Evers, Fresh Off Nail-Biting Finish, More Nervous for Acceptance Speech
LA CROSSE, Wis. – With the way that this entire season has played out on the Bass Pro Tour for Edwin Evers, it’s not really all that surprising to see his name in a Championship Round of REDCREST Presented by Venmo. It wasn’t easy by any means for the Oklahoma pro as he was able to edge out Stephen Browning for the final spot in the Top 5 by just 1 pound, 10 ounces.
But even with all the stress and anxiety that comes with SCORETRACKER® and an MLF event, the first-ever Points Champion is more nervous for what comes his way when he gets off the water tonight. Friday evening Evers will be presented an award for his Points Championship in front of his fellow anglers and his family. The man with ice in his veins on the water says he will probably start to sweat from the heat of the spotlight come dinner time.
“There is a lot going on in my mind today,” Evers said as he got in his truck ready to race to his hotel for a quick shower and change of clothes. “I would like to celebrate the Points Championship and not have to worry about making the REDCREST Championship honestly. I’ve never been more nervous about anything than giving this speech tonight in front of all the guys I’ve competed against all year.”
Battle With Browning
Deep breaths, Edwin deep breaths. Back to the fishing. Edwin’s spot in the Championship Round was in doubt, but never in question at the same time if that makes any sort of sense. After ending Period 2 in sixth place and 1-12 behind Mike Iaconelli, it felt like it was inevitable that the man who has been the model of consistency all season long would be able to pull another one out of his hat. That’s exactly what happened in Period 3.
“I kind of felt like I was going to make a move above the Elimination Line, but I really feel that way a lot of times,” Evers said through a big smile. “The final 30 minutes my heart was just pounding and I felt like I was in a dadgum cage fight just to stay alive. I was able to catch some fish in a hurry and move up SCORETRACKER®, which ended up being what I really needed to do.”
The Bass Pro Shops pro was able to reel in 12 bass for 16-15 over the final two-and-a-half hours to move up ahead of the faltering Stephen Browning. Evers was given a penalty for a fish-landing violation with only three minutes remaining in the round and with Browning trying to close on him. Browning was able to land a 2-10 largemouth that got him to within one scoreable bass of jumping ahead of Evers.
Right out of the penalty box, Evers hooked a 1-1 largemouth that sealed his fate and sent Browning home empty-handed.
“I felt really bad for Stephen because I’ve been in his shoes before,” Evers said with empathy. “We’re all good buddies on this tour so you hate to do that to your friends. I sure was excited, though.”
Evers now moves on to his fifth Championship Round of the season and with a chance to add another 2019 Bass Pro Tour trophy to his trophy case come Sunday.