Ethan's Catfish Tournament

On Saturday, the 17th it was a beautiful day for fishing and fishing is exactly what many came together to do for a great cause. Ethan Chapman a Senior of Paris Highschool put on his 7th Catfish Tournament in the past 4 years (one in the fall and one in the spring). The Tournament all started with Ethan needing an SAE project and after talking to a few people, many mentioned that there was a need for a Catfish Tournament in the area and how it could be a good way to raise money. Ethan hopes to take it to the National level.

The Tournament is in honor of Ethan's cousin Sarah Foster who tragically lost her life in 2017 to a Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (blood clot to her brain). Sarah was the daughter of Chuck and Vicki Huber, wife to Alex Foster and was a graduate from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife, then received a Master of Science in Natural Resource Management. Sarah had a passion for wildlife and the outdoors. All money raised at the Tournament goes to the Sarah Huber Foster memorial scholarship at University of Missouri. It is for any student from Missouri wishing to go into wildlife biology and fisheries. Requirement is that you must be a 4-H or FFA member as Sarah was highly active in both growing up.

On Saturday there were 28 boats registered with winners being as follows: 1st place went to Kiel Erwin, Reed Erwin, and Doug Erwin. 2nd place went to Jacob Pease, Kason Berry, and Nellie Dowell. 3rd Place went to Landen Chapman, Jason Chapman, and Phillip Dowell. Biggest fish award went to Quentin Ashenfelter and Eric Heightmeyer.

Sponsors that helped with the tournament through donations are Paris Hardware and Supply, The Hunting Corner, Kens fast lube in Mexico, Meeks in Mexico, Outdoor Asian, Co-op of Paris, Cooks boats and motors, Slimcat Rods, Reading Farms in Mexico, Midwest Tire in Shelbina, Applebee Construction, Steve & Dixie Sims, Wade Firestone, Chris Willingham, Chris Nicholes, Phillip Dowell, Colman Blair, Missouri Regional Bank, along with Wheeler Auction.

With Ethan getting ready to go to college next year the question of what happens to the tournament now? Rest easy the Chapman family explained that with Ethan's younger brother Landen starting high school soon he will take it over as his SAE so Ethan will gradually start handing things over to Landen. Since it is a family effort the transition should be an easy one.