High School All-American banquet

Twelve high school anglers from across the country traveled to Lake Barkley to compete alongside an Elite Series pro as part of the 2015 Bassmaster High School All-American team.

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Before the members of the 2015 Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team were invited into the reception ...
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Before the members of the 2015 Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team were invited into the reception ...
... gifts were set out for them from Yamaha ...
Photo: Gary Tramontina - ... gifts were set out for them from Yamaha ...
... and Berkley.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - ... and Berkley.
Each competitor on the team also received a personalize plaque, a jersey courtesy of Mercury and a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Each competitor on the team also received a personalize plaque, a jersey courtesy of Mercury and a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses.
The pros who are going to take them out on the water met first, to get a rundown of how the day will go.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - The pros who are going to take them out on the water met first, to get a rundown of how the day will go.
Hank Weldon, B.A.S.S. youth manager, thanked the pros for volunteering their time to spend with the young anglers.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Hank Weldon, B.A.S.S. youth manager, thanked the pros for volunteering their time to spend with the young anglers.
Laura Ann Foshee of Alabama was the first angler to come into the room and see the gifts.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Laura Ann Foshee of Alabama was the first angler to come into the room and see the gifts.
The Berkley bags were packed with soft plastics they can use on Lake Barkley tomorrow.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - The Berkley bags were packed with soft plastics they can use on Lake Barkley tomorrow.
The rest of the anglers filed in.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - The rest of the anglers filed in.
Julius Mazy drove in from Arizona and has been practicing on Barkley for four days.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Julius Mazy drove in from Arizona and has been practicing on Barkley for four days.
Dillon Harrell of Texas is greeted by Weldon.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Dillon Harrell of Texas is greeted by Weldon.
Weldon talks with Missouri angler Joe Grafeman and his family.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Weldon talks with Missouri angler Joe Grafeman and his family.
Trevor Yates came to Tennessee from Oklahoma.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Trevor Yates came to Tennessee from Oklahoma.
Jared Penton of Texas traveled with his dad and fishing coach to Barkley.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Jared Penton of Texas traveled with his dad and fishing coach to Barkley.
The young anglers visited with the pros ...
Photo: Gary Tramontina - The young anglers visited with the pros ...
... with their gifts in the background.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - ... with their gifts in the background.
Mark Menendez talks with the two families from Alabama.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Mark Menendez talks with the two families from Alabama.
Kurt Dove and Bill Lowen chat at a table with Minnesota's Nick Montilino.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Kurt Dove and Bill Lowen chat at a table with Minnesota's Nick Montilino.
Keith Poche talks with Dillon Harrell of Texas.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Keith Poche talks with Dillon Harrell of Texas.
Cliff Crochet entertains the Yates family.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Cliff Crochet entertains the Yates family.
Hank Weldon welcomes everyone to the banquet.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Hank Weldon welcomes everyone to the banquet.
James Hall, editor of Bassmaster Magazine, thanked the pros and the high schoolers for coming ...
Photo: Gary Tramontina - James Hall, editor of Bassmaster Magazine, thanked the pros and the high schoolers for coming ...
... and talked about how inspiring it was to have so many great candidates nominated for this program in its inaugural year.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - ... and talked about how inspiring it was to have so many great candidates nominated for this program in its inaugural year.
Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation, gave the anglers a rundown of the day on the water.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation, gave the anglers a rundown of the day on the water.
The competitors will take off at 8 a.m. from Lick Creek Recreation Area ...
Photo: Gary Tramontina - The competitors will take off at 8 a.m. from Lick Creek Recreation Area ...
... and they'll check in at 1 p.m.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - ... and they'll check in at 1 p.m.
The high schoolers will bring their biggest three fish, and the pros will bring their biggest two, to the scales for a combined limit.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - The high schoolers will bring their biggest three fish, and the pros will bring their biggest two, to the scales for a combined limit.
All of them will weigh in on the Elite Series stage on Saturday.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - All of them will weigh in on the Elite Series stage on Saturday.
Stewart presents the gifts to the anglers.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Stewart presents the gifts to the anglers.
Laura Ann Foshee of Alabama will go out on the water with Bill Lowen.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Laura Ann Foshee of Alabama will go out on the water with Bill Lowen.
Zeke Gossett of Alabama accepts his jersey, Toyota hat, Carhartt shirts, plaque and Costa sunglasses.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Zeke Gossett of Alabama accepts his jersey, Toyota hat, Carhartt shirts, plaque and Costa sunglasses.
Joe Grafeman of Missouri picks up his gifts.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Joe Grafeman of Missouri picks up his gifts.
Stewart congratulates Harrell on his selection.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Stewart congratulates Harrell on his selection.
Harrell was chosen from among a very tough field of competitors in Texas.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Harrell was chosen from among a very tough field of competitors in Texas.
Jake Lee had the shortest commute. He lives in Tennessee.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Jake Lee had the shortest commute. He lives in Tennessee.
Julius Mazy had the longest commute, from Arizona.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Julius Mazy had the longest commute, from Arizona.
Mazy will be going out on the boat with Australian Carl Jocumsen tomorrow.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Mazy will be going out on the boat with Australian Carl Jocumsen tomorrow.
Carter McNeil represents South Carolina.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Carter McNeil represents South Carolina.
Nick Montilino drove 12 hours with his father from Minnesota.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Nick Montilino drove 12 hours with his father from Minnesota.
Jared Penton is going out on Barkley with reigning Classic champ Casey Ashley.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Jared Penton is going out on Barkley with reigning Classic champ Casey Ashley.
Cam Sterritt of New Hampshire is the only representative from the Northeast.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Cam Sterritt of New Hampshire is the only representative from the Northeast.
Ryan Wood of Colorado will go out with pro Kevin Ledoux.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Ryan Wood of Colorado will go out with pro Kevin Ledoux.
Trevor Yates is the final All-American to get his gifts ...
Photo: Gary Tramontina - Trevor Yates is the final All-American to get his gifts ...
... but he was the first to draw his pro's name out of a hat. He'll be going with veteran pro Gary Klein.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - ... but he was the first to draw his pro's name out of a hat. He'll be going with veteran pro Gary Klein.
One last photo for the family ...
Photo: Gary Tramontina - One last photo for the family ...
... and all the All-Americans stand as they are recognized for their accomplishment.
Photo: Gary Tramontina - ... and all the All-Americans stand as they are recognized for their accomplishment.