OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Canadian Cooper Gallant's impressive run in his first-ever Elite Series event ended Saturday.
The 25-year-old native of Bowmanville, Ont., missed qualifying for the final round of the season-opening tournament on Florida's Lake Okeechobee. Gallant's five-fish limit Saturday weighed 10 pounds, 15 ounces _ his lowest total of the event _ giving him a 15-fish weight of 51 pounds, 12 ounces to drop to 16th in the overall standings.
The top-10 competitors following Saturday's round advanced to Sunday's final.
Gallant came into Saturday's action in ninth spot overall through the opening two rounds with a 10-fish weight of 40 pounds, 13 ounces. The top-50 finishers Friday advanced to Saturday's round.
Gallant opened Thursday with a five-fish limit weighing 21 pounds, three ounces to stand ninth in the 104-angler field. On Friday, he brought in another five fish that weighed a combined 19 pounds five ounces.
Also qualifying for Saturday's round were Jeff Gustafson, of Kenora, Ont., and Chris Johnston, of Peterborough, Ont. Gustafson stood 30th (34 pounds, 11 ounces) while Johnston was 41st (31 pounds).
Gustafson's five fish Saturday weighed 10 pounds, eight ounces as he finished 38th overall (45 pounds, three ounces). Johnston also bagged a five-fish limit that weighed 12 pounds, 10 ounces to end up 43rd (43 pounds, 10 ounces).
Cory Johnston, of Cavan, Ont., finished 91st with 10 fish weighing 20 pounds 15 ounces.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 19, 2023.
The Canadian Press
