Learning from Young Anglers,
True Sportsmanship!
By Ken Gibbs, IBCF Director
Youths representing fourteen states from around the country attended and competed in the 2002 Junior National Invitational Tournament held on July 12th & 13th in Laurel, Delaware. These fourteen teams were each made up of six youths that qualified in their individual states to be on their State's Youth team.
What an awesome event! But even more so was the examplinary sportsmanship that was shown by all the Junior BASS competitors. "Competitors" is not the right word to describe these young folks. Even though the awards went to the individual teams and the top individuals, this appeared to be more of "one team" of 84 youths having fun competing against Mother Nature, not each other. I have never seen a more polite, well mannered, well wishing, and supportive group of kids as what I experienced that weekend. We all as adult fishermen and fisherwomen could learn a lot just by watching these kids. The remarks I was hearing from the adults there were of amazement and pride. I even saw a few people tear up.
Before I go any further, I want to congratulate all 84 anglers for a job well done. Also, a thank you goes out to each volunteer that helped out in and from each state. Also thanks to pro-fisherman Mike Wurm, for his dedication to being the Weigh Master of the event. And a special thanks to all the parents for supporting their kids.
Your 2002 Indiana Junior State Team finished eighth overall. First of all let me say that I am very proud of this team and the sportsmanship that they showed through the entire event.
Your 2002 team members are:
- Mark Gibbs, Team Captain
- Austin Brown
- Kenny Burkhart
- Daniel Suttles
- Brad Williams
- Shelby Bowling
We want to thank Shelby for filling in as an alternate for the team. One of our original members could not make it on time, so she volunteered to fill in for us to complete our team of six anglers. Shelby was an alternate for the Maryland team.
Tournament information:
Phillips Landing, Laurel, Delaware on the Natacoke River (This is tidal water, so it was a first experience for allot of the anglers.)
- Ontario - 21.01 lbs
- Delaware - 20.23 lbs
- New Jersey - 17.69 lbs
- Kansas - 17.75 lbs
- Ohio - 14.08 lbs
- Vermont - 14.06 lbs
- West Virginia - 10.15 lbs
- Indiana - 9.96 lbs
- Missouri - 7.92 lbs
- Connecticut - 7.61 lbs
- New York - 7.51 lbs
- Virginia - 6.04 lbs
- Maryland - 5.08 lbs
- Pennsylvania - .98 lbs
Top Angler - Ryan Smith, Kansas - 9.01 lbs lbs
Big Bass - Tyler Owen, Missouri - 4.20 lbs
Five fish limits - 6
Total number of fish - 105
Total weight - 159.07 lbs
Average weight - 1.51 lbs
I want to thank all the Sponsors from all of the State Federations that helped make this a great event.
Sponsors for the 2002 Indiana Junior State Team are;
- Indiana BASS Chapter Federation
- Indiana Seniors Tournament Trail - Dan & Sandy Simmons
- Embroidery & Crafts - Mary Gibbs
- Garry Kincaid & Rick Stander
The 2003 team will be made of those youths that qualify from the 2002 Indiana Youth State Finals on August 17, 2002 at Monroe Reservoir, Cutright Point
