Ballinger Brothers win Kentucky SAF State Championship and Scholarship to Bryan College

 

KY-Lew's-BBCaleb and Cole Ballinger from Rockcastle County High School outlasted a 130 boat field and morning temperatures in the high 20’s to win the Kentucky SAF State Championship at Conley Bottom Marina on Lake Cumberland. The pair brought in a five fish limit the weighed 16lbs 6oz and it included the day’s biggest bass a 7lb 10oz beauty to advance on to the Southeastern Conference Regional Championship, which will also be held on lake Cumberland in September. The top 13 teams advanced in an event that will pit anglers from 8 surrounding States in an attempt to qualify for next springs High School National Championship

“We caught our fish today slow rolling an Alabama Rig in around 15’ of water,” Caleb, who is a Junior for the Rockets, stated. “We started out trying to fish shallow water and we caught a few fish but they were all small. So, we moved out to deeper water fishing rock bluffs and ledges” Cole, a freshman, added. When asked what the key to their success was they both responded by saying their ability to adapt to the days conditions.

In addition to advancing on the pair also claimed a $10,000 college scholarship to Bryan College in Dayton Tennessee for their winning effort. “What a great event for us to be a part of,” offered Bryan College coach, Michael Keen. “This is a beautiful lake and a very nice marina complex. Combine that with a terrific crowd and it made for a perfect day.”

Narrowly missing the championship spot was the team of Hunter Sumpter and Eli Cook from Southwestern High School who also had a limit that weighed 16lbs 3oz to claim the runner-up spot. Kyler Petrey and Logan Martin from South Laurel High School finished third with15lb 15oz on their limit of bass. They slipped in ahead of James Burton and Don Curtis from Pulaski County High School who  had 13lb 8oz to finish 4th.

KY-Runnerup Ky-3rd

The remainder of the regional qualifiers include Dakota Bishop and Trevor Sweet also from Rockcastle who finished 5th. Matthew Roberts and Richard Cornett from Perry County High School finished in 6th to advance as well.  Jace Hammonds and Elijah Thompson from Burgin High School claimed the number 7 spot and Marcus Davis and his partner Noah Metzeger finished in 8th place.

Rounding out spots 9 through 13 were Morgan and Logan Miracle from Garrard County, Will Blankenship and Brandon Huntzinger from Madison Central, Nathan Marshall and Braxton Lamb from East Jessamine, Jeremy and Jordan Elliott from Corbin and Austin Turner and Lucas Powell from South Laurel High School.

KY-Qualifiers KY-Booyah-Certified-Angler

 

Special thanks to the Shimano Experience team who participated in both registration and the weigh-in festivities and the staff at Conley Bottom Resort who served as host for the anglers for the weekend.

 

For full results click HERE!

2016 New Hampshire High School State Championship May 14 on Connecticut River

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PONCA CITY, Okla. (April 7, 2016) – The Bass Federation (TBF), with our “Partner in Fishing” at FLW, announces the 2016 Student Angler Federation (SAF) New Hampshire High School State Championship on Saturday, May 14 at the Norms Marina near Hinsdale, NH.

The state championship is a two person event for students in grades 9-12. Each team can have one member in 7th or 8th grade, if needed. All teams should pre-register online for high school events at HighSchoolFishing.org to avoid onsite late fees. Each team and their “coach,” who provides the boat they compete in, will need to check in at 6am EST on May 14 at the Norms Marina. A rules briefing will immediately follow. Take off is at 7am and the weigh-in will begin at 3pm.

“TBF and our partners in fishing at FLW are the only organizations to offer a state championship in every state and Canada,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, stated. “There’s no question our State Championship Series provides the foundation to make SAF the largest high school fishing organization in North America.”

The top 10% of each 2016 State Championship event advances to a FLW/TBF Conference Regional Championship. The top 10% from the Conference Regional events advance to the FLW/TBF High School National Championship to compete for the top team prize of a $10,000 scholarship. As an added bonus, national championship teams will compete out of new Ranger Boats provided for them, along with paid hotel accommodations and other perks. The final day weigh-in will take place on the FLW main stage in front of a live FLW Tour stop!

Go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation and to sign up for events. If you’re not a 2016 SAF member, annual cost is $25 year. Pay in advance or register for an event online and pay then. There are no entry fees as long as you enter your active/paid SAF membership number at the time of registration!
SAF membership includes full TBF and FLW competitor membership benefits, FLW Magazine e- Edition, online training programs and full insurance coverage for clubs, officers and student members.

In addition to State Championships, SAF National OPENs and other events held across the nation will advance the top 3 teams to their Conference Regional Championships. All SAF members automatically qualify to compete in the pinnacle of all high school events, the 2016 High School Fishing World Finals for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes each year. The World Finals format allows anglers to test their skills against high school anglers from across the nation at a week-long family vacation event, which will be held in Florence, Alabama on Pickwick Reservoir, June 28-July 2. This no entry fee, come one, come all mega event gives every high school team a shot at the sports top prizes and honors.

State Championship Event Details:

Sign-up: Pre-register online at HighSchoolFishing.org or a $25 late registration fee can apply to those registering onsite. The best way is to pre-register online at highschoolfishing.org. Just enter your active SAF membership number during online SAF event registration.

Mandatory Check-in: Saturday, May 14 at 6am at the Norms Marina near Hinsdale, NH.

Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, May 14 at Norms Marina. Take-off at 7am with weigh-in at 3pm. Questions? 580-765-9031

Tournament Waters: Connecticut River

About FLW: FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2015 over the course of 240 tournaments across five tournament circuits, four of which provide an avenue to the sport’s richest payday and most coveted championship trophy – the Forrest Wood Cup. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world. For more information about FLW visit FLWFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

About The Bass Federation: The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. TBF is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. The Federation is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing, youth and conservation organization there is. TBF, our affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 events each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 45 years. TBF founded the Student Angler Federation and the National High School Fishing program in 2007 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org and “LIKE US” on facebook!

2016 Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut Tri-State High School Championship May 14 on Whitehall Reservoir

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PONCA CITY, Okla. (April 6, 2016) – The Bass Federation (TBF), with our “Partner in Fishing” at FLW, announces the 2016 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut Tri-State High School Championship on Saturday, May 14 at the State Boat Ramp at Whitehall Reservoir near Hopkinton, MA.

The state championship is a two person event for students in grades 9-12. Each team can have one member in 7th or 8th grade, if needed. All teams should pre-register online for high school events at HighSchoolFishing.org to avoid onsite late fees. Each team and their “coach,” who provides the boat they compete in, will need to check in at 6am EST on May 14 at the state boat ramp at Whitehall Reservoir. A rules briefing will immediately follow. Take off is at 7am and the weigh-in will begin at 2pm.

“TBF and our partners in fishing at FLW are the only organizations to offer a state championship in every state and Canada,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, stated. “There’s no question our State Championship Series provides the foundation to make SAF the largest high school fishing organization in North America.”

The top 10% of each 2016 State Championship event advances to a FLW/TBF Conference Regional Championship. The top 10% from the Conference Regional events advance to the FLW/TBF High School National Championship to compete for the top team prize of a $10,000 scholarship. As an added bonus, national championship teams will compete out of new Ranger Boats provided for them, along with paid hotel accommodations and other perks. The final day weigh-in will take place on the FLW main stage in front of a live FLW Tour stop!

Go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation and to sign up for events. If you’re not a 2016 SAF member, annual cost is $25 year. Pay in advance or register for an event online and pay then. There are no entry fees as long as you enter your active/paid SAF membership number at the time of registration!
SAF membership includes full TBF and FLW competitor membership benefits, FLW Magazine e- Edition, online training programs and full insurance coverage for clubs, officers and student members.

In addition to State Championships, SAF National OPENs and other events held across the nation will advance the top 3 teams to their Conference Regional Championships. All SAF members automatically qualify to compete in the pinnacle of all high school events, the 2016 High School Fishing World Finals for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes each year. The World Finals format allows anglers to test their skills against high school anglers from across the nation at a week-long family vacation event, which will be held in Florence, Alabama on Pickwick Reservoir, June 28-July 2. This no entry fee, come one, come all mega event gives every high school team a shot at the sports top prizes and honors.

State Championship Event Details:

Sign-up: Pre-register online at HighSchoolFishing.org or a $25 late registration fee can apply to those registering onsite. The best way is to pre-register online at highschoolfishing.org. Just enter your active SAF membership number during online SAF event registration.

Mandatory Check-in: Saturday, May 14 at 6am at the state boat ramp at Whitehall Reservoir near Hopkinton, MA.

Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, May 14 at state boat ramp at Whitehall Reservoir. Take-off at 7am with weigh-in at 2pm. Questions? 580-765-9031

Tournament Waters: Whitehall Reservoir

About FLW: FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2015 over the course of 240 tournaments across five tournament circuits, four of which provide an avenue to the sport’s richest payday and most coveted championship trophy – the Forrest Wood Cup. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world. For more information about FLW visit FLWFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

About The Bass Federation: The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. TBF is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. The Federation is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing, youth and conservation organization there is. TBF, our affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 events each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 45 years. TBF founded the Student Angler Federation and the National High School Fishing program in 2007 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org and “LIKE US” on facebook!