ATHENS, Texas—The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center’s annual Bluegill Family Fishing Tournament awarded about $3,000 in donated prizes to winners Saturday.

– Lake Havasu

The tournament awards prizes for the heaviest stringers of sunfish and for the biggest sunfish. Prize packages went to the top 10 teams in addition to the big fish award.

A total of 57 teams competed in the event, and every team received a plush toy courtesy of Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership of Athens.

Pam and Zay Ridgle of Brownsboro took first place with a total weight of 2.6 pounds and also won the big fish award with a catch of 0.78 pound. Their prizes included an Xbox 360, fishing gear, gift cards and other merchandise valued at about $1,000.

Fishing in the contest takes place in the ponds at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center and in Lake Athens. Teams consist of one adult and one youth, who need not be related.

Sponsors of the event included the Lake Athens Property Owners Association, Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership, Best Western Royal Mountain Inn, Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites – Athens, WalMart Supercenter of Athens, Cole Air Conditioning and Appliance, Chicken Express and First State Bank.

Second place winners were Leroy Hallman and Calie Spivey of Arlington.

Third place went to Colton Seeton and Austin Sheffield of Athens.

Fourth place was taken by Mark Compton and Lance Compton of Chandler.

Fifth place winners were Margaret Compton and Eli Ridgle of Brownsboro.

Sixth place went to Bart Smith and Tori Smith of Athens.

Seventh place winners were Robert McGallon and Austin McGallon of Mabank.

Eighth place went to Coleen Compton and Landon Compton of Chandler.

Ninth place was taken by Alisa Johnson and Kaenan Johnson of Chandler.

Tenth place went to Jeff Boyer and Layne Boyer of Jacksonville.

– Lake Havasu