DATE: Sunday, October 5, 1997               TAG: 9710040433

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C15  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON, OUTDOORS EDITOR 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   32 lines

STATE CLASSIC WILL DRAW 160 TOP VA. ANGLERS

Some 160 of the state's top bass anglers will converge on Munden Point City Park Oct. 25-26 for the 1997 State Classic, staged by the Virginia B.A.S.S, Federation.

This is one of the year's top events for grassroots members of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, the country's largest fishing organization.

Competition will feature the 20 top-rated anglers from each of the state's eight regions. Anglers earned the right to compete through a series of club and regional contests.

The two top finishers will earn the right to represent Virginia in B.A.S.S.'s Eastern Divisional Championship next September in New Hampshire.

First place in the Munden Point contest is expected to pay $2,000, according to Roger Fitchett of Virginia Beach, president of the Virginia Federation. Second could be worth between $800 and $1,000, Fitchett said.

Contest weighins will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

In addition, a Bassmaster Casting Kids contest to determine the top young casters will be held in conjunction with the event. It'll feature classes for ages 7-10 and 11-14.

This leads to the state Casting Kids contest at Bassarama in Richmond next year and finally to the nationals, offering $225,000 in scholarships and prizes.

You can get additional details on both the State Classic and casting event from Fitchett at 428-4280.

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