BASKETBALL Hogs hire FGCU communications director
Patrick Pierson has been named associate media relations director at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the school’s primary contact for men’s basketball and men’s golf.
Pierson, a native of Frewsburg, N.Y., had been assistant athletics director of communications at Florida Gulf Coast University.
A graduate of Robert Morris University, Pierson was named director of sports information at Florida Gulf Coast in 2010 and elevated to an executive administrative role two years later. He handled the media crush that followed the Eagles’ upsets over No. 2 seed Georgetown and No. 7 San Diego State in the 2013 NCAA Tournament and made them the first No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16. Pierson also helped turn Dunk City into a well-known name during the men’s NCAA Tournament.
BASS FISHING Aaron Martens takes Bassmaster lead
Aaron Martens weighed in a five-fish limit totalling 16 pounds, 5 ounces on Saturday to take the lead heading into today’s final round of the Bassmaster Elite Series event being held on the Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wis.
Martens’ three-day total of 47-12 is seven ounces more than second place Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., who had Saturday’s top haul of 17-5.
Marten, a native of Leeds, Ala., propelled himself into the lead with the help of the biggest fish caught Saturday at 4-15, and with the disqualification of Brandon Palaniuk, who was the leader after each of the first two days.
Palaniuk, of Rathdrum, Idaho, had his Friday total of 19-3 disqualified after it was learned he was culling while in Minnesota waters. Culling, a practice that includes discarding lighter-weight fish for larger ones, is against Minnesota law, according to a release on the Bassmaster Elite Series’ website.
As a result, Palaniuk, who said he did not know he was in Minnesota waters, lost his Friday total of 19-3 and fell out of the top 50.
Instead, Martens leads a 12-member final round that is separated by six total pounds. The winner receives $100,000 and a spot in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.
“I felt bad for Brandon, but also relief at the same time,” Martens said. “I think he would have dominated, been hard to catch. It would have been tough to beat him. Now I have a chance to win.”
Scott Rook of Little Rock, who was 13th after two rounds, caught 12-9 Saturday for a total of 39-0 and placed 21st. Kevin Short of Mayflower caught 13-8 for a total of 37-15 and is in 27th place.
Sports, Pages 32 on 06/23/2013