April 9 2011 – The 2nd Annual Argenta Oreana Bombers Invitational Bass Tournament took place on April 9, 2011 at Clinton Lake in Clinton, Illinois. There were 66 Illinois High School bass fishing teams entered from throughout Illinois. Entrants included teams from the following schools: Argenta Oreana, Maroa Forsyth, Oswego East, Champaign Centennial, Fisher, Okaw Valley, Monticello, Mt. Zion, Meridian, Normal West, Gibson City, Atwood Hammond, Clinton, West Prairie, Champaign Central, Decatur Eisenhower, Bishop McNamara, Eureka, Mahomet-Seymour, Leroy, New Trier, Midland, El Paso Gridley, St. Joe Ogden, Sandwich, Naperville Central, & Riverton. Each high school team consisted of a boat captain and two student anglers. Student anglers’ fish were only allowed to be weighed for competition.
First Place honors went to the team of Brent Rodgers & Dylan Nafziger from Normal West High School. They weighed in 6 fish for a total of 12.08 lbs. For Brent and Dylan’s win, they each took home a Abu Garcia rod and reel combo along with a set of Dobyns Savvy rods. Their team captain was Tim Sennett.
Second Place was won by the Clinton team of Austin Cooley, Brandon Bateson & Travis Taubee, who weighed in 6 bass for 11.78lbs. Austin, Brandon, and Travis were awarded two Pure Fishing rod and reel combos and tackle bags. The Clinton team boat captain was Jay Peterson owner of Peterson Insurance Agency.
In third place from Monticello High School was the team of Cole Cary and Mason Cary. They were captained by Joe Wrench. Cole and Mason weighed in 4 fish for a total weight of 11.34lbs. Cole and Mason were awarded a Pure Fishing prize package with two Pflueger rod and reel combos.
Fourth place went to the Monticello team of Luke Dunn and Grayson Strode. Luke and Grayson weighed in 6 fish for a total weight of 10.65lbs. Luke and Grayson took home two rod and reel combos courtesy of Pure Fishing. The Meridian boat captain was Larry Belskamper.
Rounding out the top 5 was the Gibson City-Melvin Sibley team of Drew Chase and Trevor Smith. They weighed in 3 fish for a total of 10.47lbs. Drew and Trevor won Pflueger rod and reel combos courtesy of Pure Fishing. Ed Kallal was the captain for this Gibson City-Melvin Sibley team.
Big Bass Honors went to last years tournament winners from Fisher, IL Justin Culbertson and Zach Owens. Zach and Justin big bass weighed 4.76lbs. For the Big Bass win, Zach and Justin took home a Abu Garcia rod and reel combo along with a Plano tackle box.
Sorrento’s Pizza in Clinton, IL and Forsyth, IL donated 24 pizza’s and delivered them to the weigh in area for all tournament entrants. Refreshment Services Pepsi in Decatur, IL also supplied various beverages served at the tournament as well. Every entrant in the AOBI took home prizes from Berkley, FLW Outdoors, Sorrento’s Pizza, Minn Kota, Ranger Boats, Evinrude, & Cabelas.
The Argenta Oreana Bombers Invitational would also like to say thank you to all of our sponsors who attended the event and volunteered their help. Jeff & Denise Burdick from Burdick Plumbing and Heating, Wayne Charron from the AO High School, and Jason Parsons from Ranger & Stratos Boats. We would also like to thank Terry Brown from www.wired2fish.com for help with the weigh in and awards presentation.
Tournament Sponsors Included: Ranger Boats, Stratos Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Humminbird Electronics, Minn Kota Trolling Motors, Pure Fishing, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Pfleuger, Fenwick, Mike’s Tackle World, Sorrento’s Pizza, Peterson Insurance, Burdick Plumbing & Heating, Dunn Company, Miles Chevrolet, Argenta Oreana High School, Refreshment Services Pepsi, Dobyns Rods, Cabelas, & Plano Molding.
Tournament Pictures can be seen at www.aobassfishing.net
2011 AOBI Final Standings | 2011 AOBI Sponsors
