2006 Minnesota State Casting Kids Championship
Maple Grove, Minnesota
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On Saturday, October 15th, the Minnesota BASS Federation held its 2006 State Bassmaster Casting Kids Championship. Kids from all over Minnesota came to the Gander Mountain store in Maple Grove, Minnesota with their flipping, pitching and casting skills to try to become one of our two State Bassmasters Casting Kids Champions.

The kids that competed all qualified through Bassmaster Casting Kids competitions held across the state during the 2005 qualification period in order to advance to state competition. Minnesota BASS Federation clubs conduct these competitions. There are two age groups: 7 to 10 and 11 to 14. The kids do three different types of casts. They flip from 10 feet, pitch from 20 feet, and cast from 30 feet. The target is a bullseye with scores of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50. The best score attainable is 150. The Minnesota Bass Federation Board of Directors conducted the event.

On Saturday they all came to show their casting skills. Each contestant had three practice rounds on the casting lanes prior to the state event. The State Competition started at 3:30. The crowd and parents were great with almost complete silence during the event. After all contestants had completed their casts and the scores were verified, Jay Green, the Minnesota Bass Federation President made the big announcement

The Minnesota State Casting Kids Champion's for 2006 are Aaron Kamrowski from the 7-10 age group with a score of 120, and Josh Erickson from the 11-14 age group with a score of 130. Aaron and Josh both received a Bassmaster Casting Kids Championship plaque, medallion, and Casting Kids rod and reel. They also received a $1000.00 scholarship award from the Minnesota BASS Federation for their future education.

This was Aaron’s first year in the Bassmaster Casting Kids program. This event marked Josh’s 4th time to compete in the Minnesota State Finals and the 3rd time as a Minnesota State Champion. Josh made it all the way to the Casting Kids National competition in 2002 and placed 3rd in his age group. Good luck to Aaron and Josh in Florida.

Aaron and Josh, along with their parents, now advance to Leesburg, Florida in January to compete in the Bassmaster Casting Kids Semi-Finals, which coincide with the Federation National Championship. They will each compete against 8 other kids in their own age bracket from the Northern Division states. If either Aaron or Josh are the top Casting Kid from their respective age group, they will then advance to the National Casting Kids Championship in Florida in February of 2006. This coincides with the Bassmaster Classic. They would compete against 4 other Casting Kids champions in their age group from the other 4 Divisions for the National Championship. They would compete for scholarships of up to $5000.00.

Skeeter/Yamaha, the Minnesota Federation official boat and motor sponsor has donated Skeeter/Yamaha shirts and hats for Aaron and Josh’s upcoming Casting Kids Semi-finals competition, and hopefully the National Casting Kids finals. Skeeter/Yamaha also provided tackle bags for Aaron and Josh’s.

Special thanks go to the Gander Mountain, Maple Grove store and staff for hosting this event. Gander Mountain also provided grab bags that day with fishing products for all the competitors. Gander Mountain has hosted numerous Casting Kids Championship’s and qualifying events over the years and has always asked what they can do, and have gone the extra mile for today's youth. On behalf of the Minnesota Bass Federation, I say, THANK YOU.

Special thanks to the Minnesota Bass Federation Board of Directors who conducted this State event.

Also special thanks to Jay Green. This was Jay’s last Casting Kids event as President. Over the past 6 years as president, Jay has always been out front making sure our youth have all the opportunities to experience the great youth programs such as Casting Kids and the Minnesota Junior Bass Federation. Jay’s leadership has enabled these programs to grow at a phenomenal rate across Minnesota and they will continue for many years to come because of him. Again Jay, thank you for all of your hard work from the Junior and Adult BASS Federation.

The smiles and reaction from all these kids make my position as Youth Director something I enjoy doing. Kids and parents, for more information on these events, check out our MN Bass Federation website at www.mnbf.org or the Bassmaster web site at www.bassmaster.com for this year’s upcoming Casting Kids events in Minnesota. Click on Youth in both web sites. I hope to see you at next year’s State Bassmasters Casting Kids State Finals.

Todd Saterbak
Minnesota Bass Federation Youth Director
www.mnbf.org