LOVEWELL STATE PARK GETS KIDS INTO FISH

Fishing derby yields 275 pounds of fish; nearly $2,000 in prizes awarded
MANKATO — Lovewell State Park’s Annual Kids Fishing Derby was held June 6, with 186 youth registered for the event. By the end of the day, there were lots of proud smiling faces as 60 kids weighed in more than 275 pounds of fish.

A Hastings, Neb., youth was the winner of this year’s $200 Don Cart Memorial Savings Bond. Thirteen-year-old Andrew Rutt was awarded the bond through a random drawing held at the beginning of the weigh-in. Prizes were given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for total weight in two age groups — 7 and younger and 8 through 15. A prize was also awarded for the biggest fish in each age group. Through random drawing, other participants shared in more than $1,700 worth of prizes donated by area businesses.

Winners in the age 7 and younger age group included the following:

  • biggest fish — Jacob Schnell, Beloit;
  • 1st place total weight — Tate Schriner, Red Cloud, Neb.;
  • 2nd Place — Kerrigan Dunstan, Mankato; and
  • 3rd Place — Kyalin Kussman, Formoso.

Winners in the 8 to 15 age group included these youngsters:

  • biggest fish — Mariah Schell, Beloit;
  • 1st place total weight — Damian Fayle, Oak, Neb.;
  • 2nd place — Conner Strutt, Belleville; and
  • 3rd place — Tycen Higer, Mankato.

Several dozen sponsors from Kansas and Nebraska made the event possible.
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