ESCANABA, Mich. - Virginia's Jacob Powroznik, 36, is the 2014 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year. Though a veteran of other professional bass circuits, Powroznik was new to the Bassmaster Elite Series and was in contention for bass fishing's most prestigious prize - Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year - until the final day of competition Monday in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
Powroznik posted top 32 finishes in every Elite event but one in 2014 and became just the sixth rookie to win an Elite tournament when he outpaced the field at Toledo Bend Reservoir in May. The win earned him a six-figure payday and his first Bassmaster Classic berth.
"That's the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing," he said. "I've worked for sponsors at the Classic Expo, but never qualified to fish it. Sitting in that arena and watching all those people lit a fire under me. I was like, 'Hey, I don't want to be in that crowd anymore. I want to be walking across that stage.'"
Powroznik defeated one of the toughest rookie fields in history to claim ROY, and he's well aware of the accomplishment and statement it makes about his talents.
"It means a lot. It's something I'll probably remember my whole life."
Powroznik was awarded the ROY trophy during the final weigh-in of the Angler of the Year Championship on Bays de Noc in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Although he caught more pounds of bass in the weather-shortened event than anyone else, Powroznik finished third in the AOY race behind Greg Hackney and Todd Faircloth.
His bonus for third place in the Toyota Bassmaster AOY standings was $38,500, which boosted his winnings on the Bassmaster Elite Series circuit to $204,000 for his rookie year. See complete standings below.
2014 Bassmaster Elite Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2014 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Booyah, Carhartt, Diet Mountain Dew, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Plano, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization's fully integrated media platforms include the industry's leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster High School Series presented by Carhartt, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
2014 Points Report
PROFESSIONAL ELITE SERIES
Angler Points Total Winnings
1. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 741 $101,250*
2. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 727 $55,000
3. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 723 $38,500*
4. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 721 $35,750*
5. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 716 $30,750*
6. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 705 $25,000
7. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 702 $24,000
8. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 696 $23,000
9. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 669 $22,000
10. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 644 $21,000
11. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 638 $20,000
12. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 637 $19,000
13. Randall Tharp Port Saint Joe, FL 627 $18,000
14. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 624 $17,000
15. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 622 $16,000
16. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 621 $15,000
17. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 618 $14,000
18. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, IL 615 $14,000
19. John Crews Salem, VA 613 $14,000
20. David Walker Sevierville, TN 613 $14,000
21. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 602 $14,000
22. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 599 $13,000
23. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 595 $13,000
24. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 594 $13,000
25. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 587 $13,000
26. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 586 $12,000
27. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 585 $12,000
28. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 585 $12,750*
29. Randy Howell Springville, AL 585 $12,000
30. Morizo Shimizu Osaka, JPN 585 $12,000
31. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 580 $12,000
32. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 576 $12,000
33. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 574 $12,000
34. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 567 $12,000
35. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 565 $12,000
36. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 563 $12,000
37. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 563 $12,000
38. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 562 $12,000
39. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 561 $12,000
40. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 560 $12,000
41. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 558 $12,000
42. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 557 $12,000
43. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 552 $13,250*
44. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 545 $12,000
45. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 544 $12,000
46. Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA 536 $13,000*
47. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 525 $12,000
48. Casey Scanlon Lanexa, KS 524 $12,000
49. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 519 $12,000
50. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 517 $12,000
*NOTE: Some winnings listed include bonuses for Carhartt Big Bass awards. See below.
Carhartt Big Bass - Brandon Lester $500 6-4 Day 1
Carhartt Big Bass - Mark Davis $500 6-4 Day 2
Carhartt Big Bass Bonus - Brandon Lester $250
Carhartt Big Bass Bonus - Mark Davis $250
Livingston Leader - Jacob Powroznik $500
Carhartt Big Bass of the Year 1 - Hank Cherry, Chickamauga Lake $2,000 10-11
Carhartt Big Bass of the Year 2 - Bernie Schultz, Lake Seminole $1,250 10-10
Carhartt Big Bass of the Year 2 - Greg Hackney, St. Johns River $1,250 10-10
Carhartt Big Bass of the Year 3 - Chris Zaldain, Toledo Bend $1,000 8-12
Carhartt Big Bass of the Year 4 - Aaron Martens, Table Rock Lake $750 8-0
Carhartt Big Bass of the Year 5 - Zell Rowland, Lake Dardanelle $500 6-10
