Judsonia caller earns third title

STUTTGART - For the third time in four years, Brad Allen of Judsonia won the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest on Saturday to close the 78th Wings Over the Prairie Festival.

Like last year, Allen, 40, a physical therapist, outpointed David St. John of Conway to win the world’s premier duck calling title. He won a prize package worth about $18,000, including $8,000 in cash, a War Eagle boat, decoys, and Winchester Blind Side shotgun shells. He also won in 2010 and finished third in 2011.

Jonathan Martin of Trumann finished third, followed by Phil Green of Weiner and Rob Bevins of Belle Plaine, Iowa.

Callers that win three titles are automatically retired from the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest. John Stephens of Stuttgart was the last caller to win three.

“It’s unbelievable,” Allen said. “When you start competing, the biggest dream you have is to be able to win three since that’s what you’re allowed to win, but it’s unreal to actually be able to do it. It’s kind of bittersweet, but at the same time, what a way to go out. To go out on top is great.”

St. John, who Allen said is a close friend, gave him a run for his money.

“This is the hardest fought contest I’ve ever been involved in, going six rounds,” Allen said. “David is one of the best in the world, and for it to go down to the two of us twice is just unbelievable.”

Allen said he used the same routine as last year, with a few minor modifications.

“I’ve had good luck with it, so I didn’t want to mess with it too much,” Allen said, “but when I put a routine together, I listen to each segment of the routine and ask myself which caller is the best in the segment. I try to figure out what characteristics they have that makes theirs’ the best, and then I blend it all together.”

Bill Free of Stuttgart has served as chairman of the contest for 11 years. He said perfect weather made this year’s festival one of the best. In addition, the contest included two contestants from Canada and one, Russell West, from New Zealand.

“His call had an accent,” Free said. “We truly had a world contest this year. I’m not saying it hadn’t been in the past, but we had folks from all over the world.”

“We had good numbers in each of the contests as far as participants. We had a lot of new vendors this year, and overall it was just a darned good festival in our 78th year.”WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIP DUCK CALLING CONTEST

Saturday’s results from Stuttgart:OVERALL NAME HOMETOWN Brad Allen Judsonia David St. John Conway Jonathan Martin Trumann Phil Green Weiner Rob Bevins Belle Plaine, IowaCHICK & SOPHIE MAJOR MEMORIAL Will Nanney Gleason, Tenn.

Devlin Hodges Kimberly, Ala.

Blake Hodge Lancaster, S.C.

Alex Ciraulo Buford, Ga.

JUNIOR WOMEN’S WORLD Julia Ryan Stuttgart Cloe Lane Stuttgart Grace Callahan Walnut RidgeINTERMEDIATE WORLD Connor Koneneny Stuttgart Nathan Flemmans Welsh, La.

Zac Arnold Bald Knob Harrison Ward Little Rock Gabe Wece Carbondale, IllLAST CHANCE REGIONAL Brandon Sinkey Judsonia Bodie Drake Fort Myers, Fla.

Mike Still Searcy Scott Stokes WinslowJUNIOR WORLD Ryan Sherbondy Acampo, Calif.

Jake Wisener Guntersville, Ala.

Jarrin Landrus El Paso, Ill.

Hunter Nanney Dumas, Miss.

SENIOR WORLD Craig Wilson Los Angeles Charles Petty Harrisburg Johnny Mahfouz Stuttgart Curt Schuenoman Monsanto, Minn.

WOMEN’S WORLD Hallie Horton Luxora Kaleigh Meintzer Easton, Md.

Kelsi Mashburn Stuttgart Haley Calhoun Des Arc

Sports, Pages 35 on 12/01/2013

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