CONCORD, N.H. -- An exciting new high school sports competition - a student bass fishing tournament - took place in New Hampshire yesterday, and from the looks of pride on the kids' faces, the day was a big success. This year, 136 students from 44 New Hampshire schools took part.
The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) conducted the event, with assistance from the N.H. Fish and Game Department, on May 9, 2013, at Lee's Mills in Moultonborough, NH on Lake Winnipesaukee. This year's event was a trial tournament (therefore limited in scope), as the NHIAA and schools prepare for full implementation during the 2013-2014 academic year.
Individual medals were awarded for the largest total catch (four fish maximum) and for the largest largemouth and largest smallmouth bass caught.
The event included a strong educational component. Teams had adult mentors who guided them through the process of learning about New Hampshire's aquatic resources and the responsibility that goes along with being anglers.
"We are excited that scholastic sports and the angling community came together to create this opportunity for students to set the foundation for a lifelong outdoor activity," said Karina Walsh, who coordinates the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's Let's Go Fishing Program. Walsh and N.H. Fish and Game Fisheries Biologist Gabe Gries served on the NHIAA Bass Fishing Committee and provided logistical and volunteer support for this event.
Additional information about the tournament can be found on the NHIAA website at nhiaa.org.
The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association is a private not for profit organization that has served as the leader of high school athletics for its member schools in New Hampshire since 1947. The student bass fishing tournament is in keeping with the NHIAA goals of adding sports that will have lifelong appeal to student athletes and providing more sports that are coed and inclusive to all populations within our schools.
Taken from the NH Fish and Game Website
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