The Third Official Season of the Southern Illinois Kayak Club

Director: Joshua Lincoln

2020 SIKC Season Summary

The 2020 SIKC season marked both a test of resilience and a massive step forward for the Southern Illinois Kayak Club. Under the continued direction of Ryan McCann, the club navigated the challenges of COVID-19, modified its formats, and still delivered one of the most competitive seasons in SIKC history.

Despite the uncertainty of the year, the club completed five AOY-qualifying events plus the SIKC Classic Championship, showcasing a growing field of skilled anglers and the emergence of new rivalries that would define the next era of the club.

And at the top of it all, with an extraordinary streak of podium-caliber performances, stood Glenn Banaszak, the 2020 Angler of the Year.

2020 Angler of the Year – Glenn Banaszak

The 2020 AOY race wasn’t merely competitive — it was historic.

Glenn Banaszak delivered one of the most consistent seasons ever recorded in SIKC competition. According to the official standings image, Glenn finished:

  • Top 5 in every single event

  • 2nd place in three of the five tournaments

  • 1st place in the SIKC Classic Championship

His season-long excellence earned him 192 points, comfortably securing his back-to-back AOY title and making him the first angler in SIKC history to repeat the honor.

He also became the first-ever SIKC Classic Champion, adding even more weight to his already dominant season.

2020 Final AOY Standings

2020 Rookie of the Year – Darren Hemker

2020 also brought a standout newcomer. Darren Hemker powered into SIKC competition by winning the first two events of the season, including the May Monthly which replaced the canceled Newton Lake opener.

The ROY title was ultimately decided at the Classic, where Darren’s 2nd place finish broke the season-long ROY tie and secured him the championship.

Tournament-by-Tournament Recap

Tournament #1 – Newton Lake (Canceled)

The planned Newton Lake opener was canceled to protect anglers’ safety during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Tournament #1B – May Monthly (Washington Co., Clinton, Sangchris)

With COVID restrictions limiting lake access, the club adapted and created a one-month multi-lake tournament. Anglers logged fish all throughout May.

Top Finishers:

  • 1st – Darren Hemker (50 pts) — 101.25"

  • 2nd – Glenn Banaszak (49) — 95"

  • 3rd – Lee Van Hoose (48) — 94.75"

  • 4th – Wil Abbott (47)

  • 5th – Rece Schneider (46)

This event established Hemker as the early-season standout and confirmed that Glenn was once again in AOY form.

Tournament #2 – Peabody River King

Peabody delivered a tight leaderboard and the season’s first true in-person competition.

Top Finishers:

  • 1st – Brad Hudson (50)

  • 2nd – Joe Burchett (49)

  • 3rd – Rece Schneider (48)

  • 4th – Glenn Banaszak (47)

  • 5th – Nate Barto (46)

Glenn’s strong 4th-place finish kept him on track toward another AOY run.

Tournament #3 – Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake saw Luke Brozovich take command:

Top Finishers:

  • 1st – Luke Brozovich (50) — 84.75"

  • 2nd – Glenn Banaszak (49) — 83.50"

  • 3rd – Rece Schneider (48)

  • 4th – Joe Burchett (47)

  • 5th – Austin Weidhuner (46)

Glenn’s consecutive 2nd-place finishes put him firmly as the points leader.

Tournament #4 – Coffeen Lake

Coffeen brought another shake-up to the standings:

Top Finishers:

  • 1st – Joshua Lincoln (50) — 46.25"

  • 2nd – Glenn Banaszak (49) — 46"

  • 3rd – Luke Brozovich (48)

  • 4th – Joe Rippe (47)

  • 5th – Lee Van Hoose (46)

Another podium for Glenn — his third straight.

Tournament #5 – Newton Lake (Season Return)

Newton finally made its appearance later in the season, and Dustin Siegel stole the show:

Top Finishers:

  • 1st – Dustin Siegel (50) — 85.25"

  • 2nd – Luke Brozovich (49)

  • 3rd – Josh Lincoln (48)

  • 4th – Glenn Banaszak (47)

  • 5th – Joe Burchett (46)

Even on a day dominated by Siegel, Glenn kept the AOY race firmly under his control.

SIKC Classic Championship – Sangchris Lake

The championship delivered an exclamation point to Glenn’s season.

Podium:

  • 1st – Glenn Banaszak — 78"

  • 2nd – Darren Hemker — 73"

  • 3rd – Wil Abbott — 72.25"

Glenn became the first SIKC Classic Champion, securing both the Classic crown and the AOY title in the same season — a milestone achievement.

Season Legacy

The 2020 season will be remembered for:

  • The club’s resilience through COVID-19

  • The introduction of adaptive monthly formats

  • The emergence of future standouts like Hemker, Brozovich, and Schneider

  • Glenn Banaszak solidifying himself as the first true dynasty in SIKC history

With tight leaderboards, new challenges, and dramatic finishes, 2020 became one of the most formative seasons in the club’s early history.