Cookeville trio wins 17th annual event held to raise scholarship funds

CELINA-It took over 17 pounds to win the 17th Annual Kevin Watson-Johnny Rich Memorial Bass Tournament title back in mid-June.

Blake Sliger, Ben Loftis, and Daniel Klein of Cookeville used a solid sack of largemouth tipping the scales at 17.64 pounds to come out on top at the June 15 event staged here at Cedar Hill Marina to benefit scholarships given to local students in the men’s honor.

Fishing the night before Father’s Day for the second year in a row, the three-man team beat their closest competitors by over two pounds, as local father and son Ernest and Colby Garrison, who were joined by Briley Rich in the boat, finished second with 15.03 pounds.

Third place was also claimed by a father-and-son team with another partner.  Steven and Keaton Arms and Anthony Murdock took third with 14.90 pounds.

Jerry Arms and Doc Short won the big largemouth award with a 4.43-pound lunker, while father, son, and grandson team Steve, Stacy, and Drew Smith claimed the big smallmouth award with one under 16 inches long weighing 1.70 pounds.

A total of nine other boats had over 10 pounds, and nearly half the field carried fish to the scales in the event.

A good crowd of other supporters joined the participants over an hour before blast-off to partake in a fish-fry meal prepared by volunteers, while enjoying camaraderie among themselves and remembrances of the honorees.

“The guys we honor with this were friends to everybody, and it’s great to see all these people out here every year supporting the cause to honor Kevin and Johnny through these scholarships,” organizers said.  “A turnout like this each and every year is a testament to the character those guys always displayed.”

Organizers expressed their gratitude to all involved, including those who provided the trophies, the food preparers, donors, and others.

“It always takes a great team-effort to accomplish this,” they said, “and we are already looking forward to next year.”