Local High School Promotes Fishing Competition
GONZALES, LA……..The 2nd Annual Louisiana High School Bass Classic is set for March 23, 2013. The tournament is sponsored by Ascension Christian High in Gonzales and students there are working hard to promote fishing as a competitive sport among area high school students.
Ascension Christian High Principal Mark Pellegrin says the Louisiana High School Bass Classic is the first attempt to coordinate a fishing competition among area high school students. Pellegrin says, fishing, like other sports, should be a part of the high school experience. “High schools provide students with competitive sports all year; however, fishing isn’t one of them. I think it’s a great opportunity for schools to encourage students to participate in one of the most competitive sports in Louisiana, fishing,” Pellegrin said. He added that organizing an annual competitive fishing tournament gets young people involved in learning more about the sport and gives youth an opportunity to appreciate the wealth of natural resources in south Louisiana and the importance of conservation.
Wesley Johnson, President of the East Ascension Sportsman’s League, a local non-profit conservation organization, agrees with the whole idea of organizing a tournament among high school students. “The East Ascension Sportsman’s League is excited and honored to be a sponsor of the Louisiana High School Bass Classic. We strive to get our high school kids involved with nature and conservation. We can’t think of a better way of doing that than sponsoring a high school bass tournament,” Johnson said.
Students at Ascension Christian High have been developing plans for the Louisiana High School Bass Classic for several months in preparation for the tournament on March 23, 2013. Student Tournament Director Seth Mangrum, a student at Ascension Christian High, says that this tournament is the only one of its kind. “This tournament gives high school students an opportunity to compete on a level playing field to win cash and prizes. It also gives teenagers an opportunity to enjoy a little friendly competition and bragging rights for their high school,” Mangrum said. “It’s going to be a great tournament as we continue to get more and more schools to participate.”
Tournament entries must be two-member teams and one member must be a high school student. Boats will launch from the Manchac Boat Launch in North Pass, Louisiana. Entry fee is $40 per boat. For more information please contact Ascension Christian High School at 225-622-2800 or Wesley Johnson at (225)324-3035.
2013 Bass Tournament Registration1
