BASS announced today the complete roster for the 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series as the final 10 competitors were determined via the outcome of the Bassmaster Elite Series WildCard event. The 10 anglers who made the Elites through the WildCard will join the previously announced 100 competitors who qualified via the Bassmaster Elite Series or the Bassmaster Open circuits.
The field of 110 anglers will vie for more than $7.5 million in cash through 11 Elite Series events. The Elite anglers hold among them 17 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles and almost 200 BASS victories.
The Elite Series will kick off in less than three months with the March 6-9 Sunshine Showdown on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes. In 2008, Elite anglers will fish all BASS events out of their own branded boats.
“We continue to receive positive feedback about the direction of the Elite Series,” said Jamie Wilkinson, BASS senior director of events. “We are excited to provide the anglers with the ultimate brand-building opportunity in professional fishing.”
Once again, the 11 Elite Series events will determine one of the most prestigious awards in bass fishing, the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, which will award a total prize purse worth $1 million in 2008, including the $250,000 grand prize.
Please see the complete list of qualifying anglers and their hometowns below. To download related photos and the Bassmaster Elite Series logo, click here.
Bassmaster Elite Series Sponsors: Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Purolator, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Advance Auto Parts, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide, Evan Williams Bourbon, Ramada Worldwide and Costa Del Mar.
About BASS
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events 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 and sanctions bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the 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.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com. Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.
2008 Bassmaster Elite Series Anglers
Randy Allen Shreveport, La.
Matt Amedeo Akron, Ohio
Rick Ash Pottstown, Pa.
Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C.
Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C.
Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala.
Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla.
Jon Bondy Windsor, Ontario
Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo.
Billy Brewer Lorena, Texas
Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark.
Terry Butcher Talala, Okla.
Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo.
Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan.
Brian Clark Haltom City, Texas
Preston Clark Palatka, Fla.
Rick Clunn Ava, Mo.
Jeff Connella Bentley, La.
Ken Cook Meers, Okla.
John Crews Salem, Va.
Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla.
Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark.
Glenn DeLong Bellville, Ohio
Kurt Dove Warrenton, Va.
Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala.
Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C.
Paul Elias Laurel, Miss.
Edwin Evers Talala, Okla.
Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas
Jami Fralick Martin, S.D.
Jay Fuller Kingston, Okla.
Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md.
Pat Golden High Point, N.C.
Shaw Grigsby Gainesville, Fla.
Wade Grooms Bonneau, S.C.
Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif.
Greg Hackney Gonzales, La.
Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla.
Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio
Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla.
Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa.
Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C.
Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Randy Howell Springville, Ala.
Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla.
Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J.
Alton Jones Waco, Texas
Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas
James Kennedy Lacombe, La.
Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala.
Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala.
Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas
Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla.
54. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla.
55. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla.
56. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala.
Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C.
Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif.
Bill Lowen Cincinnati, Ohio
Elton Luce Jr. Brookeland, Texas
Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala.
Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas
Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark.
Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky.
Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas
Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark.
Ish Monroe Hughson, Calif.
Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va.
Jim Murray Arabi, Ga.
John Murray Phoenix, Ariz.
Bobby Myers Tulsa, Okla.
Britt Myers Mount Holly, N.C
James Niggemeyer Lindale, Texas
Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas
Cliff Pace Petal, Miss.
Pete Ponds Madison, Miss.
Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C.
Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas
Clark Reehm Russellville, Ark.
Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif.
Derek Remitz Hemphill, Texas
Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla.
Marty Robinson Landrum, S.C.
Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz.
Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark.
Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif.
Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas
Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla.
Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla.
Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C.
David Sherrer Shreveport, La.
Morizo Shimizu Suita Osaka, Japan
Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark.
Dave Smith Del City, Okla.
Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo.
Matthew Sphar Pavilion, N.Y.
Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va.
Marty Stone Linden, N.C.
Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala.
Peter Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla.
Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo.
Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz.
Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich.
Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas
Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, Texas
Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C.
Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C.
Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky.
Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa.
Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark.
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