Richmond Hill High School Bass fishing program placed 2 of 3 boats in the top 35 out of 106 teams registered at the Georgia High School Association bass fishing championships on May 20, 2023, on Clarks Hill Lake. Branton Champion and Jackson Behringer placed 17th, and Joey Moore and Jagger Monaco's team came in 31. The Wildcats had the highest finish out of Savannah Area schools that qualified for the third annual GHSA Bass fishing championships.
Champion and Behringer caught five basses weighing 10 pounds 7 ounces. Moore and Monaco caught three fish weighing 8 pounds 11 ounces.
The Wildcats bass fishing team also competes in the Georgia Kayak Fishing High School Association. Georgia is currently the only state that the Student Angler Federation sanctions. The GKFHS Association's goal is to grow the sport of Bass Fishing for the youth of Georgia and help other states follow our lead. The GKFHS Association has several significant sponsors that have made contributions to make this sport a success.
Several individual Wildcat fishermen won at GKFHS Association tournaments over the last three weeks at the Clarks Hill Lake Tournament on May 7, 2023, and May 14, 2023, at the Lake Lanier Tournament.
Last week at the Lake Lanier tournament, Wildcat angler Owen Osden finished 1st and also took home the Big Fish award of the tournament. Overall Owen took home over $400 in prizes from sponsors, including a National Scouting Report (NRS) Chinook fishing jacket and a Rod Mule from Tackle Workz.
Other Wildcats hooking prizes were Branton Champion in 2nd place. Branton took home over $160 in prizes. 3rd place went to Ryan Fitzgerald. Ryan took home over $140 in prizes. 4th place was Aiden Pluff. Aiden took home $90 in rewards from NRS. 5th place was Luke Garofalo. Luke took home $50 in prizes from NRS.
On May 7, Jackson Behringer caught first place at the Clarks Hill Lake tournament. Jackson took home over $200 in prizes from sponsors, including a YakAttack Visicarbon Pro flag. 2nd Place was Hunter Brown, and Hunter also had the Big Fish award of the event. Hunter took home over $400 in prizes, including an NRS Chinook PFD. 3rd Place was Ryan Fitzgerald. Ryan took home over $140 in prizes. 4th Place was Luke Garofalo. Luke took home $90 in bonuses from NRS. 5th Place was Aiden Pluff. Aiden took home $50 in prizes from NRS.
The 2023 GKFHS Association State Championship will take place at Waterways Township, Richmond Hill, Georgia, on June 3-4, 2023.
PHOTO CREDIT: Richmond Hill High School Bass Fishing program
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Optim Orthopedics supports Richmond Hill High School athletics. Dr. David Palmer is the team doctor for Richmond Hill. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game.
