LA CROSSE - Chris Johnston has joined a very elite group.

Johnston, of Peterborough, Ont., cemented a second straight Elite Series overall title Saturday. The Canadian reeled in a five-fish limit weighing 13 pounds, seven ounces to finish the season-ending tournament on the Mississippi River in 19th spot (15 fish, 43 pounds).

A top-10 standing Saturday would've qualified Johnston for Sunday's tournament final. But the 19th-place effort gave Johnston 776 points on the season, eight more than American Trey McKinney, who finished 27th (41 pounds, nine ounces) after sitting in 50th spot following second-round action Friday.

"I don't even know what to say, to be honest," Johnston said. "This river has stressed me out to no end this week.

"I did not have a good practice and I was a mess out

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