by Alesia Williams

FRANKLIN
The results are in for the 3rd Annual Area 29 Special Olympics Benefit Bass Tournament that was held on Saturday at the Franklin Boat landing. Three Rivers Bass Club sponsored the event to raise money to assist Area 29 Special Olympic athletes with their expenses during Special Olympic functions.

The TRBT Series was able to raise $1,207 for the Area 29 Athletes.

Jonathan Yost and Jason Tripp, the sponsored team for Repair Tech, took first place with five bass weighing 12.97 pounds. Keith Vick and his son, K.J. Vick, came in second place with five bass weighing 12.34 pounds; and the team of Rick Caldwell and Frank Fullington placed third with five bass weighing 12.27 pounds. The Big Bass of the day of 5.57 pounds was landed by Keith Vick.

Other sponsored teams had the following results: Repair Tech (two boats) 24.07 pounds; Enviva of Southampton (three boats) 20.83 pounds; Dail’s Home Center (one boat) 9.07 pounds; Jemar LLC (one boat) 5.38 pounds; and Thelma Vann (one boat) 1.85 pounds.

After the weigh-in of fish was completed, the band Louis Waymore performed at Barrett’s Landing. The benefit organizers want to thank all the boat sponsors, fishermen and other donors like Carol Jarvis, Mr. and Mrs. David Council, Stuart Blythe and others who participated in the raffle drawings.

In addition, a special thank-you goes out to Captain Catfish Sauces, Doug and Alesia Williams, Harvey Umphlett, Eric Strickland & the B Sides and Louis Waymore for the many gift donation prizes for the boaters and band event prize drawings.

Helping make this event such a huge success were the hard-working volunteers, Area 29 families, Three Rivers Bass Club’s family members, the Downtown Franklin Association and the Franklin Department of Parks & Recreation.

More photos and tournament results can be found on the Three Rivers Bass Tournament Series Facebook page.