Day 2 of High School World Finals, Walker Brothers Continue to Pace the Field
As in anything in life, to be a world champion is not an easy task, you have to preform every time and every day. One mistake, one missed step, missed shot or missed hook set, could cost you the title. World Champions give it there all every day, every time, with no excuses.
Hardin County High School anglers Cort and Cole Walker are on a World Championship pace as they brought in another solid limit of Pickwick Bass today and continue to lead the field in the 2016 High School World Finals at McFarland Park in Florence Alabama. Their 5 fish limit of 15lb 5oz gave them a two day total of 41 lbs. 12 oz. which sets them solidly atop the 184 boat field. That weight advances them into tomorrow’s semi-final round which takes off at 5:30am tomorrow (Friday) morning.
In the High School Fishing World Finals format the top two teams from each state after the initial two days move into the semi-final round while all the other competitors continue to compete as well in a second chance consolation round. At the end of the day tomorrow the top ten semi-final weights will automatically advance to Saturday’s Final round. There they will be joined by the next ten heaviest weights which could come from the semi-final or the consolation round. The weights are zeroed before tomorrow’s action starts so it is still anybody’s game.
Moving up the leader board on day two was another Tennessee duo as Dylan Dunnagan and Caleb Baggett brought in a very nice 22lb 5oz limit of fish to spring into the runner-up spot overall and claim the second semi-final berth for Tennessee. Their two day total of 35lb 12oz has them second overall as well.
Nick Wynne and Kile Baker from Alabama also made a big move day as they brought limit that proved to be the day’s heaviest bag at 23lb 12oz. They claimed a semi-final round qualifying spot and a good confidence builder with a total weight of 33lb 13oz.
Zane Loveday and Quinton Dorough from the Chelsea High School Hornet Fishing team stayed very consistent with their effort. After catching 15lb 8oz on day one they came right back with a 16lb 12 oz effort today to wrap up the second qualifying spot in the semi-final round and fourth overall with their two day total of 32lb 4oz.
Rounding out the top five after the two day slug fest was the team of Hunter Muncrief and Landen McCary from West Sabine Texas. They also remained consistent with their 15lb 12oz bag and a two day total of 31lb 13oz. They also advanced in to the semi-final round as the top team from Texas.
Friday is what National Youth Director Mark Gintert calls “Judgement Day” Gintert went on to explain it this way . “This format gives all the competitors from every state a great opportunity to spend two equal days on the water. But regardless of whether you have advanced to the semi-final or are fishing in the consolation round, Friday is the day that you absolutely must catch fish to advance to Saturday’s Final round”!
Day three action begins at 5:30am at McFarland Park with the consolation round weigh-in starting at 1:00pm and the Semi-Final Round action starting at 2:30pm.
