N.E.W.C. Team of the Year: Greczyn's take top honors

[WILLOW CREEKER]

The N.E.W.C. 2009 season came to a close last weekend, but the seasons highlight's are sure to last forever for one particular team.

Six years ago on a cold and windy rainy day in April, standing in a parking lot waiting to sign up for my first out of town tournament at Mosquito Lake in Ohio, I met a husband and his wife who were also looking to sign up for the event. I remember them telling me they had been fishing tournaments together for a couple years. Over the last few years I have been fortunate to not only compete against them, but we have become the best of friends, sharing many great times together both fishing as well as just visiting.

On Sunday, September 13th, 2009 I had the most distinct pleasure of announcing that this years N.E.W.C. 2009 Team of the Year was Bill & Linda Greczyn from Tully, New York.

During this past season, Bill & Linda were determined from the very beginning that this was going to be there year, taking an extra day to pre fish each event, studying maps over the winter, and increasing their knowledge in any way possible of techniques they may want to try at the different bodies of water they were going to be competing at this year.

The first event was held at Mosquito lake in Ohio (how fitting). Bill and Linda had a solid plan of attack, and with a very good pre fishing, they were extremely confident going into the first tourney of the year. As fishing goes, the fish forgot to read the play book, and left the building, and the tourney results weren't good for them.

The second event of the year was being held on their home lake, and while Linda was hard at work, Bill put every ounce of energy he had into pre fishing, in hopes of turning their season around. As it should be, hard work payed off nicely for them with the couple taking 3rd place along with big fish honors.

With their confidence high, they were off to Lake Erie for the third event of the season. After a average pre fish, Bill & Linda really put it together to dial in a program during the event, and they captured the win, along with another big fish honors. Now for most anglers we would be happy at winning the event, but for them, it was much much more. I was proud to be able to award Bill & Linda their very first winners plaques, a journey that took them over eight years, 3 boats, and thousands and thousands of miles driving and competing all around the country to accomplish this. A very proud moment for every one at the event, as Bill & Linda are very respected by all their peers.

With their first victory as well as a third place and two big fish awards, Bill & Linda had a small lead for Team of the Year over Terry Zampogna and Tim Moonan going into the last event, the Championships, held at Chautauqua Lake. Bill and Linda new they had to fish hard even with their lead, and finish in the top of the field to complete their ultimate goal.

Terry and Tim definitely were not going to go away easy as they to were after the ultimate goal, and at the end of the Championships Terry and Tim did just what they needed to do, they won the event.

With Bill and Linda in control off their own destiny, they proved they were up to the challenge with another Third place finish.

After adding up all the points for the season, it was my pleasure to announce Bill & Linda Greczyn the N.E.W.C. 2009 Team of the Year.

Along with this award they also were awarded the 2009 Husband and Wife Team of the Year, an award they have won four strait years.

The N.E.W.C. is proud to have such a great pair of anglers representing us as they prepare this off season to defend their title.

Congratulations Bill & Linda Greczyn.

Tom Means
Tournament Director