April 17, 2011 (Wheeler Lake, AL) – The Vernon High School Bulldogs were represented well by their high school team, Kophen Sudduth and Dillon Tucker at the first ever 2011 SAF Alabama High School Fishing State Championship held on Wheeler Lake near Decatur, Alabama.
The team brought in 14.01 lbs to be crowned the Alabama State Champions, and gives them the opportunity to fish in the regional event to be held in the fall! The second place team was from Gardendale High School, Mathew Oliver and Mitchell Cousins weighed their catch in at 13.07, just a pound shy of the champs. Third place, of Florence High School, Adam Neil and Evan Horne weren’t too far behind at 11.42 lbs! The top 3 teams walked away with some great prizes, trophies and a great experience, plus a chance to fish in the 2011 High School Fishing World Finals in July!
The state champions will also advance to an FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing Regional Championship held in conjunction with a National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championship hosted on a college campus this fall. They will receive travel allowances to help offset expenses and use of a Ranger boat for the event. The winners from each regional will advance to the FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing National Championship held on a college campus in conjunction with the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2012. National Champions will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to use at the university of their choice.
Each team that competed is now qualified to enter the 2011 High School Fishing World Finals held in July in Russellville, Ark., with no entry fees. Information on this prestigious event can be found online at www.highschoolfishing.org. Also, every team completed the free online quiz to become a Certified Student Angler regarding boater safety, invasive species and angler ethics. Each angler was given a completion certificate and a sticker to display, that made them eligible for contingency awards. Visit www.highschoolfishing.org, for more information and to find a High School State Championship near you.
