kyle Daugherty Austin, Texas (TX) 0 0-00
106.Drew Honigman Harrisonville, Mo. (MO) 0 0-00
106.Jake Little Shawnee, Okla. (OK) 0 0-00
106.Payton Poche Paulina, La. (LA) 0 0-00
106.Jake Schaefer Omaha, Neb. (NE) 0 0-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 11 193 311-11
2 7 187 344-06
3 7 202 354-05
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25 582 1010-06
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
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State Lbs-Oz
1 NEBRASKA 165-14
2 KANSAS 142-11
3 MISSOURI 126-15
4 MISSISSIPPI 126-13
5 ARKANSAS 120-01
6 TEXAS 115-10
7 OKLAHOMA 110-11
8 LOUISIANA 101-11
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
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NEBRASKA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Richard Risewick Norton, Kan. 11 23-12
2 Pat Hayes Omaha, Neb. 12 18-11
3 Gene Francois Bellevue, Neb. 10 18-00
4 Dale Burriell Omaha, Neb. 9 16-15
5 Greg Flickner Kearney, Neb. 8 16-03
6 Jerry Pape Louisburg, Kan. 11 14-14
7 Doyle Helmink Lincoln, Neb. 7 14-02
8 Doug Pinkley Leigh, Neb. 7 11-02
9 Rick Sitzman Lincoln, Neb. 6 10-00
10 Dan Bowlin Clarkson, Neb. 4 7-09
11 Terry Jelinek Claremore, Okla. 6 7-03
12 Pat Klausen Lincoln, Neb. 3 5-11
13 Brad Schaefer Omaha, Neb. 1 1-12
14 Jake Schaefer Omaha, Neb. 0 0-00
KANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Warner Overland Park, Kan. 12 22-15
2 Jason Baird Gypsum, Kan. 11 21-04
3 Preston Frazell Broken Arrown, Okla. 10 18-10
4 Travis Tunnell Bonton, Kan. 12 17-08
5 Matthew Waller Augusta, Kan. 8 12-13
6 Pete Peterson Olathe, Kan. 6 10-03
7 Jason Brin Desoto, Kan. 4 8-07
8 Larry Riffey Pratt, Kan. 4 7-05
9 Pete Morrone Olathe, Kan. 4 6-15
10 Dylan Webb Olathe, Kan. 2 5-03
11 David Branine Haysville, Kan. 3 4-12
12 Justin Brin Olathe, Kan. 2 3-07
13 Alec Reberry Kansas City, Kan. 1 1-13
14 Nick Luna Grain Valley, Mo. 1 1-08
MISSOURI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Russell Matt Saint Joseph, Mo. 10 20-12
2 Mathew Dowding Saint Louis, Mo. 9 19-08
3 Greg Cooper Monroe City, Mo. 10 18-07
4 Todd Platt Hull, Ill. 13 17-12
5 Daniel Stark Eldon, Mo. 5 11-11
6 Brian Wilson Bloomfield, Iowa 5 9-04
7 Kevin Johnston Sedalia, Mo. 4 6-14
8 Tom Carlin Kansas City, Mo. 4 6-10
9 Craig Conger Saint Peters, Mo. 3 6-10
10 Kevin Smith Lincoln, Mo. 3 4-06
11 Chuck Bonnett Camdenton, Mo. 2 2-09
12 Dan Chickering Bloomfield, Iowa 2 2-08
13 Bill Couch Stoutsville, Mo. 0 0-00
13 Drew Honigman Harrisonville, Mo. 0 0-00
MISSISSIPPI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jay Ladner Kiln, Miss. 12 19-12
2 Kin Austin Florence, Miss. 9 17-11
3 Randy Ladner Bay St Louis, Miss. 8 16-02
4 John Stanford Purvis, Miss. 6 13-10
5 Marks Wilkinson Pearlington, Miss. 8 12-10
6 Randy Craft Seminary, Miss. 5 9-05
7 Joe Frierson Poplarville, Miss. 4 7-08
8 Teb Jones Hattiesburg, Miss. 5 6-11
9 Larry Welborn Laurel, Miss. 4 5-08
10 Jeff Covington Wesson, Miss. 3 5-08
11 Eli Frierson Poplarville, Miss. 4 5-06
12 Robbie Cumbest Lucedale, Miss. 2 4-05
13 Blaine Davis Waterford, Miss. 1 2-13
14 Nathan Craft Seminary, Miss. 0 0-00
ARKANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jared Taliaferro Rogers, Ark. 11 18-12
2 Kevin Thompson Mabelvale, Ark. 8 13-13
3 Larry Dugger Russellville, Ark. 8 13-11
4 Larry Gragg Pine Bluff, Ark. 6 11-06
5 Rusty Linares Star City, Ark. 6 11-02
6 Doug Thompson Mabelvale, Ark. 4 8-13
7 Kristoffer Cooley Gassville, Ark. 3 7-04
8 Randy Reehm Russellville, Ark. 5 7-02
9 Butch Ruby Stamps, Ark. 4 6-03
10 Joe Nix Magnolia, Ark. 3 5-13
11 Hoyt Akins Alexander, Ark. 5 5-06
12 Mike Owens Spearsville, La. 3 5-04
13 Ralston Lusby Hot Springs, Ark. 2 3-09
14 Scotty Loftin El Dorado, Ark. 2 1-15
TEXAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tom Jessop Dalhart, Texas 9 17-08
2 Jimmy Johnson Ganado, Texas 9 16-08
3 Cale Sanders Lubbock, Texas 9 15-04
4 Lucas Larson Round Rock, Texas 8 14-01
5 John Vogt New Brunnfels, Texas 5 10-05
6 Michael Parsons Willis, Texas 5 8-14
7 Brian Bollinger San Angelo, Texas 6 7-09
8 Charlie Davis Murchison, Texas 4 7-07
9 Charles Simmons Waco, Texas 4 5-15
10 Jon Harshbarger Kaufman, Texas 3 5-06
11 James Windham Hewitt, Texas 3 2-12
12 Terry Reich Spring, Texas 1 2-02
13 Zack Colosky Smithville, Texas 1 1-15
14 Kyle Daugherty Austin, Texas 0 0-00
OKLAHOMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 John Soukup Agra, Okla. 9 15-13
2 Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, Okla. 9 14-10
3 Johnny Burke Bristow, Okla. 5 11-03
4 Dana Hulet Perry, Okla. 9 10-13
5 Dale Hightower Sand Springs, Okla. 7 10-11
6 Shawn Box Mannford, Okla. 5 9-15
7 Kris Lee Broken Arrow, Okla. 5 8-08
8 Corey Smith Perry, Okla. 5 8-07
9 Lee Sanders Stillwater, Okla. 6 7-10
10 Roger Hughes Bartlesville, Okla. 5 5-10
11 Dick Hindman Sapulpa, Okla. 2 4-02
12 Preston Moore Stringtown, Okla. 1 2-01
13 Drew Creel Shawnee, Okla. 1 1-04
14 Jake Little Shawnee, Okla. 0 0-00
LOUISIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Samuel Anthony Independence, La. 9 17-02
2 Shane Edwards Zachary, La. 8 14-09
3 Robbie Latuso Gonzales, La. 6 10-07
4 Ricky Mabile Pierre Part, La. 6 9-01
5 Jan Hebert Houma, La. 4 8-13
6 Tim Carmouche Gonzales, La. 5 7-05
7 Alex Habbit Youngsville, La. 4 6-13
8 Ryan Brown La Place, La. 5 5-14
9 Sandy Gaudet Belle Rose, La. 3 5-12
10 Charles Hewitt Prairieville, La. 3 5-05
11 Kevin Gaubert Luling, La. 3 4-03
12 Nathan Bourque Humble, Texas 3 4-01
13 Kyle Bourgeois Lutcher, La. 1 2-06
14 Payton Poche Paulina, La. 0 0-00