Liberty Lake teen wins world title

Liberty Lake angler Joey Nania, 14, who won the Washington state juniorbass fishing tournament in May, cashed in on a single bass Monday to win his age division in the Junior Bassmaster World Championship near Pittsburgh.

Nania caught a 1-pound 4-ounce bass in tough fishing conditions on the Allegheny River to top the best 11- to 14-year-olds from 37 other states.

Nania and Scott Gettings, 17, of West Warwick, R.I., who caught two bass to win the 15-18 age division, each will receive a $5,000 scholarship in addition to a Triton boat with a Mercury motor valued at $8,000 and a family trip to Walt Disney World in Central Florida.

Nania’s lone fish was good enough for the day’s big bass honors and an extra $1,000.

The juniors fish out of boats piloted by pro anglers. Nania’s pro partner was 2001 CITGO Bassmaster Classic champ Kevin VanDam.

“I caught that fish in the last five minutes before I had to check in,” Nania said. “I was so happy when I caught it that I started screaming and then Kevin joined in screaming. It was amazing.”

“Joey did a phenomenal job,” VanDam said. “He came in with a game plan and he fished extremely efficiently.”

Rich Landers