Meet the contenders - Bassmaster

<p>For the last several months, anglers have been working through their respective ranks to qualify for the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, which is coming up Nov. 6-8 on Louisiana's Ouachita River. A total of 59 competitors have earned a berth in the championship. Most won their invitation by finishing at the top in their state at a B.A.S.S. Nation divisional. A few international qualifiers earned their spot by winning a championship in their nation. One â Jeff Lugar â will return to defend his title from last year's championship, and the final qualifier â Tony Choe â won his ticket by winning Angler of the Year on the Paralyzed Veterans of America Tour. Meet the contenders in the next few slides. Six of them will win their divisions in the championship and qualify to compete in the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.</p>

For the last several months, anglers have been working through their respective ranks to qualify for the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, which is coming up Nov. 6-8 on Louisiana’s Ouachita River. A total of 59 competitors have earned a berth in the championship. Most won their invitation by finishing at the top in their state at a B.A.S.S. Nation divisional. A few international qualifiers earned their spot by winning a championship in their nation. One â Jeff Lugar â will return to defend his title from last year’s championship, and the final qualifier â Tony Choe â won his ticket by winning Angler of the Year on the Paralyzed Veterans of America Tour. Meet the contenders in the next few slides. Six of them will win their divisions in the championship and qualify to compete in the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.

Greg Alexander will be going to his sixth B.A.S.S. Nation Championship this year. That’s right, sixth. Alexander lives in Maryland, but he’ll represent Delaware’s Tidewater Bass in the championship. He’s a housing contractor, and when he’s not working or fishing, he likes rustic camping, hunting, reading and traveling.

Leo Bevelaqua of Rhode Island has been to the championship a couple of times before, including last year. He’s a member of the Kent County Bass Anglers. He owns his own construction company, and when he’s not fishing or working, he likes spending time with his family.

Michael Boggs II will be making his second appearance at a B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on the Ouachita. The last time he qualified, that’s where the championship was, and now he’ll be looking for the Classic spot that he didn’t win last time. With a little experience on the river now, maybe he’ll prevail. Boggs lives in Ohio but will be representing the Louisa Bass Club of Kentucky. Boggs is a maintenance coordinator for Marathon Refinery, and he keeps himself busy with deer hunting and coaching baseball and basketball.

Japie Botha is making a long trip to get to Louisiana — all the way from Pretoria, South Africa. He hails from the Centurion club, and it’s his first championship. Botha is a civil engineer, specializing in water engineering. And what does he do when he’s not on the water? He likes to play a round of golf.

Doug Brownridge of Ontario is a member of the Mississauga Bassmasters, and this is his first BNC. He works in his family business as a greenhouse grower. And what does he do in his spare time? “Work, fish, eat, sleep. No time for extras,” he says.

Randy Burch is Wisconsin through-and-through. One of his favorite things to do is watch the Packers. He must be pretty good at fishing in Wisconsin, too, because he’s made the state team 17 times, and he’s gone to the championship three times before. He fishes with the Flambeau Bassmasters, and to raise cash to support his hobby (and his five children and multiple grandchildren, too!), he works as a salesman for A&D Decks.

Coby Carden made it to the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, and now he wants another shot at it. Carden is a member of the LA Po Boys in Alabama, and he’s a salesman for Builders FirstSource as well as assistant chief at the Southeast Shelby County Rescue. He likes hunting and four-wheeling — and spending time on the water with his kids.

David Cavell of Louisiana is a member of the Ascension Area Anglers, and he will make the very short trip over to Monroe to compete in his first championship. Cavell is an insurance agent for work. But for play, he sounds like a party: He likes tailgating, hanging out at the beach, cooking and traveling.

Tony Choe of Virginia will represent the Paralyzed Veterans of America at the championship. It will be his third time as PVA’s angler at the BNC. Choe is a computer specialist, but he’s way more fun than that. He enjoys wheelchair tennis and wheelchair road racing when he’s not sitting at a desk.

Albert Collins of Texas has already competed in a Bassmaster Classic, just a couple of years ago. He made it to the Big Show by winning the top spot in the Weekend Series — only a week after not winning a berth via the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. Collins gets plenty of fishing experience as a guide on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. He’s a member of the Nacogdoches Bass Club.

Earl Conway of New Mexico is an engineering manager, and having to use such ‘smarts’ in his day job definitely helps him tackle the issues he faces in his volunteer work as the state’s conservation director. He’s a member of the Albuquerque Hawg Hunters, and he likes hunting when he’s not out fishing.

Eric Corbella Salvia of Spain will compete in his first B.A.S.S. Nation Championship this year. Back home, he’s a web programmer, and he likes to read books and play soccer. He’s a member of ADPAN in Spain.

Troy Danes has made history as the first Australian ever to qualify for the BNC. He won the Australian championship by less than an ounce to earn his berth. He likes hanging out with his family and friends, as well as listening to music — loud. Danes is also a big fan of gardening or just tinkering around in his shed.

Kurt Denning of Indiana will likely be the only BNC contender who can tell you the value of X if Y equals 5 and there’s a hypotenuse thrown in there. That’s because he’s a high school math teacher. Thankfully for the rest of the field, no knowledge of algebra or geometry will be required to win. When Denning’s not on his calculator, he’s hunting or he’s coaching cross country. He’s a member of the Shallow Minded Anglers, and this is his first championship.

Troy Diede of South Dakota could bench press you. Or maybe not. Either way, he lifts weights and hits the gym in his spare time, when he’s not hanging out with his wife and two kids. He’s an engineering technician, and he fishes with the 500 Bassmasters. This will be his first trip to the championship.

Rob Digh of North Carolina likes being outdoors. He camps, golfs and hunts when he’s not busy with his job as a land manager and a big game outfitter. Digh has already been to the championship once, back when it was on the Red River.

Will Duncan of South Carolina could potentially cash his own check from his winnings at the championship — because he’s a banker. But hanging out near the vault is not his life. He’s big into hunting, watching sports and running. He’s a member of the Conway Bassmasters, and this will be his first championship.

Preston Frazell lives in Oklahoma, but he’ll be representing Kansas at the championship. He’s a salesman, and he likes hunting. He’s a member of the Outcast Bass Nation, and this will be his second trip to the BNC.

George Cooper of Maine will be competing in his third BNC, and the last one he was in was also on the Ouachita River, so he goes to Louisiana with some experience under his belt. Cooper is a mechanical engineer. He’s a member of the Southern Maine Anglers, and when he’s not fishing, he’s still outdoors, whether he’s hunting, snowmobiling or four-wheeling.

Ken Golub of New York, a field sales leader for Allstate, enjoys photography, but he won’t be toting around a camera at the championship. He’ll be too busy concentrating on doing well at his first BNC. The member of the Rochester Bassmasters might give you a prize if you can correctly pronounce his last name on the first try: Golubjatnikov. It’s better for everyone if you just call him Golub.

Daniel Gray of Pennsylvania already has a couple of BNCs under his belt, but he doesn’t have a Classic qualification — yet. The best thing about Gray is, if your back needs cracking at the championship, he’s the right guy to be in the boat with. He’s a chiropractor. When he’s not making spinal adjustments, he’s archery hunting or flipping houses. He sounds like a great candidate for a reality show on Bravo.

Jason Hickey of Idaho is a member of Payette River Bass, and he’s quite skilled at home renovations. When he’s not doing an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, you’ll likely find him grilling out for his wife and four kids.

Randy Huffman of West Virginia is kind of a big deal. He’s the cabinet secretary of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. He’s also a colonel in the West Virginia Air National Guard. When he’s not protecting the homeland, Huffman enjoys hunting and, on Sundays, he’s teaching Sunday school. He’s a member of the Classic Bound Bass, and he’ll be working for a spot in the Classic in his first BNC.

Clint Johanson of Washington is a contractor by trade, but he spends his free time doing all types of fun stuff — kayaking, or riding snowmobiles, mountain bikes or dirt bikes. He’s a member of the Washington River Runners, and this is his third championship.

Tim Johnston made headlines last year as being the least likely man to win the Bassmaster Classic. Called “Mr. 150-to-1,” Johnston took his low odds in stride and simply enjoyed being among the best in the sport at the 2014 Classic. Now, he has another shot as he’s progressed to yet another championship. Johnston is a nurse anesthetist in Montana, and he likes making lures, coaching baseball and playing guitar.

Teb Jones is not only the president of the MIssissippi B.A.S.S. Nation; he’s also the chapter’s top competitor this year. He’ll make the short drive to Louisiana next month to compete in his third championship. He’s a member of the Petal Bass Club, and when he’s not fishing or doing work on behalf of the B.A.S.S. Nation, he’s working as an insurance agent.

Jeff Kenney of Massachusetts may have the longest time between B.A.S.S. Nation championships of anyone, ever. The last time he qualified for the BNC was 1980. Now, 34 years later, he’s working for another shot at the Bassmaster Classic. He’s a member of the Tri-County Bassmasters, and he’s a logistics supervisor for his day job.

Cody King of Oregon is a member of the Mid Columbia Bassmasters. He works as a purchasing manager for RU Manufacturing, and he likes hunting, hiking and playing golf. This will be his first trip to the championship.

Koji Kuroda will be one of the competitors making a very long international trip. Hailing from Japan, Kuroda will cross the ocean to compete in his first BNC. He’s a businessman back home, where he’s a member of the Central Bassmasters. For fun, he likes to drive around and look at the sights in his beautiful country.

Mike Lavallee of Utah is a big fan of the outdoors. He’s into hunting elk, riding four-wheelers, riding dirt bikes and camping. He also likes to pimp out trucks. Lavallee is a member of the Top of Utah Bass Anglers, and this will be his first trip to the championship.

Rich Lindgren of Minnesota likes to travel, which is good because he has a solid 15-hour drive to Louisiana for his first BNC. He’s a packaging engineer by trade, and he’s a member of Twin City Bass.

Jeff Lugar of Virginia won the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, so he gets to come back and defend his title. He competed in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic after his win, then he went back home to resume his regular-guy life as the production manager for a plastics company. He’s got plenty to keep him busy, listing hunting, camping, jogging and listening to music as his favorite activities. He’s a member of the Rockingham Bass Anglers.

Steve Lund of Arizona is a member of Surprise Bass (are you surprised?). He’s a retired Marine (oorah!) and he owns several rental properties. When he’s not collecting rent or evicting bad tenants, he likes to go hunting.

Ian McDonald of Illinois is a member of the Prairie State Bassmasters, and he’s heading to his first championship. He’s a business development manager by day, but when he’s not working, he goes upland bird hunting, shooting, cycling, running or snowboarding. He also likes to play guitar. And, he says, he likes spending time with his girlfriend. (Awww!)

Levi McNeill of Utah will represent Wyoming in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. This is his first BNC. He likes playing golf and softball, and during his working hours, he’s a mechanic for Midvale City.

Rob Messenger of New Hampshire works as a mortgage banker. He’s a member of the Back Bay Bassmasters, and this will be his first championship. When he’s not fishing, he likes hiking, basketball, adventure races, golf and skiing.

Paul Mueller of Connecticut is a familiar face to most followers of the sport. That’s because last year, he won his division in the championship, went on to compete in the Classic — and then threatened to win it! He only lost by a pound and ended in second place. Mueller is a member of the Candlewood Bassmasters, and he fishes all year long as a guide. He enjoys all sports, especially basketball.

Ricardo Manuel Chapa Mira is the first representative of Portugal ever to compete in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. He’s in the commercial cork business, and he likes hunting and soccer. Mira is a member of the Evora Bassmasters.

Stratos Orphanides of Zimbabwe has, by far, the coolest name of any of the BNC contenders. Strati, as he’s known by friends, will cross the Atlantic soon to head to Louisiana for his first championship. Unlike his American counterparts, his hobbies include playing squash, cricket and field hockey. Orphanides is a transporter by trade, and he’s a member of Bigmouth.

JJ Patton of Iowa will be competing in his second BNC. He’s a family practice doctor, which, according to the dictionary, means that anything that chiropractor Dr. Daniel Gray can’t handle, Dr. Patton can. Both surely love always being considered “on duty,” even when at a fishing tournament. Patton is a member of the Elite Anglers of Iowa, and he likes to swim and coach youth sports.

Russell Phillips of Connecticut will represent Vermont at his first championship. He’s a member of the Rutland Bassmasters. He can do a little of everything, from farming to auto racing to his job as a welder and automotive technician.

Max Pieper is the first angler ever to represent Namibia in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. The country joined the B.A.S.S. Nation earlier this year, along with Australia and Portugal. Pieper is the director of a lighting sales agency. For fun, he goes hunting, kite surfing and mountain biking.

Waine Pittman of Georgia has been to the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship once before, and then, in 2008, he earned a spot in the 2009 Bassmaster Classic. He’s looking for another crack at the Classic for 2015. Pittman is an electrical engineer, but when he’s not electrically engineering things, he’s busy making his own fishing lures or going hunting. He’s a member of the West Georgia Bass Hunters.

Chad Prough of Florida is headed to his first championship. He’s a member of the Consolidated Bassmasters, and for work, he reports to the Florida Department of Transportation. He likes hanging out with his wife and two kids, and he also enjoys hunting.

Rodney Rice of Virginia is a member of the Morning Run Bassmasters. He’ll be making his first appearance at the BNC this November. He’s a field operations supervisor, and he likes coaching basketball and working on his family’s farm.

Gianni Rizzo of Italy is one of a handful of anglers who will travel from Europe to compete in the championship. This is Rizzo’s first time to qualify. He’s a member of the Bass Group, and he works as a greengrocer (Wikipedia says that means he’s a retail trader in fruits and vegetables). Rizzo likes to cook and to go snowboarding.

Edgar Mauricio Romero Renteria will represent Mexico at the BNC for the third time this November. He’s a mechanical engineer for automotive, and he likes to go hunting.

Danny Ryan of Ohio, a member of the Bent Rod Bassmasters, will be competing in his first championship. He’s a project manager by trade, but for fun, he plays and/or coaches soccer and baseball.

Michael Sentore of New Jersey is competing in his first championship, representing his club, Rippin Lipz. He’s a plumber, but when he’s not snaking drains, he’s hunting, camping, hiking or biking.

Scott Sheldon of Colorado is a member of the Centennial Bassmasters. He’ll be competing in his first BNC. He’s a manufacturer of pre-hung doors. He likes to hunt and to watch his son play baseball and his daughter play volleyball.

John Soukup of Oklahoma is a member of the North Central Bassmasters. This isn’t his first rodeo; he made it to the BNC in 2009. He’s a real estate investor and tile contractor. On the side, he likes working with his youth fishing club and spending time with his three kids.

Raleigh Todd of Tennessee is another of the ‘medical care team’ that appears to be assembling at the BNC. He’s an RN in the intensive care unit. Todd is a member of the Golden Circle Bass Anglers, and he enjoys coaching his daughter’s soccer team and playing golf.

Brian Trieschman of Maryland is another BNC first-timer. He’s a landscaper, and he loves riding his motorcycle and camping. He’s a member of the Deep Run Bassmasters.

Jesse Weener of Michigan is a member of the Macataw Bay Bassmasters, and he’s a BNC rookie. He’s a machinist by trade, and for fun, he hunts deer and plays golf.

Ron Welch of California is a BNC repeat, with a qualification to compete in last year’s event, too. He’s a physical therapist, and he’s working on finishing up his doctorate in PT, too. He looks cool on his custom motorcycle, for sure. He’s a member of Gilroy Bass.

Mark Wiese of Missouri is a BNC newbie. He’s a member of the Lake St. Louis Bassmasters, and he works in kitchen/bath sales and management. He likes to play golf and coach soccer and baseball, and he’s hosted a charity golf tournament for 18 years.

Kevin Wiggins of Nevada will be competing in his first championship, and he likes to travel. That’s good, because his drive to the BNC is going to be at least 22 hours. Wiggins is a member of the Nevada Bass Anglers.

Josh Wray of Arkansas is a member of the Green Forest Bass Club, and this will be his first BNC. He’s an insurance agent, and for fun, he takes his wife and two kids camping. He also likes cooking and truck pulling, although not at the same time.

Lee Wubbels of Nebraska has been to the championship once before, back when it was on the Red River. Wubbels likes to hunt and travel, and he’s retired from the. U.S. Army. He’s a member of the Great Plains Bassmasters.