High School Championship: Day 1 launch

Posted on
Tail lights stream red in the darkness surrounding the Paris Landing State Park launch before the start of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops, and the Costa Bassmaster National High School Championship.
Tail lights stream red in the darkness surrounding the Paris Landing State Park launch before the start of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops, and the Costa Bassmaster National High School Championship.
A long line of trucks and boat trailers begins to form near the launch.
A long line of trucks and boat trailers begins to form near the launch.
A nice-sized crowd made its way to the take-off early on Thursday morning. The college anglers took off at 5:45 a.m. CST, with the high schoolers right behind.
A nice-sized crowd made its way to the take-off early on Thursday morning. The college anglers took off at 5:45 a.m. CST, with the high schoolers right behind.
Kyle Alsop of Kansas State is the College Classic Bracket’s No. 1 seed.
Kyle Alsop of Kansas State is the College Classic Bracket’s No. 1 seed.
Bethel University’s Brian Pahl is ready for take off. He’s the No. 3 seed.
Bethel University’s Brian Pahl is ready for take off. He’s the No. 3 seed.
John Garrett of Bethel, the No. 4 seed in the Classic Bracket, talks with fans before take-off.
John Garrett of Bethel, the No. 4 seed in the Classic Bracket, talks with fans before take-off.
Fishing fans peer down from the dock onto the boats below.
Fishing fans peer down from the dock onto the boats below.
Dawn begins to break over the Paris Landing State Park Marina.
Dawn begins to break over the Paris Landing State Park Marina.
The American Flag flies while all in attendance pause to honor our country.
The American Flag flies while all in attendance pause to honor our country.
Auburn’s Caleb Wozniak pauses for the playing of the National Anthem.
Auburn’s Caleb Wozniak pauses for the playing of the National Anthem.
The top college anglers come cameras on their boats Thursday.
The top college anglers come cameras on their boats Thursday.
Alsop heads out to open water.
Alsop heads out to open water.
The camera’s bright lights will be on Kansas State’s Taylor Bivins all day.
The camera’s bright lights will be on Kansas State’s Taylor Bivins all day.
Bivins heads for Kentucky Lake’s open waters.
Bivins heads for Kentucky Lake’s open waters.
Another angler motors to the lake.
Another angler motors to the lake.
Evan Coleman of Texas State passes through check in.
Evan Coleman of Texas State passes through check in.
Ditto for Austin Handley of Auburn.
Ditto for Austin Handley of Auburn.
As does Auburn teammate Wozniak.
As does Auburn teammate Wozniak.
Last year’s high school champs, Justin Watts and Alex Heintze of Louisiana, go through check-in. They’re hoping for similar success this year.
Last year’s high school champs, Justin Watts and Alex Heintze of Louisiana, go through check-in. They’re hoping for similar success this year.
And off Watts and Heintze go.
And off Watts and Heintze go.
These guys are ready to roll on Kentucky Lake.
These guys are ready to roll on Kentucky Lake.
Nearly 200 high school teams from across the U.S. are taking part in the national championship.
Nearly 200 high school teams from across the U.S. are taking part in the national championship.
They all have high hopes.
They all have high hopes.
Blake Albertson and Dylan Cobb are fishing together this week.
Blake Albertson and Dylan Cobb are fishing together this week.
NIck Denham and Cole Baker are proud to wave the Red, White, and Blue -- any time of day.
NIck Denham and Cole Baker are proud to wave the Red, White, and Blue — any time of day.
B.A.S.S. fans are a big part of what goes on at these tournaments. A couple of supporters are in the foreground as boats begin to move out to open water.
B.A.S.S. fans are a big part of what goes on at these tournaments. A couple of supporters are in the foreground as boats begin to move out to open water.
And here comes another team ready to catch some bass.
And here comes another team ready to catch some bass.
These guys mean business when it comes to bass fishing.
These guys mean business when it comes to bass fishing.
Former high school angler, now college angler, Zeke Gossett is a boat captain for Ean Davis and Grayson Hanson.
Former high school angler, now college angler, Zeke Gossett is a boat captain for Ean Davis and Grayson Hanson.
Numbers will be tossed to every single boat that leaves the docks on Thursday.
Numbers will be tossed to every single boat that leaves the docks on Thursday.
A female angler takes a seat on the bow of the boat before heading onto Kentucky Lake.
A female angler takes a seat on the bow of the boat before heading onto Kentucky Lake.
And the boats will keep on coming as the sun begins to climb in the eastern sky.
And the boats will keep on coming as the sun begins to climb in the eastern sky.
A tip of the cap to the crowd is in order.
A tip of the cap to the crowd is in order.
These guys are thinking over what they’ll catch today.
These guys are thinking over what they’ll catch today.
Thumbs up for tight lines!
Thumbs up for tight lines!
All smiles for fishing on Kentucky and Barkley.
All smiles for fishing on Kentucky and Barkley.
Justin Kanute and Josh Wissinger from Alabama.
Justin Kanute and Josh Wissinger from Alabama.
This driver may be taking a selfie, or is it a shot of the boats leaving ahead of him?
This driver may be taking a selfie, or is it a shot of the boats leaving ahead of him?
Coming down the way for a day of competition.
Coming down the way for a day of competition.
The anglers are in clear view, but it’s the driver that gives the thumbs-up from behind his Lowrance.
The anglers are in clear view, but it’s the driver that gives the thumbs-up from behind his Lowrance.
A female fan leans in for a shot of an angler.
A female fan leans in for a shot of an angler.
Tournament Director Hank Weldon noted the size of the crowd on Thursday morning.
Tournament Director Hank Weldon noted the size of the crowd on Thursday morning.
It was a good crowd, for sure.
It was a good crowd, for sure.
Drake Boyd and Daelyn Whaley from South Carolina.
Drake Boyd and Daelyn Whaley from South Carolina.
Former high school champion Nick Osman now captains for Tyler Gavlick and Andrew Henry of Pennsylvania.
Former high school champion Nick Osman now captains for Tyler Gavlick and Andrew Henry of Pennsylvania.
Another fan lines up an approaching boat on her phone.
Another fan lines up an approaching boat on her phone.
Trevor McKinney and Dailus Richardson, the Midwest Open champions from Illinois.
Trevor McKinney and Dailus Richardson, the Midwest Open champions from Illinois.