Byline: Mark Taylor

Oct. 9--Kevin VanDam is among the best tournament bass fishermen in history.

And Jeff Freeman bested him while fishing on Pittsburgh's three rivers.

Sort of.

"I feel pretty good because at the Bassmater Classic Kevin VanDam had only 12 pounds in three days of fishing," said Freeman, a 34-year-old police officer from Max Meadows. "I had 13 pounds in three days."

And then Freeman laughs.

It was a different tournament under different conditions.

But for Freeman, his performance on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers near Pittsburgh in late September was a huge step toward his dream of fishing in the Bassmaster Classic.