2010 MWC's Overall Team of the Year-left to right: Ryan Buddie and Mike Knippenberg
The overall Team of the Year for the entire MWC’s three divisions, which can only be won by fishing one three event division along with a challenge event from another division, is the Ohio team of Mike Knippenberg of Hiram, OH and Ryan Buddie of Lakewood, OH. Mike and Ryan fished the Eastern Division and also competed in the Central Division’s event at Escanaba last weekend.
When asked how it felt to win the title Mike said, “I'm excited! Really excited! It has not sunk in yet and I don't know if it will! I'm on cloud nine! It was a dream season for sure. It was a great season fishing the MWC with Ryan. I had a lot of fun! I learned a lot this year fishing the different bodies of water. The level of competition in the MWC is amazing! It is a great circuit and I can't wait until next year to do it again.
I’d just like to thank my “team” for their hard work and the fun we had. Thanks to Ranger Boats and Lowrance for the dependable equipment that they produce, and a BIG thanks to my great Sponsors, Vics Sport Center, Erie outfitters, Wolverine Tackle, Silverstreak, ReefRunner Lures, The Boat Dock, and Cisco Fishing Systems.
Ryan was also very excited about this win, and had this to add, “Going into my first season fishing in a professional level circuit, I really didn't know what to expect. To compete against some of the best walleye sticks in the world and come out on top is beyond my wildest dreams.
Although I've only technically been 'tournament fishing' for a few years, I came to realize this year that I have been tournament 'style' fishing for all 27 years of my life. The 14 hour days on the water, late nights prepping gear, constant networking, eating out of a gas stations, energy drinks, focus, and straight up hard work is nothing new to us. I think that is the reason we are sitting in the position we are in right now. I am a believer that luck is when preparation meets opportunity, and we got lucky.
I am so thankful for all that have helped me in my fishing career including my family, friends, and teammates, who in my eyes are the hardest working and most honest guys in the circuit.
To add some gravy to this whole situation, here's a little story for you. I was planning on fishing the championship of the LEWT the weekend the MWC went to Escanaba, but after finishing so well in Saginaw, and having a chance to win the TOY title, Mike and I knew we had to go to Escanaba. My partner for the LEWT, Jason Kopf, was one spot from making the cut for the MWC championship next year. If we won the MWC TOY, they'll pull us from the east for the championship, and then he would move up a spot and that would get him in. We did that to get Jason in next year, and he got a sub for me in the LEWT, won the tournament, and won us the LEWT team of the year title. Long story short, I ended up winning 2 Team of the Year titles in one weekend, and we got Jason into the MWC championship next year! Life is good!”
The MWC’s Championship field from 2009 will be fishing the Mississippi River (Pools 9 and 10) out of Prairie Du Chein, WI October 13-16th, 2010. For more information on this event or any MWC events to come, please visit the Masters Walleye Circuit’s site at www.masterswalleyecircuit.com.
As for Walleye Central, please join us next week as we travel northeast to Leech Lake in Walker, MN for the FLW Walleye Tour Championship September 22-25th, 2010. Due to the weigh in location and non-access to an internet line there, we will not be streaming the championship live during the weigh in. We will however, bring you continued coverage with articles and photos and up to the minute results beginning Wednesday, September 22, 2010.
Hope to see you all there!
No comments:
Post a Comment