GREENVILLE, S.C. — Although the main show in Greenville will be the much-anticipated 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, there will be another event going on that you will not want to miss: the 2015 Bassmaster High School Classic.
Competitors from area high schools will compete on Lake Keowee, Feb. 21, for the chance to win the coveted High School Classic trophy.
“With the success we have had with the College Classic, we knew the High School Classic would be just as strong,” said Hank Weldon, youth director at B.A.S.S. “This is only the second year of the high school event, and it’s only going to get bigger and better.”
For two competitors, the trip to the Classic isn’t only for the competition. While in Greenville, Christopher Bensel and Carter McNeil will be signing scholarships to attend Bethel University.
Jacob Mashburn and Jake Lee of Clinton High School in Tennessee will be on hand to defend their title from last year, when they won by more than 7 pounds. Carter McNeil and Tucker Smith of Abbeville High School qualified by winning the South Carolina B.A.S.S. Nation High School Championship. The remaining eight teams qualified through the 2014 Bassmaster High School Open.
The anglers will take off from South Cove Park in Seneca at 7 a.m., Feb. 21. After their day of fishing is complete, they’ll weigh in on the Bassmaster Classic stage, right before the Classic contenders come across the stage. The weigh-in will be broadcast live on Bassmaster.com.
Here is the list of contenders in the second annual Bassmaster High School Classic:
Jacob Mashburn and Jake Lee, Clinton High School, Tennessee
Andrew Mitchell and Christopher Bensel, Dixie High School, South Carolina
Kyle Ingleburger and Kyle Palmer, GCHS, Tennessee
Christian Warren and Matt Brown, Corbin High School, Kentucky
Carter McNeil and Tucker Smith, Abbeville High School, South Carolina
Chris Moody and Noah Pescitelli, Mill Creek High School, Georgia
Cole Noffsinger and Hunter Hampton, Muhlenberg County High School, Kentucky
Craig Wilson and Trevor St. John, Campbell County High School, Tennessee
Hunter Silverstrim and Nathaniel Burris, Queen City High School, Tennessee
Caden Watson and Cole Sands, Walker Valley High School, Tennessee
Competitors will go out in pairs with a coach who will drive the boat. The coach is not permitted to assist the competitors in any way except during designated break times.
