Kirkland & Higgins Win National Guard FLW Soldier Appreciation Tournament on Lake Somerville

COLLEGE STATION, Texas Oct. 15, 2011 – Pvt. Ryan Kirkland of Trinity, Texas, and Pvt. Chris Higgins of Crocket, Texas, won the National Guard FLW Soldier Appreciation Tournament held on Lake Somerville Saturday. The team, fishing with National Guard College angler Jerod Hawkes from Texas A&M, Kingsville caught two bass for a total of 9 pounds, 8 ounces to take the title and bragging rights amongst their peers.

“It was a fun day in the sun,” said Pvt. Chris Higgins. “I do fish but this was my first tournament and my first time on Lake Somerville. We had a great day with Jerod, I learned how to flick!”

“My dad is a fishing guide so I have spent a lot of time fishing,” said Pvt. Ryan Kirkland. “This was my first time on Lake Somerville and we had a great day.”

Each of the participants in the National Guard FLW Soldier Appreciation Tournament are members of the Texas National Guard. In this tournament, National Guard FLW College anglers took teams consisting of members of the National Guard fishing to compete amongst their peers. Each team was allowed to bring in three bass. FLW Outdoors is operating the tournaments in conjunction with the National Guard to show appreciation to our service members of the National Guard.

“They are excellent net men,” said National Guard FLW College angler Jerod Hawkes. “Trust me, I have lost a lot of big fish at the net, it is not an easy thing to do. It was pretty exciting bringing in that 7-pounder. We were mostly fishing with crankbaits on rock banks. We got the big one using a Sebile Crankster. It was a great day.”

• 2^nd:    Master Sgt. Robert Haigis, fishing with National Guard FLW College angler Todd Fontenot, University of Texas, Arlington, two bass, 2-14
• 3^rd:     Pvt. Aaron Arevalo, Houston, Texas, and Sgt. James Plant, Houston, Texas, fishing with National Guard FLW College angler Cody Burell, Texas A&M, Kingsville, one bass, 2-2
• 4^th:     Pvt. Carter Parks, Braun, Texas, and Pfc. Benito Ortiz, San Antonio, Texas, fishing with National Guard FLW College angler Doug Greenman, Louisiana State University, one bass, 1-15
• 5^th:     Pfc. Corey Shultz, College Station, Texas, and Stephen Boley, Huntsville, Texas, fishing with National Guard FLW College angler, Mason McCain, Louisiana State University, one bass, 1-1
• 6^th:     Pfc. Trey Rocha, Huntsville, Texas, and Pvt. Jacob Teverbaugh, Brenham, Texas, fishing with National Guard FLW College angler Travis Laurent, Louisiana State University, 0 bass, 0-0
• 6^th:     Pvt. Zachary Barghs, Houston, Texas, and Spc. William Thompson, Austin, Texas, fishing with National Guard FLW College angler Seth Brittain, Sam Houston State, 0 bass, 0-0
• 6^th:     Pvt. Madison Martinez, Lockhart, Texas, and Pfc. Marvin Jackson, Richardson, Texas, fishing with National Guard FLW College angler, Tanner Walker, Sam Houston State, 0 bass, 0-0
• 6^th:    Pvt. Robert Wahlman, League City, Texas, and Pvt. Juan Herrera, Huntsville, Texas, fishing with National Guard FLW College angler Douglas McClung, Louisiana State University, 0 bass, 0-0

The Soldier Appreciation Tournament was held in conjunction with the National Guard FLW College Fishing Texas Regional Championship on Lake Somerville presented by Mercury and hosted by Texas A&M.