2012 Fed Championship banquet

Competitors and their family and friends attended the final event of the 2012 Cabela's Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship, the banquet. The Top 10 anglers were given awards, as were the JWC contenders.

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<p>Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation senior manager, addresses contenders, friends and family at the banquet, held at the conclusion of the 2012 Cabela's Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship in Decatur, Ala.</p>
Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation senior manager, addresses contenders, friends and family at the banquet, held at the conclusion of the 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship in Decatur, Ala.
<p>Dave Mercer, who served as emcee for the championship, warmed up the crowd at the banquet before handing out awards.</p>
Dave Mercer, who served as emcee for the championship, warmed up the crowd at the banquet before handing out awards.
<p>Jon Stewart stands with Emily Hand, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation coordinator, as the two prepare to hand out plaques, trophies and checks to contenders.</p>
Jon Stewart stands with Emily Hand, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation coordinator, as the two prepare to hand out plaques, trophies and checks to contenders.
<p>All the contenders in the 2012 Bassmaster Junior World Championship stand at the banquet while the families and adult contenders cheer for them.</p>
All the contenders in the 2012 Bassmaster Junior World Championship stand at the banquet while the families and adult contenders cheer for them.
<p>Jon Stewart shakes each JWC contender's hand and presents each one with a $100 Cabela's gift card.</p>
Jon Stewart shakes each JWC contender’s hand and presents each one with a $100 Cabela’s gift card.
<p>Alex Goff and Nik Autrey received $500 Cabela's gift cards, a Simms Pro Dry parka and bib, scholarship funds and the JWC trophies.</p>
Alex Goff and Nik Autrey received $500 Cabela’s gift cards, a Simms Pro Dry parka and bib, scholarship funds and the JWC trophies.
<p>Arnold Worthington accepts a certificate for the state of Indiana because it was the highest-finishing B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Alliance state. The Indiana B.A.S.S. Federation Nation won a Triton 21XS boat with a Mercury 250 Pro XS motor, Lowrance electronics and MotorGuide trolling motor. Michelle Kilburn of Mercury and Adam Adkisson of Triton present the award.</p>
Arnold Worthington accepts a certificate for the state of Indiana because it was the highest-finishing B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Alliance state. The Indiana B.A.S.S. Federation Nation won a Triton 21XS boat with a Mercury 250 Pro XS motor, Lowrance electronics and MotorGuide trolling motor. Michelle Kilburn of Mercury and Adam Adkisson of Triton present the award.
<p>Andy Bravence accepts his award for placing 10th in the tournament and earning a 2013 Bassmaster Classic qualification.</p>
Andy Bravence accepts his award for placing 10th in the tournament and earning a 2013 Bassmaster Classic qualification.
<p>Jonathan Carter accepts his award for finishing in ninth place and advancing to the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.</p>
Jonathan Carter accepts his award for finishing in ninth place and advancing to the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.
<p>Rick Svoboda accepts his award for finishing in eighth place in the tournament.</p>
Rick Svoboda accepts his award for finishing in eighth place in the tournament.
<p>Brady Farrell of Wisconsin finished in seventh place. He accepts his award from Jon Stewart and Dave Mercer.</p>
Brady Farrell of Wisconsin finished in seventh place. He accepts his award from Jon Stewart and Dave Mercer.
<p>Dale Hightower led the first day of the tournament and finished in sixth place.</p>
Dale Hightower led the first day of the tournament and finished in sixth place.
<p>George Crain accpets his award for finishing in fifth place.</p>
George Crain accpets his award for finishing in fifth place.
<p>Gerry Jooste of Zimbabwe accepts his prize for finishing in fourth place and qualifying for his fifth Bassmaster Classic.</p>
Gerry Jooste of Zimbabwe accepts his prize for finishing in fourth place and qualifying for his fifth Bassmaster Classic.
<p>Jared Knuth of Nebraska finished in third place and will represent his division in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.</p>
Jared Knuth of Nebraska finished in third place and will represent his division in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.
<p>Mark Pierce finished in second place and will be going to his first Bassmaster Classic.</p>
Mark Pierce finished in second place and will be going to his first Bassmaster Classic.
<p>Bill Golightly accepts his prize, a $200 Cabela's gift card, for catching the biggest bass on the first day of the tournament, a 5-9.</p>
Bill Golightly accepts his prize, a $200 Cabela’s gift card, for catching the biggest bass on the first day of the tournament, a 5-9.
<p>Teb Jones, president of the Mississippi B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, collected his prize for catching the Cabela's Big Bass on the second day, a 5-13 bass.</p>
Teb Jones, president of the Mississippi B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, collected his prize for catching the Cabela’s Big Bass on the second day, a 5-13 bass.
<p>Brent Boyette caught a 5-14 bass, the biggest of the tournament. He collected a $200 Cabela's gift card for having the biggest of the third day.</p>
Brent Boyette caught a 5-14 bass, the biggest of the tournament. He collected a $200 Cabela’s gift card for having the biggest of the third day.
<p>Jamie Horton, winner of the 2011 Cabela's Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship, told the fans how much the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation has helped him grow as a professional bass fisherman.</p>
Jamie Horton, winner of the 2011 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship, told the fans how much the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation has helped him grow as a professional bass fisherman.
<p>Mark Dove, winner of the 2012 Cabela's Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship, accepts congratulations from Horton, defending champ.</p>
Mark Dove, winner of the 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship, accepts congratulations from Horton, defending champ.
<p>Dove tells the crowd how proud he is to be able to take home this trophy, showing that he could be the top guy among his peers in the Federation Nation.</p>
Dove tells the crowd how proud he is to be able to take home this trophy, showing that he could be the top guy among his peers in the Federation Nation.
<p>Dave Mercer and Jon Stewart say their final words, while the crowd applaud Stewart's efforts in managing the tournament.</p>
Dave Mercer and Jon Stewart say their final words, while the crowd applaud Stewart’s efforts in managing the tournament.
<p>Mark Dove stands with two of his cohorts in the Northern division, Jamie Sochocki and Eddie Levin.</p>
Mark Dove stands with two of his cohorts in the Northern division, Jamie Sochocki and Eddie Levin.