2015 High School All-American: Ryan Wood

Ryan Wood loves to spend time on the water — not just fishing, but also cleaning up lakes, adding structure and teaching kids how to cast.

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — Ryan Wood loves to spend time on the water — not just fishing, but also cleaning up lakes, adding structure and teaching kids how to cast.

Wood, a junior at Legacy High School in Colorado, has several bass tournament wins to his credit, including the Junior Bassmaster Western Divisional and the Junior Bassmaster World Championship in 2013, and an adult tournament with the Denver Bassmasters and a team tournament in 2014.

But he's also won several accolades off the water, most notably the Costa Bright Future Scholarship, which awards college funds for excellence on and off the water. Wood is a member of the National Honor Society and the Ignite Youth Group Leadership, and he was awarded a conservation grant on behalf of his high school club and the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife to refurbish and add structure to a local pond.

"While not one to brag about himself or his accomplishments, Ryan has brought a great deal of awareness about the sport of bass fishing to Legacy High School," said Wood's principal, Lee Peters.

"We were able to recognize him at an all-school assembly for his world championship," Peters continued. "Ryan has also teamed with other Legacy students to compete in fishing contests in Colorado."

Wood helped the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife assess the aquatic health of lakes, ponds and streams, taught children at Bass Pro Shops how to fish, and assisted at a recent kids fishing derby.

Wood has also volunteered his time to other non-fishing-related causes, such as working with homeless people, providing school supplies to local children who need them, and helping to build a church in Jamaica.

He is among the 12 anglers who were selected to join the first Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team. He will fish with a Bassmaster Elite Series pro during the Zippo BASSfest presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps on Lake Barkley in Tennessee, June 6.