Mason, Wood win Colorado championship

Turner Mason and Ryan Wood of the Front Range Bass Club won the Colorado B.A.S.S. Nation High School State Championship, Aug. 23, on Horsetooth Reservoir.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Turner Mason and Ryan Wood of the Front Range Bass Club successfully defended their title and won the Colorado B.A.S.S. Nation High School State Championship, Aug. 23, on Horsetooth Reservoir. They are now back-to-back winners of the state championship.

“The water at Horsetooth Reservoir had dropped more than 6 feet during the week prior,” said Curtis Wood, a member of the Colorado B.A.S.S. Nation, “leading to widely scattered fish and tough fishing conditions.

“Even so, every team was able to bring fish to the weigh in, including several limits,” continued Wood. “The Top 2 teams located enough quality smallmouth to rise to the top of the field and qualify for the 2016 Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship.”

The second-place team of Colton Colwell and Hunter Brady of the Windsor Wizards Bass Club, along with coach Jeff Colwell, will be making their first appearance in the national championship.

Winners Mason and Wood will be making their second straight trip to the championship as a team, along with their coach, Chad LaChance. This appearance will be the third consecutive for Wood.

“After a disappointing finish in the 2015 national championship, the Front Range team and their coach are excited to get back on the big stage and find some redemption,” said Curtis Wood.