Chapel Hill, N.C. — College and prep anglers competed in the first Collegiate/High School Team Tournament hosted by the North Carolina State University Basspack Oct. 14 on Jordan Lake.
The unique open tournament featured two-man teams of a college angler paired with a high school angler. “The tournament met and exceeded our goals as a club,” said Tripp Norris, N.C. State Basspack’s publicity director. “We had 25 boats come out and had a phenomenal weigh-in overall. I know for sure a lot of knowledge and passion for the sport was passed on.”
The tournament was deemed a success by Jeff Narron, a North Carolina B.A.S.S. Nation member who helped coordinate the event. “It was really exciting to see the engagement among the anglers, regardless of high school or college status. We think that we may have made enough of an impact to increase the interest in coming years to make this an annual event.”
Nearly $4,000 in prizes of fishing related products were awarded to the competitors. “For only a first-year event, the total value in prizes was amazing,” Narron said.
N.C. Basspack anglers who teamed up with high school anglers in the tournament were Will Monti, Jonathan West, Chase Owens, Hunter Whitman, Mitchell Lance, Gilliam Tharpe, Hunter Taylor, Kolby Clark, James Petitgout, Jonathan Lanier, Austin Robinson, Michael Donaldson, Zach Bodford, Josh Lemons, Michael Ward and Norris.
Whitman and Luke Rasberry of Green Center High School won the tournament with a five-bass limit weighing 18.17 pounds. Ben Hager of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and Green City High angler William Mills took second with a 17.60 limit.
N.C. Basspack team members assisting with the tournament were Dan Cusick, Sam McLamb, Josh Frederick, Jeb Britt, Kelly McGregor, Parker Davison, Mitchell Bowen, Aaron Nault, Jared Lamb and Nathan Davis.
