Pair finishes 15th in challenging weather conditions

The Cassville Bass Fishing Team was represented by two teams at the NYFA State Championship held June 13-14 at Pomme de Terre Lake.

The championship weekend presented difficult conditions for all competitors, with severe thunderstorms, lightning, torrential rain and rapidly changing lake conditions. Saturday’s PTA State Championship tournament experienced three separate rain delays due to weather.

Competing in the Junior Division, Deagan Gross and Colton Yockey battled through the challenging conditions to weigh in three fish totaling 3.43 pounds during Saturday’s PTA event. On Sunday, after heavy rains caused the lake to rise an estimated 5-6 feet, the pair weighed in one fish for 2.50 pounds and finished 15th out of 49 boats in the NYFA Junior Division State Championship.

Cassville High School anglers Jaxson Winfrey and Wyatt Hollingsworth also qualified for the State Championship and represented Cassville in the High School Division. The team weighed in one fish totaling 1.91 pounds against a highly competitive field of anglers from across Missouri.

“While the difficult weather and changing water conditions made fishing a challenge throughout the weekend, all four anglers demonstrated perseverance and determination while competing against some of the state’s top youth fishing teams,” a team press release said. “The Cassville Bass Fishing Team continues to build a strong presence in youth fishing and looks forward to future opportunities to represent their school and community on the water.”