Michigan's VanDam Takes Bassmaster Title

GROVE, Okla. (AP) -- Kevin VanDam reeled in a catch of 18 pounds, 12 ounces Sunday to retake the lead and capture the Bassmaster Elite Series' Sooner Run on Grand Lake.<br/><br/>VanDam's four-day

Sunday, June 24th 2007, 7:23 pm

By: News On 6

GROVE, Okla. (AP) -- Kevin VanDam reeled in a catch of 18 pounds, 12 ounces Sunday to retake the lead and capture the Bassmaster Elite Series' Sooner Run on Grand Lake.

VanDam's four-day total weighed 78 pounds, 2 ounces, and his $100,000 payday brings his career earnings to nearly $2.5 million.

VanDam grabbed the lead back from Jeff Kriet, the home-state favorite who led after Saturday's round but finished second overall after a disappointing 14 pounds, 8 ounces on the final day of the tournament. That brought his four-day total to 74 pounds, 5 ounces.

Another Oklahoman, Edwin Evers, finished third after hauling in a 22-pound total on Sunday to finish with a four-day total of 73 pounds, 7 ounces.

VanDam, now a 12-time BASS tournament winner, is the career leading money winner.

"I have had a couple of mediocre tournaments this year, and that really motivates me to do well," VanDam said. "Fishing against this level of competition really fuels my competitive nature."