DIXFIELD – Brian Volkernick has advanced to the 2008 Junior Bassmaster World Championship (JWC) to be held on Geary County State Lake Nov. 8 in Junction City, Kansas.

Volkernick qualified for the major BASS event by finishing in first place on Highland Lake in Bridgton in the Maine Junior Bassmaster Championship with four fish that weighed 10.24 pounds.

That victory secured him a spot in the Junior Bassmaster Eastern Divisional on Lake Winnipesaukee, N.H. There, Volkernick managed two bass for 5.5 pounds and was crowned the Junior Bassmaster Eastern Division Champion for the 11-14 age division.

He will compete against five other junior competitors in his age group. There will also be six anglers competing in the 15-18 age group. All Junior Bassmaster World Championship contenders will receive academic college scholarship awards, with the top angler in each age division receiving a $5,000 scholarship.

The Maine BASS Federation Nation Chapter is sponsored by the Alliance sponsorship team, so Volkernick has a chance to also win a Triton, Mercury, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide and Optima Batteries boat package if he wins his age group.

The Junior Bassmaster World Championship will be streamed live on Bassmaster.com. Fishing fans may check Bassmaster.com for schedules, event information and daily coverage. The Junior World Bassmaster Championship showcases the top youth anglers in the world and provides them the opportunity to fish competitively through BASS – the most visible fishing tournament structure in the world.

Volkernick is a member of the L/A Junior Bassmasters of Auburn. FMI, go to androscogginbassmasters.com.