PONCA CITY, Okla. (March 28th, 2016) – The Bass Federation (TBF), with our “Partner in Fishing” at FLW, announces the 2016 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Ohio High School State Championship on Saturday, May 7 at the Alum Creek State Park near Columbus, OH.
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 5:30pm-7pm EST on May 6 at the Cabela’s, Columbus. A rules briefing will immediately follow. Take off is at 6:30am and the weigh-in will begin at 2:30pm.
“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.
Ohio State Championship 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: Friday, May 6 at 5:30pm-7pm at the Cabela’s, Columbus near Columbus, OH.
Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, May 7 at Alum Creek State Park. Take-off at 6:30am with weigh-in at 2:30pm. Questions? 580-765-9031
Tournament Waters: Alum Creek Lake
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!
Following a day of hard wind and morning takeoff temperatures in the 20’s, Chad Mauck and Jarod Wampner from Tipton High School put together a solid limit weighing 18lbs 5oz. The pair battled a very tough Patoka Lake in South Central Indiana to win the 2016 Indiana High School State Championship.
Finishing in second was Hunter Schnieder and William Halbig from Lawrenceburg High School with four Patoka Lake beauties, including the 6lb 4oz lunker that anchored their 14lb 7oz sack, the runner-up position, and a slot at the Regional event. Also advancing, was the third place team of Austin Tinsman and Evan Patterson from Union High School who had a limit that tipped in at 13lbs 8oz. They narrowly slipped by the fourth place team of Blake Albertson and Adam Puckett from Bloomington South High School with 13lbs 7oz.
Special thanks go out to the Dubois County Tourism group and the BFL Staff who provided the weigh-in trailer and equipment for the day’s event.
