LENOIR CITY, Tenn. — Austin Winter is getting prepped for a dual career as a wildlife officer and a professional angler.
The Lenoir City High School junior is also one of only 12 anglers selected for the 2016 Bassmaster High School All-American team.
Winter’s volunteer work with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is preparing him for his plans to study wildlife, fisheries and biology when he gets to college. And when he’s not near the water picking up litter for the TWRA, he’s either on the water fishing or off the water reading about fishing.
“Austin is on the lake fishing any free time he has,” said his father, Sam Winter. “He spends time each night reading through fishing magazines and online articles, taking notes and studying the information he will put to use on the water.”
It’s paid off, too, in the form of four bass tournament wins in the past year and four Top 5 finishes.
Winter has taken on the role of treasurer in his high school bass club, in addition to other volunteer positions, including boat setup and cleaning at the East Tennessee Boat and Fishing Show, helping at the Kids Fishing Rodeo and assisting in activities with the residents at a local nursing home.
“His character and reputation are above reproach,” wrote Dr. Ronny Jones, Winter’s fishing coach and longtime fishing partner. “He is an asset to our church, his school and our club.”
Keep up with the High School All-American program at Bassmaster.com/AllAmerican.
