2018 SIKC Season Summary
The First Official Season of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club
Director: Ryan McCann
The 2018 season marked the first official year of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club (SIKC)—a foundational year that set the standards, spirit, and competitive culture that define the club today. Under the leadership of Director Ryan McCann, SIKC launched its inaugural tournament schedule, established its AOY scoring system, and welcomed a passionate community of anglers who would shape the club’s identity for years to come.
The debut season featured six AOY-qualifying events across southern Illinois and the surrounding region, including the club’s first-ever Weekend Online Tournament, a new format at the time that would quickly become a staple of the SIKC competitive calendar.
Across lakes such as Beaver, Newton, Crab Orchard, Kinkaid, and Sangchris, anglers competed through changing conditions, diverse fisheries, and rapidly developing competition—laying the groundwork for all the seasons that followed.
Tournament-By-Tournament Highlights
Tournament #1 – Beaver Lake
The club’s first official points event—its first true test—produced the early storyline of the season: Kyle Rocca announced himself immediately, securing the historic first win in SIKC history with 50 points. Close behind were Dave Dixon (49) and Luke Brozovich (48), beginning what would become a year-long battle among the top competitors.
Tournament #2 – Newton Lake
Newton delivered heavy numbers and tight competition. Nate Barto climbed to the top with a 50-point performance, followed by Elijah Bishop (49) and Dave Dixon (48). Consistent scoring by Rocca, Lincoln, and Van Hoose kept the AOY field deep and balanced.
Tournament #3 – Crab Orchard Lake
Crab Orchard rewarded anglers who could find stable patterns in changing spring conditions. Izak Hill led the field with 50 points, while Dave Dixon (49) and Dylan Fuqua (48) stayed strong. A cluster of anglers tied at 36 points—including Lincoln, Siegel, and Van Hoose—kept the season’s leaderboard tightly packed.
Tournament #4 - Online Weekend
The club’s first online event opened the door for statewide participation and created one of the season’s defining statistical moments. Kenneth Ferguson won the event outright with 50 points, but the crucial storyline was Dave Dixon’s 49-point finish plus the 20-point Big Bass bonus—giving him the single highest event total of the year and ultimately deciding the AOY title.
This format innovation became a key feature of future SIKC seasons.
Tournament #5 – Kinkaid Lake (Open)
Kinkaid lived up to its reputation as a big-fish and big-risk fishery. Dylan Fuqua broke out with a perfect 50-point victory, pushing him deep into AOY contention. Dustin Siegel (49) and Kyle Rocca (48) also delivered major late-season finishes.
Tournament #6 – Sangchris Lake
The season finale on Sangchris came with high pressure and high stakes. Izak Hill secured his second win of the year with 50 points, while Kyle Rocca (49) and Patrick Tharp (48) closed strong. These final points reshaped the top tier of the AOY standings and locked in a dramatic finish to the club’s first season.
2018 Angler of the Year Results
The AOY title was determined using each angler’s best four finishes, plus any Big Bass bonus from the weekend online event.
🥇 2018 Angler of the Year – Dave Dixon (215 pts)
Dave’s consistency was unmatched. Every counted finish was 45 points or higher, and his online event Big Bass bonus sealed the championship in SIKC’s inaugural season.
🥈 2nd – Kyle Rocca (192 pts)
The first tournament winner in club history stayed hot all year, finishing just behind Dixon with strong performances across multiple lakes.
🥉 3rd – Dylan Fuqua (191 pts)
Only one point shy of the runner-up position, Dylan’s late-season charge at Kinkaid and Crab Orchard made him one of the most memorable breakout anglers of 2018.
