23-year-old becomes youngest "Bassmaster"

By The Associated Press

CREATED Jul. 1, 2012

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Jonathon VanDam won the Green Bay Challenge on Sunday to become the youngest Bassmaster Elite Series winner at 23 years, 10 months.

VanDam, from Kalamazoo, Mich., finished with a four-day catch of smallmouth bass of 79 pounds, 2 ounces. He earned $103,000 and a spot in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.

"I went through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows today," VanDam said. "I didn't have my first keeper until about noon. I was a train wreck, but I kept grinding, and it paid off. Words just don't describe what this means to me," VanDam said. "I've been dreaming of this moment for a long time."

Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, the third-day leader, finished second -- 2-6 back.