MOSES LAKE — Junior anglers from throughout the state gathered in Moses Lake over the weekend to participate in the Junior Bassmasters State Championship in Moses Lake.

After the fish were weighed and released, Tanner Boday of Moses Lake (11-14 age group) and Chase Heaton of Spokane, Wash., (15-18 age division) were named the 2009 state champions.

The junior bassmasters competed for two straight days on Saturday and Sunday to determine the champions on Moses Lake in the Bass Angler Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S) Federation Nation of Washington State sanctioned event.

Boday, 11, entered the contest fishing for the Tri-Cities River Runners and had an impressive performance in his first state tournament.

During the two-day tournament, Boday remained consistent totalling 11.94 pounds on the first day and 11.36 on the second day to claim the title.

Heaton, 16, sat in fourth place and came from behind for the victory, catching 15.46 pounds on the second day for a 27.46 total and his first state championship.

With their victories over the weekend, Boday and Heaton will represent Washington in the 2010 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Western Divisional to be held in Arizona in May.

Boday and Heaton will compete against state champions from nine other states in a one-day shoot out for an opportunity to qualify for the 2010 Junior Bassmaster World Championships in October 2010.