The pair posted a big fish of 34.82 pounds en route to the victory. Illinois’ Ron King, Craig Simler and Buddy Weisenburger took second place with 83.26 pounds, followed by Louisiana’s Mike Salazar, Floyd Manley and Trapper Salazar with 73.50 for third place.
Missouri’s Gary Taylor and John Young took fourth and Texans Randy Bane and Jerry Dillard finished in fifth.
Salina’s Shawn James was the highest Kansas finisher at 21st, catching 32.33 pounds of fish. Kansas City, Kan., resident Guy Masters finished 25th with 25.27 pounds alongside teammate John Hoverson, of Missouri. Other top-40 Kansas finishers include John Michael Berglund, of Lawrence, and Jeremy Beacham, of KCK, (22.56 pounds, 28th); Duane Buckridge, of Piper, with Missouri teammate Justin Thornton (9.40 pounds, 36th); Tim Berger and Tony Cantrell (9.27 pounds, 37th); and Brian Branstetter and Matt Brady, of KCK, (9.22 pounds, 38th).
Entrants to the national championship included residents of Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas and Missouri.