Recreation: FGCU lifting coach Dundon flexes muscles at state meet

The coach still has it. Florida Gulf Coast University powerlifting coach Jim Dundon broke his own state masters record in the bench press at last weekend’s USA Powerlifting Florida State Championships.

The event, which spanned two days, was held at the Ramada Riverfront Hotel in Fort Myers.

Dundon had held a state record of 473 pounds in the bench press. Last weekend, he put up 457 pounds.

Dundon said he hopes to serve as an inspiration to his FGCU lifters.

“When I was growing up, my coach was my father,” Dundon said. “I always tried to emulate him. With the generations today, they can look to coaches as someone to look up to in their lifting.”

Three of his FGCU lifters qualified for the collegiate national championships, to be held April 14-16 in Miami. In the female division, Ashley Jones (123 pounds) and Joanna Weirsma (148 pounds) both qualified, as did Brian Creel (132 pounds) in the male division.The competition also saw a new American masters record set, as Larry Wallen completed a deadlift of 650 pounds.

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Collier County is set to host two Southern Kingfish Association tournaments in the month of March. The first, the Marco Island Contender King Fling, will be held March 10 and 11 from Cedar Bay Marina on Marco Island. Anglers will compete March 11 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a top prize of $10,000 based on 100 boats.

The second, the Naples Contender Kingfish Classic, is a two-day tournament to be held March 25 and 26 from the Naples Bayfront Center. Anglers will compete for the top prize of a 21-foot Yamaha-powered Contender boat. For more information, contact John Zalud at (941) 468-6080, the Southern Kingfish Association at (904) 819-0360 or the association Web site at www.fishska.com.

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Naples resident and fishing legend Roland Martin will be featured on an upcoming three- part series on the television program “Nightly Business Report,” which runs on public television.

“Nightly Business Report” will analyze the growing popularity of bass fishing on its February 14, 15 and 16 shows in a series titled “The Reel Deal.”

The series will feature Martin, one of the first true professional anglers who helped popularize bass fishing. His show, “Fishing with Roland Martin,” airs on the Outdoor Life Network. “Nightly Business Report” can be seen locally on WGCU at 6:30 p.m.

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Wave magazine, a Miami- based water-related activities magazine, has announced it will launch a $1 million online boat auction at the Miami International Boat Show, to be held Feb. 16-20. The nationwide auction, featuring three boats in the month of March valued from $28,000 to more than $100,000, is the first phase of a rolling auction of watercraft from leading boat manufacturers.

Those interested can view the boats and bid at www.WaveAuction.com. The initial auction will begin on Feb. 16 and close on Feb. 23 at 11:59 p.m.