GARDENDALE, Ala. — Laura Ann Foshee may be the only female on the Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team, but she doesn't let that bother her in any situation.
"High school fishing competition in this state is fierce, and nobody is going to give you a break because you're a girl," said Darrel High, the director of the Auburn University Bass Sports Club. "She knows it and earns those guys' respect with her abilities and her leadership, as well as a tenacious spirit that wants to win and prepares to do just that wherever she goes."
Foshee, who helped found the Gardendale Rockets Bass Fishing Club at her high school, has multiple Top 10 finishes in high school tournaments, but she really shines when it comes to demonstrating leadership in the bass fishing community.
Foshee has been active with the Outdoor Ability Foundation, which helps equip anglers and hunters who have disabilities. She has also volunteered many hours with the Alabama Bass Trail to clean up the Coosa River and to build and deploy fish attractors in the river, and she has donated her time to the annual King's Home Kampfire for the King event.
"I admire her desire to fish in college and her hopes of one day becoming a professional angler so she can introduce more girls to the world of fishing," said Kay Donaldson, program director of the Alabama Bass Trail. "In addition to tournaments, you will find her fishing — night or day — for fun throughout the year."
Foshee also gets accolades from Robin Howell, wife of the 2014 Bassmaster Classic champion, Randy Howell.
"She helps young people who have never had the privilege to fish to learn how," said Robin Howell. "She helps teach them the fundamentals of our sports, and she does it with excellence and kindness. She is definitely an up-and-coming rising star in our industry."
Foshee is one of the 12 anglers who were selected for the inaugural Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team. Members of the team will be paired with a Bassmaster Elite Series pro, June 6, as part of the Zippo BASSfest presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps, and they'll get to fish Lake Barkley in a fun-fishing tournament.