IN PICTURES: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY DOLPHIN TOURNEY NETS $58K FOR AFFORDABLE HOMES

By
Alex Rickert
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a group of people standing next to each other
Habitat Middle Keys staff and board members. From left: board members Cindy McKnight and Andres Herrera, executive director Chris Todd Young, board members Lisa Ziels, Meghan Bolen and ReStore manager Lily Williamson.


Rough seas didn’t deter more than 100 anglers from supporting affordable homeownership in the Middle Keys in the 19th annual Habitat for Humanity Mother’s Day Dolphin Tournament on May 9 and 10. Fishing aboard 30 different vessels for eight hours, 108 total anglers battled it out on Saturday for the heaviest mahi in four competitive divisions. When the trophy fish hit the scales at the Marathon Yacht Club, Key West-based Weekend Warrior Nate Duncan brought home the heaviest catch at 25 pounds. Most importantly, at the conclusion of the awards banquet held at the yacht club, the fan-favorite tourney raised more than $58,000 for Habitat Middle Keys, destined to support future builds to house hardworking Marathon locals.

Photos by NATALIE DANKO/Photo Design by Natalie

a table topped with buckets and cups
A table of prizes and trophies await anglers in the 19th annual Mother’s Day Dolphin Tournament.
a group of people standing next to each other
Habitat Middle Keys staff and board members. From left: board members Cindy McKnight and Andres Herrera, executive director Chris Todd Young, board members Lisa Ziels, Meghan Bolen and ReStore manager Lily Williamson.
a group of people standing next to each other
Top Pro Division angler Ethan Wohlers, center, earns a $2,000 payout.
a group of young men standing next to each other
Liechty Marine general manager Darrell Braddy, left, presents top Weekend Warrior angler Nate Duncan and his crew with their first-place trophy. Duncan reeled in the heaviest fish of the tournament at 25 pounds.
a group of men standing next to each other
Top Junior Angler Justin Torro, center, claims his trophy and Suzuki swag with his team.
a group of people posing for a picture at a table
After a long day of fishing, teams retire to the Marathon Yacht Club for an awards banquet. Front row, from left: Emmalee Speer, Kyle Franz, Butch Mitchell and Dawn Mitchell. Second row: Erika Goodman, RD Goodman, Kristin Carlson, Damien Pottage, Bill Giliberti.
two women and a man holding a plaque and a microphone
Second-place lady angler Erika Goodman receives her trophy.
a group of people sitting around a table
Laura, left, and Chris Gratton take in the awards ceremony.

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

Weekend Warriors Division
Nate Duncan (Key West) – 25 lbs.
Donna Hart (Big Pine Key) – 23.8 lbs.
Jonathan Flatt (Big Pine Key) -18.4 lbs.

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Pro Division
Ethan Wohlers (Marathon) – 21.8 lbs.
Chase Johnson (Summerland Key) – 20 lbs.
Steve Bellovich (Key West) – 18.5 lbs.

Lady Anglers
Bennett Sheltra (Indiantown, FL) – 24.4 lbs.
Erika Goodman (Marathon) – 14.2 lbs.
Kristina Helms (Grassy Key) – 13.4 lbs.

Junior Anglers
Justin Torro (Virginia Gardens, FL) – 15.8 lbs.
Damian Santana (Key West) – 11.4 lbs.
Caidyn Young (Marathon) – 3.4 lbs.

Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert made the perfectly natural career progression from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor in 2021 after freelancing for Keys Weekly while working full time at Dolphin Research Center. A resident of Marathon since 2015, he fell in love with the Florida Keys community by helping multiple organizations and friends rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Irma. An avid runner, actor, and spearfisherman, he spends as much of his time outside of work on or under the sea having civil disagreements with sharks.

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