NORMAL, IL – Pro bass fisherman Chad Morgenthaler hosted the 3rd Annual Chad Morgenthaler Bass Tournament to benefit Special Olympics Illinois Sept. 20-21 at Sailboat Harbor at Rend Lake in southern Illinois. He was joined by Ranger Pro Guido Hibdon. 

The weekend included the two-day buddy team format tournament, a Beat the Pro fishing contest and a chance to win great prizes. A pre-tournament meeting on Friday night at Rend Lake Resort featured dinner, a silent auction and hundreds of raffle prizes. The entire weekend’s activities raised nearly $21,500 for Special Olympics Illinois.

Fifty-four teams competed for most weight over two days and for big bass for each day. Thirty teams took part in a Beat the Pro contest against Morgenthaler and Hibdon held on the first day of the tournament. Twelve teams had more weight in fish than the pros and won prize bags filled with tackle and other fishing goodies.

Eight teams finished in the money for the tournament:
 1st place - Mark O’Brien and Bill Draper - 10 fish, 24 lbs. 6 oz. 
 2nd place - Russell Harris and Jason Craine - 10 fish, 23 lbs. 1 oz. 
 3rd place - Scott Kirk and Jason Thomas - 10 fish, 22 lbs, 7 oz. 
 4th place - Eugene Martin and Richard Goss - 10 fish, 22 lbs. 5 oz. 
 5th place - Dan McDowell and Eric Ballinger - 10 fish, 22 lbs. 4 oz. 
 6th place - Brett Boldrey and Kenneth Pitchford - 9 fish, 22 lbs. 1 oz. 
 7th place - Neil McCord and Steve Sizemore - 10 fish, 22 lbs. 0 oz. 
 8th place - Matt Swalls and Ron Robinson - 8 fish, 21 lbs. 8 oz.

Matt Swalls and Ron Robinson had Day 1’s Big Bass with a weight of 4 lbs. 5 oz. and Greg Herrin and Gene Gilliam had Day 1’s 2nd Big Bass with a weight of 3 lbs. 15 oz.

Dan McDowell and Eric Ballinger had Day 2’s Big Bass with a weight of 4 lbs. 11 oz. and Matthew Orr and James Hewlett had Day 2’s 2nd Big Bass with a weight of 3 lbs. 10 oz.

Jasper Engines & Transmissions was presenting sponsor of the Chad Morgenthaler Bass Tournament.