Wray wrangles wind to take early Central Divisional Lead

Josh Wray of Omaha, Ark., takes the Day 1 lead in the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional on Lake Eufaula out of McAlester, Okla. with 14 pounds, 13 ounces.

Photo by Greg Huff/Bassmaster

June 4, 2014 - EUFAULA, Okla. — Embracing the wind, not trying to duck it, played heavily into B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional leader Josh Wray’s successful pattern today on Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula.

“I knew I could catch bigger fish if I’d stay where the wind was really hitting the worst and driving everybody else away,” said the Arkansas B.AS.S. Nation angler. “I just followed the wind.”

Wray caught a five-bass limit weighing 14 pounds, 13 ounces on a day when limits were hard to come by — fewer than a dozen anglers caught five. After catching a small limit early in the day, he kept battling the wind with his trolling motor, hoping to improve his bag.

“I culled three doing that, so it worked out,” he said. “Everything just went right today.”

Wray, a Green Forest Bass Club member from Omaha, Ark., is fishing in his third B.A.S.S. Nation divisional. In 2011, he placed third in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship as a nonboater, narrowly missing a chance to fish in the Bassmaster Classic.

“I missed the Classic by 2 pounds,” he said. He’s eager to get another crack at qualifying.

In second place after Day 1 on Eufaula is Trevor Rogge of San Antonio, Texas, with 13-14. Rounding out the Top 5 are Mark Wiese Jr. of High Ridge, Mo., 13-8; Mick Maples of Rolla, Mo., 12-14; and Chris Torkelson of Sand Springs, Okla., 12-9.

Oklahoma leads in the state competition, with 34 fish for 82 pounds, 7 ounces. Nebraska is in second place, with 29 for 71-8, and right behind is Louisiana, 35 for 71-5.

Wray, Rogge, Wiese and Torkelson are the top anglers for the Arkansas, Texas, Missouri and Kansas teams, respectively. David Cavell, in 10th place with 10-13, leads the Louisiana B.A.S.S. Nation team. Leading the Mississippi team is Teb Jones, in sixth place, with 11-6. Lee Wubbels, in 11th place with 10-6, leads the Nebraska team. Robert DeGraffenreid, in seventh place with 11 pounds, leads the Oklahoma team.

The top angler from each state at the end of competition will advance to the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Nov. 6-8, on Louisiana’s Ouachita River.

Oklahoma B.A.S.S. Nation angler Bo Middleton caught the biggest bass of the day, a 5-pound, 8-ounce smallmouth. If no bass trumps his over the next two days, Middleton will win Carhartt Big Bass of the tournament, a prize worth $500.

Competition resumes tomorrow with a 6 a.m. CT launch time at Southpoint Ramp at Eufaula Cove. The weigh-in is at the South Point Pavilion beginning at 2 p.m. Competition concludes on Friday, June 6. Stay tuned to Bassmaster.com for updates.

2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha

2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: Boat US, Booyah, Carhartt, Diet Mountain Dew, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Plano, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano

2014 BASS Nation Central Divisional 6/4-6/6
Lake Eufaula, Eufaula  OK.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 1

  Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts  
1.  Josh Wray              Omaha, AR (AR)          5  14-13  0
2.  Trevor Rogge           San Antonio, TX (TX)    5  13-14  0
3.  Mark Wiese Jr.         High Ridge, MO (MO)     5  13-08  0
4.  Mick Maples            Rolla, MO (MO)          5  12-14  0
5.  Chris Torkleson        Sand Springs, OK (KS)   5  12-09  0
6.  Teb Jones              Hattiesburg, MS (MS)    5  11-06  0
7.  Robert Degraffenreid   Oklahoma Cty, OK (OK)   4  11-00  0
8.  David Frank            Rogers, AR (AR)         4  10-15  0
9.  Brian Penning          Wichita, KS (KS)        5  10-14  0
10. David Cavell           Prairieville, LA (LA)   4  10-13  0
11. Lee Wubbels            Lincoln, NE (NE)        3  10-06  0
12. Preston Frazell        Cleveland, OK (KS)      5  09-15  0
13. Kristoffer Cooley      Mountain Home, AR (AR)  5  09-13  0
14. John Soukup            Agra, OK (OK)           4  09-08  0
15. Albert Collins         Nacogdoches, TX (TX)    4  09-07  0
16. Nate Maher             OTTUMWA, IA (MO)        4  09-04  0
17. Jason Windham          Crawford, TX (TX)       4  09-03  0
18. Jamie Laiche           Gonzales, LA (LA)       4  08-11  0
19. Gary Daniel            Harrison, AR (AR)       3  08-06  0
20. Pat Klausen            Lincoln, NE (NE)        4  08-02  0
21. Tim Carmouche          Gonzales, LA (LA)       3  07-13  0
21. Roger Coleman          Lincoln, NE (NE)        3  07-13  0
23. Brad Samuelson         Shawnee, KS (NE)        3  07-10  0
24. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA (LA)       4  07-08  0
25. Keith Blackstone       Choctaw, OK (OK)        4  07-07  0
26. Brandon Pedigo         Durant, OK (OK)         5  07-05  0
27. Billy Lemon            Sand Springs, OK (OK)   3  07-04  0
28. Landon Dixon           Norman, OK (OK)         2  07-02  0
29. Jay Ladner             Kiln, MS (MS)           3  07-01  0
29. Kenny Wasmund          South Sioux City, NE (N 3  07-01  0
31. Richard Riley          Omaha, NE (NE)          3  06-14  0
32. Yancey Hartzer         Culbertson, NE (NE)     3  06-13  0
33. Brent Malone           Grove, OK (OK)          2  06-11  0
34. Troy Enmeier           Enid, OK (OK)           3  06-10  0
35. Curry Schaubhut JR     Gramercy, LA (LA)       4  06-06  0
36. Jason Buller           McAlester, OK (OK)      3  06-05  0
37. Duane Hanzlik          St. Joseph, MO (NE)     3  06-04  0
38. Michael Smith          Harrison, AR (AR)       3  06-02  0
39. Jason Pecoraro         Youngsville, LA (LA)    3  05-13  0
40. Brannon Long           Longview, TX (TX)       2  05-13  0
41. Bo Middleton           Elgin, OK (OK)          1  05-08  0
42. Ryland Kirchoff        Corpus Christi, TX (TX) 2  05-07  0
43. Abe Yang               Kansas City, KS (KS)    2  05-04  0
44. Gary Martin            Waco, TX (TX)           1  05-01  0
45. Brett Millner          Canyon, TX (TX)         2  04-15  0
46. Dustin Blevins         Harrison, AR (AR)       2  04-14  0
47. Tray Huddleston        Russellville, AR (AR)   3  04-13  0
48. Trevor Yates           Norman, OK (OK)         2  04-12  0
49. Logan Main             Perkinston, MS (MS)     2  04-11  0
50. Will Major             Port Allen, LA (LA)     3  04-10  0
51. Heath Fall             Prairieville, LA (LA)   2  04-10  0
52. Greg Cooper            Monroe City, MO (MO)    2  04-09  0
53. Jack Wood              Benton, AR (AR)         2  04-06  0
54. Rick Mabile            Pierre Part, LA (LA)    2  04-05  0
55. Kevin Parker           Sumrall, MS (MS)        1  04-05  0
56. Chuck Bonnett III      Camdenton, MO (MO)      2  04-01  0
56. Savie Goff             Lucedale, MS (MS)       2  04-01  0
58. Kyle Klein             Hutchinson, KS (KS)     2  04-00  0
59. Skipper Smith          Moss Point, MS (MS)     2  03-14  0
60. Nick Ash               Omaha, NE (NE)          1  03-14  0
61. Jean Trahan            Lafayette, LA (LA)      2  03-13  0
62. Brett Bellard          Duson, LA (LA)          2  03-10  0
63. Harvey Horne           Bella Vista, AR (AR)    2  03-09  0
64. Jim Simpson            Canyon, TX (TX)         2  03-08  0
65. Terrell Foster         Natchez, MS (MS)        1  03-07  0
66. Mark Boswell           Corning, IA (NE)        1  03-06  0
67. Blake Betz             Baton Rouge, LA (LA)    2  03-05  0
67. Jerry Pape             Milford, IA (NE)        2  03-05  0
69. Destre Dedeaux         Meadville, MS (MS)      1  03-01  0
70. Kris Lee               Coweta, OK (OK)         1  02-15  0
70. Travis Tunnell         Benton, KS (KS)         1  02-15  0
72. Duane Fears            Fort Smith, AR (AR)     1  02-12  0
73. Mike Brooks            Winchester, KS (MO)     1  02-11  0
74. Jason Buchanan         Burnet, TX (TX)         1  01-14  0
75. Joel Mayfield          Perkinston, MS (MS)     1  01-12  0
76. Jeff Denton            Lubbock, TX (TX)        1  01-11  0
76. James Parsons          Topeka, KS (KS)         1  01-11  0
78. Bobby Foskey           Biloxi, MS (MS)         1  01-09  0
79. Beau Branine           Haysville, KS (KS)      1  01-08  0
80. Rick Carroll           Rolla, MO (MO)          1  01-05  0
80. Greg Voss              Jefferson City, MO (MO) 1  01-05  0
82. Charlie Bogard         Saint Charles, MO (MO)  0  00-00  0
82. Bruce Carter           Katy, TX (TX)           0  00-00  0
82. Jeremy Dinneen         Salina, KS (KS)         0  00-00  0
82. TX HS - Bludworth Garner Douglass, TX (TX)       0  00-00  0
82. MS HS - Bullock / Goff Moss Point, MS (MS)     0  00-00  0
82. Jackie Gordon          Lindale, TX (TX)        0  00-00  0
82. John Hill              Western Grove, AR (AR)  0  00-00  0
82. Raymond Hillebrand     Leavenworth, KS (MO)    0  00-00  0
82. Jeff Hinton            Moss Point, MS (MS)     0  00-00  0
82. NE HS - Schaefer / Iossi Omaha, NE (NE)          0  00-00  0
82. LA HS - Kelly / King   Denham Springs, LA (LA) 0  00-00  0
82. KS HS - Wagner / Luna  Grain Valley, MO (KS)   0  00-00  0
82. Kevin Miller           Andover, KS (KS)        0  00-00  0
82. Jimmy Murphy           Moss Point, MS (MS)     0  00-00  0
82. Brandon Orton          Memphis, MO (MO)        0  00-00  0
82. David Padgett          Republican City, NE (NE 0  00-00  0
82. John Russell           Mt Vernon, MO (KS)      0  00-00  0
82. Kris Schroeder         Greenwood, MO (MO)      0  00-00  0
82. AR HS- Neff / Schureman Rogers, AR (AR)         0  00-00  0
82. MO HS - Lenhert / Soske Kansas City, MO (MO)    0  00-00  0
82. Mark Stafford          Van Buren, AR (AR)      0  00-00  0
82. OK HS - Valdez / Torkleson Sand Springs, OK (OK)   0  00-00  0
82. Douglas Troxel         Moran, KS (KS)          0  00-00  0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       10       214       500-00
----------------------------------
10       214       500-00

TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
----------------------------------
State                Lbs-Oz
1 OKLAHOMA              82-07
2 NEBRASKA              71-08
3 LOUISIANA             71-05
4 ARKANSAS              70-07
5 TEXAS                 60-13
6 MISSOURI              49-09
7 KANSAS                48-12
8 MISSISSIPPI           45-03

INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

KANSAS
Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Chris Torkleson      Sand Springs, OK            5   12-09  0
2 Brian Penning        Wichita, KS                 5   10-14  0
3 Preston Frazell      Cleveland, OK               5   09-15  0
4 Abe Yang             Kansas City, KS             2   05-04  0
5 Kyle Klein           Hutchinson, KS              2   04-00  0
6 Travis Tunnell       Benton, KS                  1   02-15  0
7 James Parsons        Topeka, KS                  1   01-11  0
8 Beau Branine         Haysville, KS               1   01-08  0
9 Jeremy Dinneen       Salina, KS                  0   00-00  0
9 KS HS - Wagner / Luna Grain Valley, MO            0   00-00  0
9 Kevin Miller         Andover, KS                 0   00-00  0
9 John Russell         Mt Vernon, MO               0   00-00  0
9 Douglas Troxel       Moran, KS                   0   00-00  0

OKLAHOMA
Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, OK            4   11-00  0
2 John Soukup          Agra, OK                    4   09-08  0
3 Keith Blackstone     Choctaw, OK                 4   07-07  0
4 Brandon Pedigo       Durant, OK                  5   07-05  0
5 Billy Lemon          Sand Springs, OK            3   07-04  0
6 Landon Dixon         Norman, OK                  2   07-02  0
7 Brent Malone         Grove, OK                   2   06-11  0
8 Troy Enmeier         Enid, OK                    3   06-10  0
9 Jason Buller         McAlester, OK               3   06-05  0
10 Bo Middleton         Elgin, OK                   1   05-08  0
11 Trevor Yates         Norman, OK                  2   04-12  0
12 Kris Lee             Coweta, OK                  1   02-15  0
13 OK HS - Valdez / Torkleson Sand Springs, OK            0   00-00  0

LOUISIANA
Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 David Cavell         Prairieville, LA            4   10-13  0
2 Jamie Laiche         Gonzales, LA                4   08-11  0
3 Tim Carmouche        Gonzales, LA                3   07-13  0
4 Robbie Latuso        Gonzales, LA                4   07-08  0
5 Curry Schaubhut JR   Gramercy, LA                4   06-06  0
6 Jason Pecoraro       Youngsville, LA             3   05-13  0
7 Will Major           Port Allen, LA              3   04-10  0
8 Heath Fall           Prairieville, LA            2   04-10  0
9 Rick Mabile          Pierre Part, LA             2   04-05  0
10 Jean Trahan          Lafayette, LA               2   03-13  0
11 Brett Bellard        Duson, LA                   2   03-10  0
12 Blake Betz           Baton Rouge, LA             2   03-05  0
13 LA HS - Kelly / King Denham Springs, LA          0   00-00  0

NEBRASKA
Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Lee Wubbels          Lincoln, NE                 3   10-06  0
2 Pat Klausen          Lincoln, NE                 4   08-02  0
3 Roger Coleman        Lincoln, NE                 3   07-13  0
4 Brad Samuelson       Shawnee, KS                 3   07-10  0
5 Kenny Wasmund        South Sioux City, NE        3   07-01  0
6 Richard Riley        Omaha, NE                   3   06-14  0
7 Yancey Hartzer       Culbertson, NE              3   06-13  0
8 Duane Hanzlik        St. Joseph, MO              3   06-04  0
9 Nick Ash             Omaha, NE                   1   03-14  0
10 Mark Boswell         Corning, IA                 1   03-06  0
11 Jerry Pape           Milford, IA                 2   03-05  0
12 NE HS - Schaefer / Iossi Omaha, NE                   0   00-00  0
12 David Padgett        Republican City, NE         0   00-00  0

MISSOURI
Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Wiese Jr.       High Ridge, MO              5   13-08  0
2 Mick Maples          Rolla, MO                   5   12-14  0
3 Nate Maher           OTTUMWA, IA                 4   09-04  0
4 Greg Cooper          Monroe City, MO             2   04-09  0
5 Chuck Bonnett III    Camdenton, MO               2   04-01  0
6 Mike Brooks          Winchester, KS              1   02-11  0
7 Rick Carroll         Rolla, MO                   1   01-05  0
7 Greg Voss            Jefferson City, MO          1   01-05  0
9 Charlie Bogard       Saint Charles, MO           0   00-00  0
9 Raymond Hillebrand   Leavenworth, KS             0   00-00  0
9 Brandon Orton        Memphis, MO                 0   00-00  0
9 Kris Schroeder       Greenwood, MO               0   00-00  0
9 MO HS - Lenhert / Soske Kansas City, MO             0   00-00  0

ARKANSAS
Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Josh Wray            Omaha, AR                   5   14-13  0
2 David Frank          Rogers, AR                  4   10-15  0
3 Kristoffer Cooley    Mountain Home, AR           5   09-13  0
4 Gary Daniel          Harrison, AR                3   08-06  0
5 Michael Smith        Harrison, AR                3   06-02  0
6 Dustin Blevins       Harrison, AR                2   04-14  0
7 Tray Huddleston      Russellville, AR            3   04-13  0
8 Jack Wood            Benton, AR                  2   04-06  0
9 Harvey Horne         Bella Vista, AR             2   03-09  0
10 Duane Fears          Fort Smith, AR              1   02-12  0
11 John Hill            Western Grove, AR           0   00-00  0
11 AR HS- Neff / Schureman Rogers, AR                  0   00-00  0
11 Mark Stafford        Van Buren, AR               0   00-00  0

MISSISSIPPI
Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Teb Jones            Hattiesburg, MS             5   11-06  0
2 Jay Ladner           Kiln, MS                    3   07-01  0
3 Logan Main           Perkinston, MS              2   04-11  0
4 Kevin Parker         Sumrall, MS                 1   04-05  0
5 Savie Goff           Lucedale, MS                2   04-01  0
6 Skipper Smith        Moss Point, MS              2   03-14  0
7 Terrell Foster       Natchez, MS                 1   03-07  0
8 Destre Dedeaux       Meadville, MS               1   03-01  0
9 Joel Mayfield        Perkinston, MS              1   01-12  0
10 Bobby Foskey         Biloxi, MS                  1   01-09  0
11 MS HS - Bullock / Goff Moss Point, MS              0   00-00  0
11 Jeff Hinton          Moss Point, MS              0   00-00  0
11 Jimmy Murphy         Moss Point, MS              0   00-00  0

TEXAS
Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Trevor Rogge         San Antonio, TX             5   13-14  0
2 Albert Collins       Nacogdoches, TX             4   09-07  0
3 Jason Windham        Crawford, TX                4   09-03  0
4 Brannon Long         Longview, TX                2   05-13  0
5 Ryland Kirchoff      Corpus Christi, TX          2   05-07  0
6 Gary Martin          Waco, TX                    1   05-01  0
7 Brett Millner        Canyon, TX                  2   04-15  0
8 Jim Simpson          Canyon, TX                  2   03-08  0
9 Jason Buchanan       Burnet, TX                  1   01-14  0
10 Jeff Denton          Lubbock, TX                 1   01-11  0
11 Bruce Carter         Katy, TX                    0   00-00  0
11 TX HS - Bludworth Garner Douglass, TX                0   00-00  0
11 Jackie Gordon        Lindale, TX                 0   00-00  0