North Royalton Fishing Derby has a fin-tastic, fun turnout

Although a little sprinkle of rain came down at the 9 a.m. registration, within 20 minutes, attendees filled the perimeter of Memorial Park Pond ahead of the George Modock Jr. Memorial Fishing Derby’s 10 a.m. start time.
To honor the memory of George Modock Jr., an avid fisherman, and to encourage children to learn the joys of fishing, the Modock family hosted the 22nd fishing derby from 10 a.m. to Noon on June 12.
Suzanne Roth, Modock’s daughter, recounted how her mother initially created the fishing derby as a way to keep her husband’s memory alive and bring families together.
“It’s a way to bring kids, families together outside on a beautiful summer day to do something that anybody can do — boy, girl, big, small, whatever — it doesn’t matter,” Roth said. “What it’s about is just community and introducing [kids] to something, a little friendly competition.”
Keeping friendly competition alive, Quinn Hanes, alongside her dad Josh Hanes, decided to enter the competition with a new pink rod from a Metro Parks’ fishing derby where she placed second, looking to claim first place in the 7-9 category this year.
“As a little kid, I love fishing, and this was my second-place award from my last fishing derby,” Quinn said, “and I think I can try to get first place and beat my score.”
Josh Hanes attended the derby to support Quinn with her big ambitions, but also viewed it as an opportunity to get some father-daughter time in.
Rusty Philpot had a similar point of view, seeing the derby as a way to introduce his daughter Harper to the joys of fishing.
“It’s just a fun family thing to do. It’s an excuse to get out, to go fishing with your daughter, who doesn’t fish all that much with you,” Rusty said. “But since it’s a kid’s tournament, there’s prizes, it gets her influenced and gets her going.”
Having learned how to fish from his older brother, Rusty invited his brother, Harper’s Uncle Don, to attend the derby, making it a family bonding event.
At 10 a.m., North Royalton Mayor Paul Marnecheck kicked off festivities welcoming the several dozen participants to the derby and briefly explaining the rules.
“It’s such a great thing that they’re preserving a legacy that I was happy to come out for it,” Marnecheck said. “I mean, you don’t get much more simple and classic than this. Come on out on a Friday, sign up for a fishing derby, and try and catch fish.”
Around 10:20 a.m., the competition began heating up with Cale Gibbons taking an early lead in the 10-12 category, after catching a 22-inch catfish.
Things started to shake up around 11:20 with Jordan Duke catching a 23.5-inch catfish, clinching the first-place title for the 10-12 category with the biggest catch of the day.
With just two minutes left of the competition, Mason Husak made a last-minute addition to the 13-15 category, reeling in a 22-inch catfish and earning second place for the division.
The winners and runners-up from the 22nd George Modock Jr. Memorial Fishing Derby include:
Ages 7-9:
1. Carter Mason (14.75 inches)
2. Owen Stamp (8.5 inches)
3. George Prokopovich (7.5 inches)
Ages 10-12:
1. Jordan Duke (23.5 inches)
2. Cale Gibbons (22 inches)
3. Sam Jasinski (8 inches)
Ages 13-15:
1. Drew Brady (22.5 inches)
2. Mason Husak (22 inches)
3. Jamie Barnacle (8.75 inches)
To celebrate the catches of the day of the winners and runners-up, they received trophies and gift cards donated by the Modock family.
All participants and attendees were able to celebrate Modock’s legacy after the derby, enjoying hot dogs from Lang’s Butcher Block & Deli or taking pictures in front of balloon arches from BoBella Party Balloons.