MANY, La. – Glen Freeman of Converse, La., outpaced 160 competitors Saturday with five bass weighing 21 pounds, 3 ounces to win $5,128 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Cowboy Division tournament on Toledo Bend.
Freeman edged out Harold Allen of Shelbyville, Texas, by 2 pounds, 13 ounces in the one-day event that set out from Cypress Bend Park. Allen finished with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 6 ounces to win $2,564.
Bob Laroux of Zwoole, La., took third place and collected $1,282 with five bass weighing 17 pounds, 10 ounces. Danny Overstreet of Carthage, Texas, placed fourth and earned $1,111 with five bass weighing 16 pounds, 13 ounces, while Harold Moore of College Station, Texas, placed fifth and earned $1,026 with five bass weighing 16 pounds, 1 ounce.
Kraig Chapman of Bossier City, La., won the boater Big Bass Award and collected $800 with a 7-pound, 9-ounce bass.
First place in the Co-Angler Division and $2,564 went to Bobby Barreraz of Center, Texas, who topped 160 competitors with five bass weighing 15 pounds, 6 ounces. Second place in the division and $1,282 went to Bill Rogers of Jasper, Texas, with five bass weighing 14 pounds, 13 ounces, while Mike Power of Cibolo, Texas, took third place and $641 with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 15 ounces.
Robert Pirtle of Tyler, Texas, won the co-angler Big Bass Award of $400 with a 5-pound, 15-ounce bass.
Boater Bob Bryant of Nacogdoches, Texas, won $500 as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program. He finished in 16th place with five bass weighing 11 pounds, 5 ounces.
Overall, 543 bass were caught during the tournament, including 31 five-bass limits.
The Wal-Mart BFL will visit Sam Rayburn Reservoir Sept. 29-30 for a two-day Super Tournament that will determine the Divisional Points Champion who will be awarded $1,000. The co-angler amassing the most points by conclusion of the season ending tournament will receive $500.
The top 30 boaters and top 30 co-anglers in the Cowboy Division will advance to regional competition Oct. 16-20 on the Red River near Shreveport, La., where they will go up against top competitors from the Okie, Arkie and Mississippi divisions for a shot at qualifying for the $250,000 All-American.
Awards for the 2001 BFL season could reach $5.7 million based on full fields at each tournament.