STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Four Arkansas anglers, including Hot Springs' own Stephen Browning, have been named as part of the 2023 Pan American Bass Fishing Championship on Lake Hamilton Sept. 6-9.
Russellville's Fred Roumbanis, Clinton's Joey Cifuentes and Quitman's Larry Nixon join Scott Martin, Roland Martin, John Cox, David Dudley, Tyler Rivet, Michelle Jalaba, Hannah Wesley, Keith Carson, Brock Mosley, Brian Latimer and college anglers Hilary Martin and Cameron Lake for next month's tournament that will bring 11 international teams to the Spa City.
The USA, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, El Salvador, Venezuela, Honduras, Guatemala, South Africa and the Philippines will have up to eight pairings each for the event, which is officially sanctioned by the Pan American Sportfishing Federation. South Africa and the Philippines will not be eligible for medals due to not being from the Americas.
The USA Bass Team won a gold medal at the 2022 Bass Fishing World Championship, and coach Charlie Evans is excited by the team's next challenge.
"The Pan American championship was designed to get more countries in the Americas involved in international fishing," he said. "The goal is to get fishing recognized by the International Olympic Committee."
A special Bridge Street LIVE will be held on Sept. 6, featuring fishing legend Jimmy Houston, Skye and Marshall from "PAW Patrol," a chance to meet the team, and listen to fan favorite Manhattan.
Teams will spend Sept. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. practicing before the competition starts at 8 a.m. on Sept. 8. Weigh-in each day will be from 4-5 p.m. at Andrew H. Hulsey State Fish Hatchery.
In addition to the tournament, USA Bass will be hosting a Youth Angler Education Event on Sept. 9 at Entergy Park from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The youth event will be open to the public.