BRYAN V. KERCHAL MEMORIAL FUND SPONSORS THE
3RD ANNUAL BASSMASTERS JUNIOR CHAPTER INVITATIONAL

The third annual Bassmasters Junior Chapter Invitational, hosted by the New York Federation, was held on Seneca Lake out of Geneva, New York on July18th. The event, open to all states that have junior chapters, was attended by teams from Delaware, Ohio, Maryland, New York, and Ontario. Minnesota and Vermont were also entered in the tournament but had to cancel at the last minute due to transportation problems. Rich Schneider represented Connecticut, which will host the tournament in 2001.

The six member teams were comprised of Junior Chapter anglers ranging in age from 11 to 16 years old. These anglers qualified for their teams through their respective Federations. The anglers were paired two in a boat with a volunteer adult boater, who did not fish during the event.

The largest cumulative weight to win the event was caught by the Ohio team - total of 18 pounds and 8 ounces. Second place went to the Maryland team with 17 pounds and 3 ounces. Third went to the New York with 17 pounds and 2 ounces. Fourth and fifth went to Delaware with 17-02 and Ontario with 9-01.

The top three individuals of the event were Travis Sain (Ohio) with 9-09, Gorgon Gillen (Deleware) with 8-10 and a tie between Tony Dorman (New York) and David Gosper (Maryland) with 7-01 each. The Outstanding Sportsmanship award was presented to Billy Jenkins of Maryland.

The tournament was sponsored by the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Fund which was set up to support and promote youth fishing. The fund was established in memory of Bryan, the 1994 Bassmasters Classic winner, who died in a plane crash on December 14th, 1994.

Maryland will host the next year's tournament on July 17th on the Potomac River. Ten state teams are expected to participate.

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