2000 MWC Pepin Press Release

Ranger Boats Tourney won by Meyer and York,

Championship Field and Team Of The Year Determined

LAKE CITY, MN. — The fifth and final Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) event of the 2000 season, the Ranger Boats MWC team tournament, was won by Rodney York from Centerville, MN and Michael Meyer Jr. from Lindstrom, MN on Lake Pepin (Mississippi River Pool 4) in Lake City, MN on September 23- 24.

York and Meyers were not very consistent in their two days of fishing, but they made it count when they had to. After the first day of fishing York and Meyers had a total of 1 fish equaling 1.78 pounds. This put them near the bottom of the 196-team field. All they needed to do to win the tournament was to bring in 29.48 pounds on the second day. They brought in 32.50 pounds. That exceptional day of fishing got the winning duo a first place check for $12,750, also the comeback team award, the second day big basket award, the big fish award and a Motorguide trolling motor.

“This really was a team effort, the first day without any sun we spent most of our time running around the lake, the second day with the sun we found our spot and it was successful, ” said Meyer.

Brothers Mark Keenen of Appleton, WI and Tom Keenen of Hatley, WI were crowned the 2000 MWC team of the year havin competed against over 1,000 teams in the five MWC events, placing 12th, 39th, 11th, 8th and 18th. The Keenen’s were the 1998 MWC team of the year and have now fished in over 70 MWC events having one win and five second place finishes, they also finished in third place at the 2000 MWC World Walleye Championship. The team of the year receives $6,000.

In other end of the year awards, Jim Minnema of Randolph, WI and Tim Minnema of Markesan, WI were named Father & Son team of the year, Glenn and Carol Chenier of Gladstone, MI were named husband and wife team of the year. Both teams received $1,000. And Dick and Keri Solis of Pardeeville, WI were named the 2000 recipients of the Kaz, cup named after the founder of the MWC.

Coming in second place at Lake City and collecting $7,000 was James Holst, of Rochester, MN and Steve Hougom of LaCrosse, WI. Holst and Hougom came in with 20.26 pounds on the first day and 11.02 on the second for a total of 31.28 pounds.

Third place went to Craig and Eric Anderson of Mound, MN. The Anderson’s collected $5,000 for the showing coming in with 27.30 pounds.

The overall big fish award that went to the eventual tournament champions, York and Meyer, weighed in at 8.26 pounds.

For additional information regarding the MWC tournaments in 2001, call MWC Event Manager Maura Ries at 952-833-1522.

The Wildlife Forever-Masters Walleye Circuit is a nonprofit organization that conducts a series of professionally operated fishing tournaments, emphasizing family participation and conservation of fishery resources. To date the MWC Conservation Fund, unique in professional fishing, has contributed $213,000 to fisheries programs in states where MWC tournaments are held.

The 2000 Wildlife Forever-MWC title sponsors are: Abu Garcia, Berkley Trilene, Lindy Little Joe, Mercury, MotorGuide, North American Fishing Club/North American Fisherman, and Ranger Boats. Supporting sponsors are Big Jon, Inc., Panther Marine Products and Walleye Central-the official web site of the Masters Walleye Circuit (www.walleyecentral.com).