Hurley Bass Fishing Team Wins Mid-West Shootout Championship
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September 13, 2018
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Jaden Hicks, left, and Evan Springer, right, hold up their winning catch from this weekend’s Mid-West Shootout on Table Rock Lake. The boys weighed in 13.79 pounds to come in first place at the tournament.
Isaac Estes-Jones
The Hurley Bass Fishing team consisting of senior Jaden Hicks and sophomore Evan Springer finished first place at the final tournament for the inaugural fishing season for the school. The boys both received $1,250 scholarships and other prizes for weighing in the four biggest bass on Sunday, September 9, during the National Youth Fishing Association (NYFA)/Teen Anglers Mid-West Shootout on Table Rock Lake.
140 teams qualified to enter the event, coming from Missouri and Illinois, representing, according to NYFA, the best of the best in the four state area. A second team from Hurley, Chase Simpson and Austin Jackson, also competed and finished in the top 20, according to Alan Conrad, Hurley Bass Fishing Team director.
Weigh-in for the tournament was held at the Table Rock State Park Marina and the event was in conjunction with Bass Pro’s Outdoor Days.
“These kids put in a lot of time and effort,” Conrad said. “It couldn’t have happened to better kids.”
“If you just do this one time a month, you’re not going to do well. You’ve gotta practice, and these boys did,” he said.
In addition to the scholarships, Hicks and Evans received big buckets of fishing supplies, including tackle and boat oil, among other things.
The Mid-West Shootout has a four fish limit, and the team of Hicks and Evans weighed in a combined 13.79 pounds. They also had the second largest bass of the event, weighing in at 4.47 pounds. “These guys did a really great job and are great kids,” Conrad said. Simpson and Jackson had a total weight of around 9 pounds.
For high school bass fishing, each team of two has to have a boat pilot. Travis Springer, Evan’s father, was the pilot for Jaden and Evan at the shootout. John Jackson piloted the boat for Chase Simpson and Austin Jackson on Sunday.
With this tournament, the first year for Hurley’s Bass Fishing team comes to an end. “I’m proud of all the kids accomplished this year,” Conrad said, “And now we are getting ready to start a new year. There are already lots of students interested.”
Last year, Hurley had 12 students stick with the program, for a total of 6 teams. This year, based on current interest, Conrad thinks there could be 18 to 20 or more. The school holds participants of the fishing program to the same academic and behavior standards of achievement as other sports.
“We are also starting a junior high program this year,” he said. “We have lots of good things in store and we’re looking forward to another great year. On behalf of all the kids,” Conrad said, “I’d like to thank all of the sponsors, the school, the captains, family members and everyone else who suppored the team this year.”
The team is already actively engaged in fundraising for the 2019 year. They will be working several concession stands this fall and spring. They will also be raffling off a rod and reel combo that was donated to the team, along with other supplies that have been donated. To get involved or to donate, contact Alan Conrad at Hurley R-I Schools.
Additional information provided by Darlene Daugherty.
The Hurley Bass Fishing team consisting of senior Jaden Hicks and sophomore Evan Springer finished first place at the final tournament for the inaugural fishing season for the school. The boys both received $1,250 scholarships and other prizes for weighing in the four biggest bass on Sunday, September 9, during the National Youth Fishing Association (NYFA)/Teen Anglers Mid-West Shootout on Table Rock Lake.
140 teams qualified to enter the event, coming from Missouri and Illinois, representing, according to NYFA, the best of the best in the four state area. A second team from Hurley, Chase Simpson and Austin Jackson, also competed and finished in the top 20, according to Alan Conrad, Hurley Bass Fishing Team director.
Weigh-in for the tournament was held at the Table Rock State Park Marina and the event was in conjunction with Bass Pro’s Outdoor Days.
“These kids put in a lot of time and effort,” Conrad said. “It couldn’t have happened to better kids.”
“If you just do this one time a month, you’re not going to do well. You’ve gotta practice, and these boys did,” he said.
In addition to the scholarships, Hicks and Evans received big buckets of fishing supplies, including tackle and boat oil, among other things.
The Mid-West Shootout has a four fish limit, and the team of Hicks and Evans weighed in a combined 13.79 pounds. They also had the second largest bass of the event, weighing in at 4.47 pounds. “These guys did a really great job and are great kids,” Conrad said. Simpson and Jackson had a total weight of around 9 pounds.
For high school bass fishing, each team of two has to have a boat pilot. Travis Springer, Evan’s father, was the pilot for Jaden and Evan at the shootout. John Jackson piloted the boat for Chase Simpson and Austin Jackson on Sunday.
With this tournament, the first year for Hurley’s Bass Fishing team comes to an end. “I’m proud of all the kids accomplished this year,” Conrad said, “And now we are getting ready to start a new year. There are already lots of students interested.”
Last year, Hurley had 12 students stick with the program, for a total of 6 teams. This year, based on current interest, Conrad thinks there could be 18 to 20 or more. The school holds participants of the fishing program to the same academic and behavior standards of achievement as other sports.
“We are also starting a junior high program this year,” he said. “We have lots of good things in store and we’re looking forward to another great year. On behalf of all the kids,” Conrad said, “I’d like to thank all of the sponsors, the school, the captains, family members and everyone else who suppored the team this year.”
The team is already actively engaged in fundraising for the 2019 year. They will be working several concession stands this fall and spring. They will also be raffling off a rod and reel combo that was donated to the team, along with other supplies that have been donated. To get involved or to donate, contact Alan Conrad at Hurley R-I Schools.
Additional information provided by Darlene Daugherty.