HOME

2008 Youth Report

by Jim Kline

The youth program of the Maryland Bass Federation Nation had a fabulous year.  It all started at The Bassmaster Classic in February, held in Greenville, South Carolina, when Jr. Proformance member Austin Neary was crowned CastingKids Champion.  Awesome job, Austin !

Then at the MBFN's Annual Presidents Conference held on March 2, the youth program was the big winner, having the best year in our history, raising a grand total of $5,572.00 - the annual auction brought in $3,174.00, the 50/50 raffle netted $488.00, and the following donations from Westmar B/M, Blue Ridge Bassers, Southern Region, Northern Region, Randy Bottomly, and CT/HX Engineering came in at $1,910.00.  Thanks to everyone who donated - for believing in our great youth program.

On June 28, the 2007 Jr. State Team consisting of Andrew Griffith, Nick Dietrich, Colby Martin, Jessie Colie, Johnny Sims and Billy Staley competed in the New Jersey Federation Nation Invitational held on Lake Hopatcong in Ledgewood , New Jersey .  The team placed 4^th overall and Boonsboro Jr. B/M member Andrew Griffith took overall champion in the 15-18 age group, plus took lunker for the tournament.  Congratulations, Andrew!

August 9^th and 10^th, Billy Staley and Nick Dietrich traveled to Syracuse , New York to compete in the Junior World Championship held on Onondaga Lake .  The JWC, which in the past years was held at The Bassmaster Classic, was changed and was held in conjunction with the final stop on The Elite Series Tour.  Nick fished with Elite Pro Edwin Evers and Billy fished with Elite Pro Rick Ash.  All the contenders were pulled from Lake Onondaga and brought to Oneida Lake for the weigh-in, with each and every one of them walking onto the Elite Series stage before a huge crowd.  What a special thrill this was for them - something they will cherish forever!

With the new alignment of the B.A.S.S. youth program and CastingKids paralleling the adult Federation Nation, we held our Jr. SQT, Jr. World Qualifier and State CastingKids championship on August 23^rd at Smallwood State Park.  At stake was two slots from CastingKids and two slots from the SQT/JWC tournaments advancing to the Mid-Atlantic Divisionals.  While the anglers were competing on the Lower Potomac , we held the CastingKids championship prior to the weigh-in.  Congratulations to Logan Kuhrmann and Johnny Durante who earned a trip to the Divisionals.  Winning the SQT/JWC tournament was Nick Dietrich (11-14) and Andrew Sams (15-18), each earning their trip to the Divisionals.  Great job, guys.

Making the 2008 Jr. State Team were Andrew Sams, Logan Mellott, Danny Roselle, Alex Thomas, Nick Dietrich, A.J. DiPietro, Mike Nutter, and Seth Wills.  Congratulations!  Special thank yous to Gary Hemp of Hemp Meats (who provided burgers and dogs for this event), and Randy Dotson (for running the CastingKids).  Thanks also to everyone who helped with this event, especially the boat captains.

On Saturday, September 13, in Clarksville , Virginia on Lake Kerr , the Jr. Mid-Atlantic Divisional Championship was held following the adult Federation Nation Team Championship.  Our two qualifiers - Nick Dietrich and Andrew Sams - fished with Maryland 's National contender, Jerry Sersen.  While they were on the lake competing, the Mid-Atlantic Division CastingKids Championship was held prior to the weigh-in.  Logan Kuhrmann won the 7-10 age group.  His score of 140 was the best score from both groups.  Johnny Durante, competing in the 11-14 age group, lost in a four-way castoff.  Maryland once again will have a youth going to the National CastingKids Championship.  Best of luck in Kansas to Logan !  Good job also to Johnny.   You both did Maryland proud.

At the Junior weigh-in to see who would be representing the Mid-Atlantic Division in Kansas , both Andrew and Nick had fish to bring to the scales in a tough tournament that wouldn't produce many keepers.  Andrew Sams won the 15-18 age group, advancing to the JWC in Kansas .  Nick Dietrich missed out by a mere 2 oz., keeping him from going back-to-back to a JWC.  Tough break, Nick; we are still proud of your accomplishments.  Good luck to Andrew, Logan and Jerry when you get to Kansas .  We are all rooting for you!

Scholarship Report

by Jim Kline

The committee met on September 16^th at the Woodbine Inn.  Four $500.00 each scholarships were awarded to the following individuals:  Andrew Griffith (law enforcement/natural resources), Hunter Nelson (aerospace engineering), Mark Hucks, Jr. (biology), and Kyle Wilhite (biology and environmental marine science).

The Nelson L. (Butch) Ward Memorial Scholarship program, since 2002, has now given out a total of twenty-six $500.00 scholarships, for a total of $13,000.00. 

Thank you to committee members Roger Tragaser, Rich Weldon, Scott Sewell, Linda Ward, and Jim Kline.  Congratulations to all of the awardees.  Butch is smiling down from above.

Nick Dietrich and Andrew Sams Advance to 2008 Castingkids Divisional Championship
Jr. State Team Established

by Jim Kline

Congratulations to Nick Dietrich and Andrew Sams for winning their age groups on Saturday, August 23, 2008, on the Lower Potomac .  Nick and Andrew now advance to the Mid-Atlantic Region Federation Nation Divisional Championship to be held on Lake Kerr in Virginia .

The Jr. State Team for 2008 was established from this tournament also and will consist of the following anglers:  Nick Dietrich, Andrew Sams, A.J. Dipietro, Logan Mellott, Mike Nutter, Danny Roselle, Seth Wills and Alex Thomas.

Nich Dietrich took lunker award in the 11-14 age group with a 3.09 lb. fish; and Robert Staley (15-18 age group) had a 3.79 lb. fish.

There were 74 keepers caught during this youth event.  A great big Thank You go out to the following boat captains, who took the time and made this event possible for our youth:  Charles King, Randy Richards, Mike Day, Rick Lanore, Kevin Waterman, Rick May, Ray Minton, Tom Rollins, John Sims, Greg Hosteller, Cliff Mangus, and Ed Riley.

Thanks to Randy Elliott, who was the weighmaster, and Ron Hines, who bumped fish.  These two individuals were also the rescue boats for the tournament.  The last hour of the tournament a boat went down and Randy gave his boat up, with Ron towing the disabled boat in.  Class act, guys.  Thanks again.

After the weigh-in, a cookout was held, consisting of hamburgers and hot dogs, which were donated by Gary Hemp of Hemp Meats in Jefferson , Maryland .  A very special thank you, Gary; we appreciate your support of our youth program.

The State CastingKids Championship was held prior to the tournament.  Thanks go to Randy Dotson for running this event.  Thanks also to Rich Weldon and everyone that volunteered at both events – you all made this happen.

The two youth who will advance to the Mid-Atlantic Region Federation Nation Divisional CastingKids Championship are Logan Kuhrmann (7-10 age group) and Johnny Duarte (11-14 age group).  Congratulations to both finalists!