Local high school anglers place fourth at World Finals
June 23, 2024
Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com
Owen Wiggins of Cartersville High School and Bill Gaines of Woodland High School placed fourth on Saturday, June 22, in the 2024 High School Fishing World Finals on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina near Anderson. The Student Angler Federation presented the 398-team event on June 19-22.
The two locals represented the local Amateur High School Bass Anglers organization. After missing the two-day cut, the Wiggins and Gaines earned a spot in the World Finals by placing sixth in the third day’s Second Chance Round. Their Friday catch was 8 pounds and 14 ounces.
The three fish haul by the local duo in Saturday’s 31-team World Finals weighed-in at 10 pounds and 13 ounces. The largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, and redeye were required to be 12 inches or more.
The local team finished behind two-person teams from Central Kentucky (13 pounds), Port Barre-Louisiana (12-14), and Lanier High School-GA (11-14).
Other local competitors included in the National Championship Team Tournament Standings:
Cooper Moon and Hayden West — Cartersville High School — 27th first two days / 83rd in 2nd Chance Round.
Tucker Ivester and Caiden Moore — Cass High School and Woodland High School — 39th first two days / 63rd in 2nd Chance Round
Garrett Hewlett and Dallen Fuqua — Cartersville High School — 44th in 2nd Chance Round
Brandon Willard and Bryan Gayton — Woodland High School — 51st in 2nd Chance Round
Trenton Mealer and Bentley Bagley — Adairsville High School — 75th (first two days)
Will Altizer and Kadin West — Adairsville High School — 104th (first two days)
Kip Mayfield and Gannon Bonds — Cass High School — 156th (first two days)
