Palaniuk moves closer to top angler honor

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Brandon Palaniuk of Hayden retained his lead in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with one event remaining in the season, following a third-place finish Sunday at the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain.

Palaniuk, the former Lakeland High and North Idaho College wrestling standout, had a catch of 20 pounds, 7 ounces on the final day for a total of 57 pounds, 5 ounces.

“I don’t think about the race — I just think about catching them the next day,” Palaniuk said. “Every guy wants to win an Angler of the Year title, but I know for me, mentally, I fish a lot better not knowing where I am in the race. It’s not like I don’t care. It’s more like a racecar driver — if you’re worried about the guy behind you, you’re looking back and slowing down. I’m not going to do that. I’m going full speed ahead.”

Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., massed a 23-pound, 5-ounce sack of bass on the final day for a total of 58 pounds, 12 ounces, edging second-place finisher Seth Feider of Bloomington, Minn., by a little less than a pound.