Wrastlin’ a Crowd Favorite
These determined wranglers weren’t afraid to dive right in, showing off strength and strategy during the crowd-pleasing Catfish Wrastlin’ showdown. PHOTO | Submitted
By Greg Moore
Banner Sports Editor
Smith Funeral Home sponsored Catfish Wrastlin’ on the opening night at the GRCF. In what has become a tradition of the festival, Rachel Sublett and her husband, Randy, coordinate quite an entertaining event for many.
This year, like others in the past, the couple tweaked the competition, which has always consisted of an entrant having control of the fish out of water for three seconds; they allowed children and teens to participate. While the divisions consisted of children, teens, and adults, opposite sexes were in the same division, unlike last year.
Many female participants still took part and some really enjoyed it. There was an abundance of younger catfish wranglers; in addition, they produced many laughs from the crowd. Brothers went after one another as if it was war; however, everyone stayed decent to opponents and no tempers flared. Well, maybe one gal about retaliated after the bell. All in all, it stayed reputable.
Fearless females competitors go toe-to-fin with a slippery catfish, proving the ladies brought both grit and game to this year’s Catfish Wrastlin’ at the Green River Catfish Festival. PHOTO | Submitted
Ian Givens once again dove on his prey and got his meat-hooks on the fish first as his strategy. It resulted in another defended title; however, he had some threatening chasers looking to strip his belt. While Givens would still be considered the favorite next year, look for some more tweaks on the event and resilient contenders to seek revenge.
A crowd favorite, Missy Morgan, who won the women’s last year and was runner-up with the men before that, got upset by Timothy Clark, who dazzled the audience with some killer swim moves to emerge with the prize without his opponents’ acknowledgment on different occasions. Clark, who lasted for a long time, says he is coming for the title next year.
Nobody was more ecstatic than Kandace Tignor. Tignor won her first round before being matched up with the eventual runner-up to Givens, Brock Pfingston. While Pfingston took it easy on Tignor, him and Givens darn near killed the fish—we know what Randy was doing later. I am sure our jailer, Wayne Russ, who emceed the event, had part in a fish fry, also.
Wrestlers of all ages hit the water during the Smith Funeral Home-sponsored Catfish Wrastlin’ event, a crowd favorite at the Green River Catfish Festival. Laughter and friendly rivalry filled the air as participants wrangled catfish for the win. PHOTO | Submitted
Logan House emerged as the first winner of the teen division after going through a gauntlet of opponents. In the youngest class, Cooper Hack, who got pitted with his brother, Porter, opening round, outlasted all the girls and boys to prevail as the earliest champion in that class, which filled up (twenty max) with partakers.
Jailer Russ tried to entice everyone—including me—to join the adult class. The Subletts were going to up the wrastlin’ winnings to $1000 if they could fill up the entries to try and take the fish and belt from Givens. No way was it enough money for me and many others, obviously.
Proud of all those who stepped up to compete in this humorous event and all the other unmentioned individuals who assist Randy and Rachel Sublett in this new GRCF staple and crowd pleaser. We look forward to next year!
