By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—In its first full year, the Henry County High School fishing team is doing exceptionally well. That actually is an understatement, since two of its individual teams have qualified for the National Tournament that will be held at Paris Landing later this summer.
Coach Kandi Ellis said the team “has represented Henry County High School and Henry County well for its first full year and they are looking forward to an even better season next year.”
The full team consists of 15 members, which is divided into eight individual teams.
Ellis said seven of the eight teams fished four tournaments this season and fished the regional qualifier that was held at Birdsong Marina in Camden in March. That performance allowed the seven teams to move on to the state tournament which was held on Old Hickory Lake the first weekend in May, she said.
After each tournament, the teams earned points and at the end, total points were accumulated. In the West Division, spots were allotted for the Nationals and based upon overall performance, two of the high school teams qualified for the Nationals.
Those two teams, represented by Gavin Gordon and Jayce Reddick; and Dylan Smothers and Chance Johnson, will fish the first weekend in August at Paris Landing. Ellis said they will be competing with teams from all over the U.S., as well as some teams from other countries.
Ellis said members of the full team are: Sawyer Williams, Gage Starks; Mercedes Ellis, Shawn Burkhart; Gavin Gordon, Jayce Reddick; Devon Bates, Craig Anderson; Dylan Smothers, Chance Johnson; Briley Williams, Matthew Nanney; Caleb Ferguson, Gage Sherrod; and Hunter Goodman.
Ellis noted that Dylan Smothers also has signed with the nationally-recognized Bethel University Fishing Team.
Menu
