Kevin VanDam

IKE GOES BIG ON DAY TWO AT ONEIDA

August 09, 2008
(basszone.com, August 9, 2008)

Syracuse, NY – The rain and storms that greeted the Elite Series pros fishing day two of the Champions Choice did not dampen the spirits of those chasing their dream. At the end of the day, the AOY title, the majority of the Classic field, and 80% of next year’s Elites would be determined. For those anglers with their fate uncertain, Friday’s action was critical.

With take-off and weigh-in times in reverse order, the real drama wouldn’t take place until the very last, but with so much riding on Friday’s weights the excitement started early.

Rick Clunn virtually secured his spot in next year’s Classic marking the 32nd time the machine from Ava, Missouri will compete in the super bowl of bass fishing. His two day total of 29-13 put him in 6th heading towards the weekend.

Mike McClelland made a huge move vaulting from 69th to 13th with the day’s second biggest bag of 17-14. As impressive as McClelland’s catch was, it paled in comparison to Mike Iaconelli’s limit on Friday. 20 pounds and one ounce is what the scale showed after Ike’s five fish had been weighed and with that, the New Jersey pro sat in first place. Iaconelli jumped from 40th to first and will take a slim lead into Saturday’s round.

Not to be outdone, Dean Rojas backed up his 15-14, day one weight with 16-9 on day two. A combined weight of 32-7 will send the frog specialist into the finals just five ounces off the lead.

After all the other competitors had crossed the stage, VanDam and Faircloth squared off for their AOY showdown. Starting the tournament with a 21 point lead, Faircloth watched his advantage over Kevin dwindle to 15 points on Thursday. KVD weighed in 13 pounds, one ounce on Friday to take the 47th position. Todd Faircloth needed just over 13 pounds to keep the race alive, but struggled to catch a limit on Friday and his last day total of 6-6 pushed him all the way down to 93rd washing away his hopes of the Angler of the Year title. Kevin VanDam won his fourth AOY trophy.

http://www.basszone.com/2008eliteseries/oneida/day2/story.htm

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