Avery® Outdoors - Avery International

Powers Captures Crown at 7th Annual Avery International

Kelley Powers in the Final round of the Avery International

Kelley Powers calling in the final round of the 2003 Avery International.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Kelley Powers of Union City, TN, won the 7th annual Avery International Goose Calling Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 4, at John A. Logan College.

Powers quickly emerged in Round 1 as the cream of this year's crop of callers. By the third and final round, he was the clear cut leader and it was now Kelley's contest to win or lose. He faced a challenge on this night from only one other caller.

When he blew the final note of his last routine, be blew away what was left of the rest of the field. Powers, himself, knew it as well as he clenched his fist in both celebration and relief and allowed a rare - albeit nervous - smile to sneak upon his face as he stepped down from the stage.

When he returned to the stage 20 minutes later, having been called back only after the judges had handed their final tabulations to the emcee, he was accompanied by the four other callers from the final flight of five. His smile had been banished by his consuming nerves.

Tim Grounds 2003 MC for Avery International

Tim Grounds, the 2003 Master of Ceremonies for the 7th Annual Avery International.

But on this night, no matter how many others occupied space on stage, Kelley stood alone. Clearly the best caller in the field and clearly at his best in this contest, the former world champion and last year's runner-up in the Avery International, convincingly captured a previously elusive title which was admittedly very important to him both personally and professionally.

"I've always wanted to win the Avery International," Powers said. "It's a crowning achievement because all of the best callers are always here.

"This is the one I've always wanted," he continued. "I really wanted this one bad. There were five or six guys here for the first time tonight, and the competitors are qualifying younger and younger. It's getting really tough."

In fact, Powers wasn't the only one to leave his mark on this year's contest. Derrick Damron, only 16, of La Center, KY, was very impressive in his debut. The youngest caller to ever qualify for the Avery International, Damron advanced to the second round. And Craig McDonald of Ontario, Canada, ultimately placed fifth, truly making this year's contest an International affair.

This year's contest featured the 26 best callers from North America. For his first place finish, Powers took the $7,500 first prize. Others who won a portion of the event's $12,500 purse - the richest in the world for either goose or duck calling contests - include Scott Threinen, of Montorville, MN, awarded $2,000 for his second place finish; Altie Lannom, of Marion, IL, who collected $1,500 for third place; Sean Hammock, of Edwardsburg, MI, who placed fourth and won $1,000; and McDonald, who won $500 for his fifth place effort.

As in past years, the event also featured a two-day goose hunt in southern Illinois which gave participating hunters an opportunity to

2nd Place caller Scott Thrienen hunting prior to the contest on Saturday night.

hunt with the world's most talented callers. Money raised for the Illinois Conservation Foundation at the event is earmarked specifically to support youth waterfowl hunting events and activities in Illinois. This year's contest had a record number crowd in attendance with well over 800 individuals attending the event on Saturday night. In addition to this year's title sponsor - Avery Outdoors - the event was cosponsored by Mossy Oak, Remington, Dunn's Sporting Goods, Hevi-Shot, Budweiser and the Williamson County Tourism Bureau.

For more information about the Avery International, please contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Public Events and Promotions, by phone at (217) 785-8955, or by e-mail at EVENTS@dnrmail.state.il.us.

2003 Avery International Sponsors: