HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Paul Redwine of Crab Orchard, Tenn., and Randy Kelly of Inola, Okla., were crowned CITGO National Points Champions Friday at the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League All-American in Hot Springs. Redwine received a $10,000 bonus for his title in the Boater Division, and Kelly received a $5,000 bonus for his title in the Co-Angler Division.
Throughout the qualifying season for the 2001 All-American, the CITGO National Points Championship was a challenge faced by thousands of Wal-Mart BFL competitors in 22 divisions nationwide. The CITGO title is presented annually to the highest finishing divisional points leader in the BFL’s boater and co-angler divisions.
Redwine topped the Choo Choo Division of the Wal-Mart BFL with 250 points after finishing 10th or better in three of five qualifying events. His closest competitor, Kevin Powers of Unicoi, Tenn., finished the season with 240 points. Redwine also led the Choo Choo Division in 1999 and 1997. This was the first season, however, that he advanced to the All-American.
Today Redwine is competing as one of five finalists in the All-American for a top award of $100,000. Three other divisional points leaders qualified for the All-American in the Boater Division but failed to make the final round cut Friday.
Kelly, who ranked No. 1 in the Okie Division, proved to be the best co-angler in the nation Friday by winning the first co-angler championship in All-American history. He reeled in the title and $50,000 with a two-day total of eight bass weighing 20 pounds, 4 ounces.
During his All-American qualifying run, Kelly amassed 222 points while his closest competitor, C. E. Carlile of Broken Arrow, Okla., piled up 218 points. Kelly had two top-10 finishes, including an eighth place finish at the Lake Ouachita Regional that advanced him to the All-American. Three other divisional points leaders also qualified for the All-American in the Co-Angler Division.
To qualify for the All-American each angler had to finish 30th or better in his division after four one-day qualifying tournaments and a two-day super tournament in 2000. Each angler then finished eighth or better at one of five three-day regional championships. A sixth (Western) regional advanced four anglers to the All-American, and six anglers who failed to qualify for a regional championship advanced through the Chevy Trucks Wild Card Regional. This process produced 50 boaters and 50 co-anglers as All-American contenders.