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Texas Rookie Chad Griffin Beefs up Lead at Elite Series Event on Oneida Lake
August 15, 2009 - SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Elite Series rookie Chad Griffin has run out of superlatives to describe his week on Oneida Lake. He started the tournament as “tremendous” and “incredible,” but on Saturday the Cresson, Texas, pro didn’t know what to say. Instead he let his performance do the talking – Griffin built his three-day total to 50 pounds, 0 ounces, which was good enough for a more than 4-pound margin over Louisiana’s Greg Hackney at the Ramada Champion’s Choice.
After a highly productive practice, Griffin started the tournament Thursday with the biggest bass of the day but failed to capitalize on a few key bites. Friday he switched to smaller hooks and tallied the biggest limit of the tournament. On Saturday, he held strong, landing 16 pounds, 5 ounces, furthering his lead and taking a virtual stranglehold on the $100,000 top prize.
It would take a significant blip for Griffin to relinquish the tournament. For now, Griffin continues to soak up the good vibes he experienced this week when he first laid eyes on Oneida.
“I fell in love, man” said Griffin, 32. “It’s just a wonderful fishery. Right now, I’m not really nervous but I know what is at stake. No one else can control what I do. I just have to perform.”
Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Champion’s Choice on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, August 22, at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN. The daily weigh-ins for the regular-season finale and the two Elite Series postseason events will air live on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, while a wealth of unique content will also be available at Bassmaster.com.
For the third straight day, Griffin struck early, boating 15 pounds by 9 a.m. on topwater baits. By 12:30 p.m., he had rounded out his total and played it safe, heading back to the weigh-in venue with ample fishing time remaining. He had nothing but smallmouth Saturday, but he said he has been able to land largemouth throughout the tournament.
Griffin said he plans to stick with the topwater bite Sunday – he primarily used an EZEE jig Friday – and would also mix in some flipping. He feels that 17 pounds would make him virtually uncatchable, so he will target that amount.
“I don’t really know what to say,” said Griffin, whose best BASS finish is seventh. “I’m just trying to enjoy this. I will just let the chips fall where they may.”
Moving into second from fifth was Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., with a three-day total of 45 pounds, 12 ounces. Buoyed by a recent major tournament victory, Hackney said he has been able to clear his mind and fish relaxed.
He said he has peace of mind and has fished the way he wants. At Oneida, he has been able to execute a favored pattern, though he didn’t want to reveal the details. With his success this week, Hackney has put himself in contention for the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series postseason. Heading into Oneida, Hackney had little chance of qualifying, but things have played out perfectly for the three-time BASS winner.
“It’s so good to be able to fish the way you want to and have very little worries,” he said. “I wish everyone could experience it. Right now, I’m in the mind-set that if tomorrow is meant to be, maybe I will win this thing. Regardless, I like the way I’m fishing.”
Jumping eight places to third was Jeff Kriet of Ardmore, Okla., with 45 pounds, 4 ounces. Moving up to fourth from 15th was Gerald Swindle of Warrior, Ala., with 45-0, and rounding out the top five was Jason Quinn of York, S.C., with 44-15.
Only the top 12 anglers moved on to Sunday’s competition, and that field includes 2008 Oneida champion Dean Rojas (seventh) and home-state favorite Matt Sphar (eighth) of Pavilion, N.Y.
With the culmination of the regular season, the AOY points will be carried into the postseason, when the top 12 anglers will face off. Four-time AOY Kevin VanDam (27th) and Skeet Reese (14th) are jockeying for the lead, and Reese has taken a slim lead with his solid Oneida performance. Toyota Trucks Championship Week is set for Sept. 10-18 on two productive Alabama fisheries. The first of the two postseason tournaments, the Trophy Chase, will take place Sept. 12-13 on Lake Jordan out of Wetumpka; the finale, the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph, is slated for Sept. 17-18 on the Alabama River from Montgomery.
In the race to qualify for the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala., Elite Series veteran Matt Reed of Madisonville, Texas, and rookie Billy McCaghren of Mayflower, Ark., were on the bubble heading into the Champion’s Choice. McCaghren clinched a spot, finishing at Oneida in 25th, and also took home Rookie of the Year honors. Bernie Schultz of Gainesville, Fla., could punch his ticket with a solid Day 4 performance. The final standings will be available after the tournament concludes Sunday.
Fans are encouraged to attend the final Ramada Champion’s Choice launch (6 a.m. ET) and weigh-in (4 p.m.) Sunday at Oneida Shores County Park, 9400 Bartell Rd., Brewerton.
Other activities Sunday at the River Rumble will begin at 1 p.m. ET at Oneida Shores, featuring the popular Dog Training & Retriever Demonstrations Brought To You By SportDog.
Also Sunday is the live taping of Hooked Up, hosted by ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. The show, which will air live at 3:30 p.m. ET on Bassmaster.com, will preview Sunday’s final weigh-in.
All events at the Ramada Champion’s Choice are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNOutdoors.com for images and more.
The local sponsor of the Champion’s Choice is the Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Official sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards.
Supporting sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Bass Pro Shops, Costa Del Mar, Ramada, SpongeTech and Triton Boats.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multimedia platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content – from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage – to passionate audiences.
The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS annually sanctions more than 20,000 events.
BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
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Media Contact: Doug Grassian; (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com
2009 RAMADA CHAMPION’S CHOICE- DAY 3 STANDINGS
2009 Ramada Worldwide Champion's Choice 8/13-8/16
Oneida Lake, Syracuse NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 15 50-00 310
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 18-08 Day 3: 5 16-05
2. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 15 45-12 295
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 15-01
3. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 15 45-04 290
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 15-15
4. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 15 45-00 285
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 16-03
5. Jason Quinn York, SC 15 44-15 280
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 13-03
6. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 15 44-14 276
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 5 12-11
7. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 15 44-09 272
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 5 14-02
8. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 15 44-02 268
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 14-08
9. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 15 43-04 264
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 12-13 Day 3: 5 14-10
10. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 15 43-02 260
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 13-11
11. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 15 42-13 257
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 14-12
12. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 15 42-11 254
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 12-12
13. John Crews Salem, VA 15 42-11 251 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 13-09
14. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 15 42-11 248 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 13-15
15. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 15 42-07 245 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 5 14-12
16. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 15 42-07 243 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 15-05 Day 3: 5 14-04
17. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 15 42-06 241 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 14-05
18. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 15 42-05 239 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 13-02 Day 3: 5 15-07
19. Alton Jones Waco, TX 15 42-04 237 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 13-10 Day 3: 5 14-14
20. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 15 42-01 235 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 13-02
21. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 15 41-15 233 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 5 14-08
22. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 15 41-14 231 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 13-02 Day 3: 5 14-05
23. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 15 41-10 229 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 5 15-12
24. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 15 41-08 227 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 12-13
25. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 15 41-05 225 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 5 15-10
26. Randy Howell Springville, AL 14 41-04 228 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 13-08 Day 3: 4 10-03
27. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 15 41-01 221 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 13-02 Day 3: 5 13-15
28. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 15 40-15 219 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 12-11
29. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 15 40-15 217 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 13-05
30. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 15 40-13 215 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 12-05
31. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 15 40-13 213 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 14-04 Day 3: 5 14-01
32. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 15 40-09 211 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 5 12-00
33. Pat Golden High Point, NC 15 40-09 209 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 13-12
34. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 15 40-07 207 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 13-05 Day 3: 5 13-10
35. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 15 40-06 205 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 13-15
36. Jeff Reynolds Platter, OK 15 40-05 203 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 5 14-01
37. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 15 40-01 201 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 11-01
38. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 15 40-01 199 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 11-04
39. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 15 39-11 197 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 14-02 Day 3: 5 13-15
40. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 15 39-10 195 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 09-14
41. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 15 39-08 193 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 5 13-03
42. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 15 39-05 191 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 5 11-02
43. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 15 39-01 189 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 11-01
44. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 15 38-14 187 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 12-12
45. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 15 38-01 185 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 12-02 Day 3: 5 12-08
46. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 15 37-14 183 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 12-05
47. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 15 36-03 181 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 10-03
48. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 15 35-03 179 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 12-10 Day 3: 5 08-10
49. Clark Reehm Russellville, AR 15 34-00 177 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 5 07-13
50. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 10 26-12 175 $9,506.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 13-09 Day 3: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS
Day
1 Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 05-08 $0.00
2 Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 04-13 $0.00
3 Randy Howell Springville, AL 04-03 $0.00
3 Alton Jones Waco, TX 04-03 $0.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 96 480 1251-09
2 98 490 1274-03
3 48 244 650-10
----------------------------------
242 1214 3176-06
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