Bass Fishing: Fenwick’s Alex Davis grabs Day 1 lead in state finals
Updated: May 7, 2012 9:28AM
CARLYLE, Ill — Fenwick sophomore Alex Davis soloed to the first-day lead in a record-shattering opener of the fourth IHSA bass fishing state championship Friday on Carlyle Lake.
Weighing five largemouth at 16 pounds, 1 ounce, Davis topped Marist seniors Nick Engel and Nick Kushnerik by one pound for the lead. Meridian weighed in an ounce back of Marist at 15 pounds for third.
Davis, who started fishing as a ‘‘4- or 5-year-old,’’ caught his fish after the first rain delay.
As happened in the first three state championships, weather made an impact Friday. Moline was the first boat off at 6:57 a.m. But by 7:30 a.m., IHSA officials informed all boats to get off the lake and seek shelter as an outflow storm line crossed the lake. Teams restarted the fishing at 9:10 a.m. A second hour-long delay came at noon.
Davis said he caught about 10 keepers. ‘‘Caught them on McDonald’s french fries,’’ he said.
Davis’ haul was a Day-1 record, missing the single-day record by two ounces. In 2010, Illini West weighed in 16-3 on Day 2 to win. Otherwise, the entire list of records was rewritten for the tournament.
A record 47 of 56 teams weighed limits. Each team could weigh its heaviest five black bass, 12 inches or longer. Other records that were smashed were total fish weighed (254), total weight (542 pounds, 12 ounces) and big fish (a 6-14 largemouth caught by DeKalb’s Anthony Kriese).
Then there was Hinsdale Central senior Nicole Mara, whose 5-9 largemouth was the largest weighed in by a female at state. She caught all five keepers for the Red Devils, who are in striking distance at 10th (13-6).
Marist was closest to the leaders.
‘‘Our three big ones all came at the end of the day,’’ Engel said.
‘‘And a 10-pound catfish,’’ Kushnerik added.
Naperville North is currently fifth (14-7) and Zion-Benton ninth (13-8).
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