ESPN Youth

RICHLAND, Wash. --- High winds forced cancellation of Day Two of the Western Divisional here on the Columbia and its Snake and Yakima tributaries. Sustained winds topped 30 miles per hour out of the west, with gusts to 40 and higher.

"We were disappointed about the cancellation, but it was understandable," said Mark Byrne, president of the Washington BASS Federation Nation, host for this event.

Fortunately, the CastingKids competition was staged indoors at Carmichael Middle School, where wind wasn't a factor.

In the 11-14 age group, 13-year-old Kiana Clark of Richland earned her fourth trip to the CastingKids Championship this fall, with 140 points out of a possible 150 in flipping, pitching, and casting. She twice was national champion in the 7-10 group and, as an 11-year-old, also qualified for the championship.

Nine-year-old Payne Abera of Reno, Nev., meanwhile, won in the 7-10 group in his first year of competition. Payne totaled 130 points.

With winds expected to calm considerably during the night, Washington will start the tournament's final day with a substantial lead of 42 pounds, 15 ounces in the team competition. The host team totaled 136-11 on Day One, while second-place Oregon managed 93-12. New Mexico is in third, with Montana fourth, Wyoming fifth, and Colorado sixth. The final five include Nevada, Utah, Idaho, California, and Arizona.

The team with the heaviest aggregate weight will claim the title of best in the West and win a Skeeter bass boat/Yamaha outboard rig valued at $30,000.

While Washington dominated among the teams on Day One, Chuck Rizuto of New Mexico brought in 18 pounds, 3 ounces for the heaviest limit. Colorado's Matt Massey was second with 16-10. The top individual for each team will qualify for the National Championship and an opportunity to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.

Click here to JOIN BASS!