PENNSYLVANIA ’ S CAREY AND KAUFFMAN , KENTUCKY ’ S ALFREY AND COLEMAN TAKE HOME TROPHIES AT HIGH SCHOOL FISHING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND WORLD FINALS
THE BASS FEDERATION By Mitchell Forde
PENNSYLVANIA ’ S CAREY AND KAUFFMAN , KENTUCKY ’ S ALFREY AND COLEMAN TAKE HOME TROPHIES AT HIGH SCHOOL FISHING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND WORLD FINALS
437 teams vied for more than $ 3 million in scholarships and prizes on Lake Hartwell
From June 19-22 , the top high school anglers from across the country converged on one of the nation ’ s most famous tournament fisheries , South Carolina ’ s Lake Hartwell , for the pinnacle of the high school fishing season .
For the eighth year in a row , the Abu Garcia High School Fishing National Championship was held concurrently with the Student Angler Federation ’ s World Finals . Despite warm weather , Hartwell ’ s healthy bass population showed out , and the unique , dual-event format again attracted a huge turnout and delivered high drama during weigh-ins .
The Pennsylvania duo of Trent Carey and Josh Kauffman triumphed in the three-day National Championship . Then , after weights were zeroed , Kentuckians Bryce Alfrey and Elijah Coleman prevailed in a thrilling final day of the World Finals
CAREY , KAUFFMAN CLOSED OUT HIGH SCHOOL CAREERS ON TOP
On one hand , Carey and Kauffman knew how difficult it would be to best a 249-boat National Championship field . As Carey said on the weigh-in stage , “ that just doesn ’ t happen ; you don ’ t get these opportunities .”
Yet , as the recently graduated seniors made the drive south to Lake Hartwell , they had a feeling they could contend for the crown .
Carey and Kauffman not only pulled it off but did so in fairly convincing fashion . The duo sat second after Day 1 , moved into the lead on Day 2 and slammed the door with a three-bass limit weighing 9 pounds , 3 ounces on Day 3 . That brought their total to 29-15 , 1-4 ahead of Lanier High School ’ s Angel Cornejo and Bryson Dover and more than 3 pounds clear of three other Georgia duos .
For the win , Carey and Kauffman earned $ 5,000 apiece in scholarship
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