....When looking at one tournament, we have always said “Your skill will get you in the top 10, but from there you are going to need a little luck”. When speaking about the 6 event marathon we call AOTY, the luck is stripped away, both good and bad. The individual moments, the wide open spots, the secret lure, the lost 5lb'er, have all been blended into 1 final report card of skill. And to measure who has the most, you can put away the scale, because it's no longer about pounds and ounces. It's solely about points. Having the most pounds in any event is a significant accomplishment, but to walk out of the parking lot in September with the most points means you are the best. There are no asterisks next to an AOTY, it cannot be faked, it cannot be stolen, it can only be pursued by many, and won by so few.
....As we all fish this last event of 2009, we are all going to make it to the top of this mountain we started to climb back in February. Many achieving personal goals they set for themselves. Some coming up short, but already looking to 2010 for some payback. We can tell you this, as with every tournament we enter our goal is to win, and it is possible that may happen in this last event. A significant accomplishment for sure, but even as we would be on that stage we know we would be under the shadow of an ever greater accomplishment by a team that day.
Fishin' the Mission 2009, SWBA will name a new team as AOTY. Unlike our president our politicians who are elected solely on promises, our 2009 AOTY will be awarded based on actual performance. Whatever team wins, understand you fished against the very best this sport has to offer, and understand you beat them all.
....Congratulations to the 2009 SWBA Anglers of the Year and from Scott and myself, a high 5, a nod, and 2 final words, “Good Luck”. 
Matt Kobzeff,
Team Killswitch 2008 AOTY.
LEADING INTO THE FINAL EVENT
Top 5 point leaders
Basstards: (Al Miqueliz, Rex McConnell)
572 Points
Perros Viejo: (John Beerling, Doug Crawford)
568 Points
Tourney Kit: (Corey Sanden, Eric Bent)
561 Points
Face down bass up: (Randy Spizer, Matt Florentino)
559 Points
Reel Dangerous: (Joey Dinoso, Tom Baker)
542 Points
