NATCHITOCHES – Burt and Shelley Poche presented proceeds from the fifth annual Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Bass Tournament to the Northwestern State University Foundation. Of the funds raised at the event, $20,000 will fund student scholarships for team members and $5,000 will help underwrite team expenses. This year’s tournament was the most successful today, registering 249 two-man boats for the Toledo Bend tournament held March 27.
This year, the Poche family and the NSU Fishing Team have been able to offer more scholarships to incoming students from all over Louisiana and Texas who sign with the team.
“This year was the biggest turn-out we’ve ever had, and we look forward to the years to come,” Shelley Poche said. “We are thankful for our sponsors, vendors and volunteers who made the tournament successful.” The tournament paid back to fishermen $33,950 and 12 prizes.
Winners were first place Trey Morgan/John W. Canerday, 27.11 lbs.; second place Jim Franklin/Matt Morgan, 26.53 lbs.; third place Dylan Slaughter/James Williamson, 25.19 lbs.; Big Bass – Herby Dauphinet/David Thompson, 10.79 lbs.;
The Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Fishing Scholarship was established by Burt and Shelley Poche and Misty Ott in memory of their son, a 2015 graduate of Natchitoches Central High School and an avid outdoorsman. Dylan Poche excelled at tournament fishing and was a member of the NCHS Fishing Team and the NSU Fishing Team as a freshman. He passed away in January 2016.
The NSU Fishing Team is open to all students and taps into the growing popularity of organized competitive bass fishing. The team competes in FLW, B.A.S.S. and Collegiate Bass circuits. NSU Fishing Team Sponsor Juddy Hamous said he encourages incoming members to apply for the scholarship and the award has been a great help to incoming students. Hamous is available to meet with prospective students during campus visits to talk more about the team, which has grown significantly, along with national interest in fishing as a collegiate sport.
For more information on the NSU Fishing Team, contact Hamous at juddyh@nsula.edu or call (318) 332-0565 or visit the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NSULABassFishing/.
