Colbert Student Casts For Success

Sun., March 14, 1999

Rich Landers Outdoors Editor

A local boy is making good in casting competitions.

Mark Purser, a fourth-grader at Colbert Elementary School, won the CastingKids competition in January during the Northwest Game Fish Show at Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds.

“We didn’t even know there was a casting competition at the show,” said Mark’s father, Jeff. “He just entered on whim and won the 7-10 age group.”

The 10-year-old advanced to win a rod, reel and other gear after topping 37 qualifiers in the area competition held at the Seattle Kingdome in February.

His skill at casting, pitching and flipping earned him an expense-paid trip to the regional cast-offs in Shreveport, La.

“He got air fare for himself and a parent, but the whole family’s going, including his sister,” Jeff said. “This is a big deal for Mark, considering it’s his first plane trip.”

Depending on how he performs among the 10 West Coast champions, Purser could qualify for the national finals to be held at the Bassmaster’s Classic fishing tournament at New Orleans in late July.

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