‘Best Angler’ ESPY Winner Tops Women’s Leaderboard
Tammy Richardson Leads Day 1 of the Mercury Marine Women’s Bassmaster Tour
Huntersville, N.C. — If you just won an ESPY, do you relax and rest on your laurels?
Not if you’re Tammy Richardson of Amity, Ark., winner of the 2006 Best Angler ESPY award. Just two weeks after she beat three other BASS anglers and went to Hollywood to bring home the prestigious award, Richardson took the Day 1 lead Thursday in the Mercury Marine Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Triton Boats event on Lake Norman.
“Winning the ESPY just made me determined to fish harder,” said Richardson, 34. “I want to show that the ESPY wasn’t a fluke, that I can really fish.”
The five fish weighing 9 pounds she brought to the scales gave her just a 10-ounce lead over second-place holder Michelle Armstrong of Denver, N.C., who weighed in four fish for 8-6.
Richardson, who made history when she won the inaugural women’s event in April on Neely Henry Lake in Alabama and is in second place in the Toyota Angler of the Year race, said she tried everything to get her fish.
“Today I did what I call ‘trash fishing’ — throwing shallow, deep, shallow, deep,” she said. “I had 10 to 15 holes and didn’t spend much time at any one of them. When I had gone through them all, I circled back to try again. It was just hard to get a pattern.”
Lake Norman’s bass showed a streak of stubbornness to the entire field of 94 pros and their amateur partners fishing the third event of five on the 2006 WBT circuit. Just a handful of anglers brought five-fish limits to the scales. A regular on Lake Norman and local favorite to win, Armstrong called the lake “very fickle.”
“I fished not so much a pattern as I did known spots,” said Armstrong, who added that she often fished competitively with her husband, Troy, as a partner, “but when WBT was created, I decided to go out on my own.”
Third place was a tie at 8-5, just 1 ounce behind Armstrong. Sharing it were Christie Thomas of Reform, Ala. (formerly of South Africa), and Tammie Muse of North Little Rock, Ark. With 7-14, Patti Campbell of Waxahachie, Texas, scored fifth place.
WBT contenders are fishing for points as well as pounds. Points count toward qualifying for the inaugural Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship, Feb. 22-25, 2007, on Lake Mitchell in Alabama. Only the top 12 pros and 12 co-anglers in the points standings are invited.
The pros also are amassing points with an eye on becoming the first Toyota Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year. The points leader at the end of the season gets the title and a 2007 Toyota Tundra.
The Lake Norman WBT winner earns a Triton boat rig with Mercury outboard valued at $50,000. The event pays a total of about $85,000 to the top 25 finishers in the pro division.
On the co-angler side, Monica Altman of Angier, N.C., pulled into the lead with a catch of 5 pounds, 10 ounces. Trailing Altman were Cheryl Bowden of Plano, Texas, with 5-7; Heather Sullivan of Sitka, Alaska, with 5 pounds; Sharon Withers of Many, La., with 4-12; and Gerry Threadgill of Onalaska, Texas, with 4-3.
The first-place, co-angler prize is a Triton/Mercury package valued at $24,000 and $1,000 cash.
Pros and co-anglers will hit Lake Norman on Friday at 6 a.m. to determine which six pros and six co-anglers make the cut for Saturday’s finale. Friday’s weigh-in is scheduled to begin at 2:15 p.m. ET at Blythe Landing on Lake Norman in Huntersville.
After fishing Lake Norman on Saturday, the anglers will trailer to nearby Charlotte for a 3:15 p.m. weigh-in at the Cricket Arena, also site of the Bassmaster American presented by Advance Auto Parts weigh-in. The American is part of the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series season and features same-day television coverage on ESPN2 on Sunday, July 30 at 7 p.m. ET
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit http://www.bassmaster.com.
For related photos, click here to visit ESPNoutdoorsmedia.com. Click here to register for a username and password.
Mercury Marine Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Triton Boats
Location
Lake Norman
Huntersville, N.C.
July 27-29
Field
94 pros, 94 co-anglers
Field cuts to top six for after Day 2
Day 1 Big Bass
Pro: Kathi Hurst, Ripley, Miss., 4-7
Co-Angler: Denese Freeman, Lawton, Okla., 4-3
Co-Angler: Gerry Threadgill, Onalaska, Texas, 4-3
Day 1 Big Bag
Pro: Tammy Richardson, Amity, Ark., 9-0
Launch and Weigh-in
Blythe Landing
15901 Highway 73
Huntersville, NC 28078
Weigh-in Day 3
Cricket Arena
2700 E. Independence Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28205
Mercury Marine Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Triton Boats Sponsors
Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Advance Auto Parts, Plano Tackle Systems, Mustang and Toyota
Local Sponsors
Local sponsors include the Lake Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau and Hawthorne Suites, Ltd.
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events annually through the BASS Federation Nation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry’s widest array of services and support to its nearly 530,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
2006 Women's Bassmaster Tour Stop 4 BO 07/27-07/29 Lake Norman, Lake Norman N.C.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tammy Richardson Amity, Ark. 5 9-00 305
Day 1: 5 9-00
2. Michelle Armstrong Denver, N.C. 4 8-06 295
Day 1: 4 8-06
3. Christie Thomas Reform, Ala. 5 8-05 288
Day 1: 5 8-05
3. Tammie Muse North Little Rock, Ark 4 8-05 288
Day 1: 4 8-05
5. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, Texas 5 7-14 280
Day 1: 5 7-14
6. Laura Gober Pendergrass, Ga. 5 7-04 276
Day 1: 5 7-04
7. Doris Parsons Maiden, N.C. 2 6-15 272
Day 1: 2 6-15
8. Debra Petrowski Arlington, Texas 4 6-13 268
Day 1: 4 6-13
9. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, Tenn. 5 6-11 264
Day 1: 5 6-11
10. Mary Hencken Belmont, N.C. 4 6-01 258
Day 1: 4 6-01
10. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, Tenn. 2 6-01 258
Day 1: 2 6-01
12. Judy Wong Many, La. 3 6-00 254
Day 1: 3 6-00
13. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, Ga. 3 5-13 251
Day 1: 3 5-13
14. Danielle Kremer Osteen, Fla. 3 5-05 248
Day 1: 3 5-05
15. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga. 3 5-02 245
Day 1: 3 5-02
16. Betty Stahl Guntersville, Ala. 3 4-11 243
Day 1: 3 4-11
17. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, Okla. 3 4-10 240
Day 1: 3 4-10
17. Katrina Dehaven Phoenix, Ariz. 2 4-10 240
Day 1: 2 4-10
19. Kathi Hurst Ripley, Miss. 1 4-07 237
Day 1: 1 4-07
20. Cindy Caperton Madison, Tenn. 4 4-05 234
Day 1: 4 4-05
20. Tanya Kreuzer Mesa, Ariz. 3 4-05 234
Day 1: 3 4-05
22. Juanita Robinson Highlands, Texas 3 4-03 231
Day 1: 3 4-03
23. Emily Shaffer Mt Juliet, Tenn. 3 4-02 229
Day 1: 3 4-02
24. Tami Kashiwabara Nagano-Shi, Japan 2 4-00 227
Day 1: 2 4-00
25. Pat White Pleasanton, Texas 2 3-13 225
Day 1: 2 3-13
26. Rhonda Pope Waco, Ga. 2 3-09 223
Day 1: 2 3-09
27. Judy Antle Shepherdsville, Ky. 2 3-03 221
Day 1: 2 3-03
28. Sandra Sherred Pittsburgh, Pa. 2 3-02 219
Day 1: 2 3-02
29. Louise Howard Eufaula, Ala. 2 3-00 216
Day 1: 2 3-00
29. Kathy Womack Moody, Ala. 2 3-00 216
Day 1: 2 3-00
31. Sammie Denyes Baker, Fla. 2 2-15 212
Day 1: 2 2-15
31. Melanie Rockey White, Ga. 2 2-15 212
Day 1: 2 2-15
33. Sue Crochet Lake Charles, La. 2 2-12 209
Day 1: 2 2-12
34. Susan Gregory Long Beach, Miss. 1 2-11 207
Day 1: 1 2-11
35. Robin Babb Livingston, Texas 1 2-10 205
Day 1: 1 2-10
36. Jen Carroll Celina, Texas 1 2-09 203
Day 1: 1 2-09
37. Jan Heavener Sherwood, Ark. 2 2-07 200
Day 1: 2 2-07
37. Kimberlee Striker Cullman, Ala. 2 2-07 200
Day 1: 2 2-07
39. Cindy Hill Smyrna, Tenn. 2 2-05 195
Day 1: 2 2-05
39. Jan Hudson Harrison, Ark. 2 2-05 195
Day 1: 2 2-05
39. Deanie Tate Arkadelphia, Ark. 1 2-05 195
Day 1: 1 2-05
42. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, Okla. 1 1-15 191
Day 1: 1 1-15
43. Lisa Johnson Aragon, Ga. 1 1-11 187
Day 1: 1 1-11
43. Cheryl Lalumandier Harvester, Mo. 1 1-11 187
Day 1: 1 1-11
43. Shelley Perry Hurricane, W.Va. 1 1-11 187
Day 1: 1 1-11
46. Toni Stoner Ball Ground, Ga. 1 1-07 183
Day 1: 1 1-07
47. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 1 1-06 181
Day 1: 1 1-06
48. Joan Davis West Lafayette, Ind. 1 1-02 177
Day 1: 1 1-02
48. T Domingue Livingston, Texas 1 1-02 177
Day 1: 1 1-02
48. Kathy Tibbetts Centreville, Va. 1 1-02 0
Day 1: 1 1-02
51. Kathy Kirby Catawba, N.C. 1 0-15 172
Day 1: 1 0-15
51. Danalee Lofton Little Rock, Ark. 1 0-15 172
Day 1: 1 0-15
53. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, Va. 1 0-14 169
Day 1: 1 0-14
54. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, Texas 1 0-13 167
Day 1: 1 0-13
55. Sarah Augustine Lake Charles, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Darla Bardelli Glendale, Ariz. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Penny Berryman Hot Springs, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Caroline Carpenter Summerfield, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Lisa Craig Chandler, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Joan Craig London, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Kitsy Cunningham Eufaula, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Angela Dechau Pontiac, Mo. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Mary Divincenti Clinton, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Angie Douthit Clewiston, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Rose Ellis Birmingham, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Robinette Fox Hot Springs, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Susan Hand Muscle Shoals, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Debra Hengst San Antonio, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Conny Jenkins Knob Noster, Mo. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Crystal Langston Leighton, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Rae Lee Livingston, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Tina Lefler N Tazewell, Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Wanda Malmsbury Galena, Mo. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Lori Masters Nashville, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Kris Mcclendon Spicewood, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Laura Moore Vidor, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Teri Neal Cumming, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Linda Owens Brandon, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Janet Parker Little Elm, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Sue Parrish Indianapolis, Ind. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Carolyn Poole Defuniak Springs, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Marcia Rubin Chagrin Falls, Ohio 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Linda Sands Cullman, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Violette Sesco Citrus Springs, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Kelley Shepherd Cortez, Colo. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Kellie Skelton Farmington, N.M. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Ann Wells Danville, Ill. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Karen Welty Shelbyville, Ind. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Jonell Whitstine Many, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Carla Whitstine Pineville, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Secret York Benton, Ky. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
55. Cindy van horn Fort Worth, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
———————————————————————–
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 5 124 208-00
———————————-
5 124 208-00
2006 Women's Bassmaster Tour Stop 4 NB 07/27-07/29 Lake Norman, Lake Norman N.C.
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Monica Altman Angier, N.C. 2 5-10 305
Day 1: 2 5-10
2. Cheryl Bowden Plano, Texas 3 5-07 295
Day 1: 3 5-07
3. Heather Sullivan Sitka, Alaska 3 5-00 290
Day 1: 3 5-00
4. Sharon Withers Many, La. 3 4-12 285
Day 1: 3 4-12
5. Gerry Threadgill Onalaska, Texas 1 4-03 280
Day 1: 1 4-03
6. Susan Bowes Batavia, N.Y. 2 3-15 274
Day 1: 2 3-15
6. Denese Freeman Lawton, Okla. 2 3-15 274
Day 1: 2 3-15
8. Ronda Kirby Indianapolis, Ind. 3 3-14 268
Day 1: 3 3-14
9. Linda Berry Madison, N.C. 2 3-09 264
Day 1: 2 3-09
10. Bertha Cavakis Amity, Ark. 2 3-07 260
Day 1: 2 3-07
11. Tammie Ply Harrison, Ark. 2 3-00 257
Day 1: 2 3-00
12. Lesa Brown Harrison, Ark. 2 2-12 254
Day 1: 2 2-12
13. Diane Delagarza Garland, Texas 2 2-10 250
Day 1: 2 2-10
13. Jaye Smith Davison, Mich. 1 2-10 250
Day 1: 1 2-10
15. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, Pa. 2 2-04 244
Day 1: 2 2-04
15. Tracy Doty Roanoke, Texas 1 2-04 244
Day 1: 1 2-04
17. Angie Everitt Livingston, Texas 1 2-02 241
Day 1: 1 2-02
18. Kim Stapp Ringgold, Ga. 1 1-15 239
Day 1: 1 1-15
19. Arah Phillips Tyler, Texas 1 1-13 236
Day 1: 1 1-13
19. Summer Stephens Flintstone, Ga. 1 1-13 236
Day 1: 1 1-13
21. Sarah Busby Grand Lake, La. 1 1-12 232
Day 1: 1 1-12
21. Terri Mackinnon Milton, Canada 1 1-12 232
Day 1: 1 1-12
23. Sheila Merrow Freeport, Maine 1 1-10 227
Day 1: 1 1-10
23. Brenda Reeves Arlington, Texas 1 1-10 227
Day 1: 1 1-10
23. Keri Schieber Cumming, Ga. 1 1-10 227
Day 1: 1 1-10
26. Debra Cunningham Phoenix, Ariz. 1 1-09 223
Day 1: 1 1-09
27. Sylvia Hudson Jacksonville, Fla. 1 1-08 219
Day 1: 1 1-08
27. Billie Jaynes Deerpark, Texas 1 1-08 219
Day 1: 1 1-08
27. Karen Williams Stark City, Mo. 1 1-08 219
Day 1: 1 1-08
30. Carol M Boykin Indianapolis, Ind. 1 1-07 215
Day 1: 1 1-07
31. Bobbie Barfield Bainbridge, Ga. 1 1-03 212
Day 1: 1 1-03
31. Bj Carson Inola, Okla. 1 1-03 212
Day 1: 1 1-03
33. Deb Krueger Hastings, Mich. 1 0-14 209
Day 1: 1 0-14
34. Cheryl Allen Yantis, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Patricia Atkinson Millis, Mass. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Lila Bass Austin, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Renee Brisendine Eden, N.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Carrie Bronson Polk City, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Jo Dee Bucki Bessemer, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Cindy Burnham Ridgeway, Canada 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Shawn Conner Greenwood, Ind. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Cheryl Crafton Richmond, Ind. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Mary Croft Bedford, Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Beverly Dickson Little Rock, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Diana Dietzen Anderson, Ind. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Bonnie Erspamer Clarksville, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Vivian Estep Abingdon, Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, Ky. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Sue Freeman College Park, Md. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Lisa Garcia Merrimack, N.H. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Julie Garriety Grapevine, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Lillian Gutierrez San Antonio, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Laura Heflin Topeka, Kan. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Jennifer Helgren Park City, Ill. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Jacqueline Helton Russellville, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Vicki Hester Rainbow City, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Carilyn Hill Coweta, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Mary James Russellville, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Sandi Karnes Livingston, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Kimberly King Chesapeake, Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Sharon Mcewen East Mckeesport, Pa. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Robin Mcfarlane San Antonio, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Darla Mcintosh Punta Gorda, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Colleen Mckay Worcester, Mass. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Angela Mitchell Keswick, Canada 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Toni Mode Eagle Creek, Ore. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Teresa Morris Moscow, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Susan Owens Chesapeake, Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Charlene Parks Myakka City, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, Ohio 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Kay Pennington Pineville, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Donna Prado San Antonio, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Kathy Riley Terry, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Karen Roberts Ashland, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Kathy Rudy Latrobe, Pa. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, Mo. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Anne Salonish Latrobe, Pa. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Keary Shults Loxahatchee, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Diane Smith Fayetteville, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Kelly Spear Chardon, Ohio 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Allison Steckelberg Gainesville, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Laura Taylor Ft Walton Beach, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Paula Tharp Gore, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Judy Vancanneyt Iuka, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Cynthia Ward Baltimore, Md. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, Wash. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Robin Washburn Covington, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Kali Weatherford Athens, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
34. Susan Wild Washington, D.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
———————————————————————–
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 4 50 86-01
———————————-
4 50 86-01
