Canadian Cory Johnston finishes eighth in Elite Series event at Seminole Lake

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. – It was a nice rebound for Canadian Cory Johnston.

The resident of Cavan, Ont., finished eighth in the Elite Series event at Lake Seminole on Sunday. It came a week after Johnston was 91st at the Series-opening competition on Lake Okeechobee at Okeechobee, Fla.

Johnston weighed a five-fish limit of 16 pounds, one ounce in final-round competition Sunday to finish the tournament with 20 fish that tipped the scales at 69 pounds, one ounce. American Joey Cifuentes III, an Elite Series rookie, won the event with 85 pounds, two ounces.

Johnston was the lone Canadian to make the final round. His brother, Chris, finished 17th (48 pounds, 12 ounces) while Cooper Gallant, of Bowmanville, Ont., was 46th (38 pounds, four ounces) and Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, Ont., was 55th (27 pounds,10 ounces).

The Johnstons and Gallant made the top-50 to qualify for Saturday’s third round.

Cory Johnston opened the tournament with five fish weighing 15 pounds, three ounces to stand No. 32 in the 104-angler field. But he moved into a tie for 16th with his brother after the second day (32 pounds, 12 ounces each).

On Saturday, Cory Johnston had five fish for 19 pounds, four ounces to stand fifth overall at 53 pounds.

Up next for the four Canadians will be the US$1-million Bassmaster Classic, the Series’ premier event, March 24-26 on the Tennessee River at Knoxville, Tenn. It will be the fourth Classic appearance for the Johnstons and Gustafson but the first for Gallant.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2023.

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