John Cox: A Drop May Not Stop Him
Posted by Pete Robbins on Jul 14th 2021
*images courtesy of BASSMASTER.com
I’m not math-capable enough to fully calculate the impacts of the “one drop” policy at BASS, but if I understand correctly John Cox is still in the running to qualify for the 2022 Bassmaster Classic. Heading into this week’s season-ending Elite event on the St. Lawrence River, he sits in 29th place in the AOY standings, well inside the Classic cut, but due to a foreseeable DQ he will not fish.
Of course, disqualification alone typically does not preclude an angler from making a season-ending championship or earning a title. Kevin VanDam was DQed from an Elite at Santee Cooper in January of 2007, then went on to qualify for the Classic. In 2014, Anthony Gagliardi was DQed from the season-opening FLW tournament on Okechobee, and not only earned a spot in the next Forrest Wood Cup, but won it. Three years later, Brandon Palaniuk finished 105th at Okeechobee to start the Elite season and went on to earn the AOY title.
Thus, if Cox were to make the Classic it wouldn’t be unprecedented. However, there would be some differences between his season and the others mentioned above—primarily the fact that KVD/Gagliardi/BP all suffered through infractions or missteps early in the season and had their long-term destiny largely in their own control, while Cox will be on the sidelines for the final event. He will have to rely on the kindness of strangers to make it happen. Of course, all tournaments count equally (except, sort of, the St. Lawrence, where a win would earn even the angler who is currently last in the AOY race a Classic berth), so 105th in event eight or nine is mathematically the same as 105th in event one or two. Heightening the absurdity and unlikeliness of Cox’s quest is the fact that in addition to the upcoming DQ—for which he will get zero points—he also has a near-last 96th place finish on his ledger for the season.
Does that make his effort all that much more impressive than the others?
Certainly the fact that he fished two tours this year—indeed, the tours’ overlapping schedule was the cause of his DQ—makes it more impressive in my eyes. Ultimately, it’s all about getting to the next step, when everybody starts at zero.
