Southland Fishing Team qualifies for GISA State Tournament

Published 5:22 pm Monday, March 1, 2021

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From Staff Reports

 

GAINESVILLE, GA – The Southland Academy Fishing Team competed in the GISA/GAAP Regional Fishing Tournament at Lake Lanier in Gainesville, GA on Saturday, February 27, and did well enough to qualify for the upcoming Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) State Tournament.

The Raiders competed against several other GISA and GAAP schools. Each team had three boats with two anglers on each boat and an adult boat captain. The duo of SAR anglers Chase Chapman and Fisher Britt finished in first place by catching five fish with a total combined weight of 14.07 pounds, with Chapman turning in the biggest fish; a 4.06-lb. spotted bass.

The SAR duo of Tom Hart and Collins Bass came in second place with three fish caught for a total weight of 7.05 pounds, while the duo of James Griffin and Eli Griffin finished in fourth place with two fish caught for a total weight of 5.14 pounds.

Competitive Fishing is becoming more and more popular at the high school and college level all over the country, so much so that high school anglers can earn college scholarships through fishing. With this reality in mind, SAR Head Fishing Coach Stephanie Chapman wanted to build up the fishing program at Southland this year.

“I was really excited to get the fishing team put together this year,” said Chapman. “I know there are some really great opportunities for members of a fishing team and shooting team to get scholarships now. They’re really big sports. That is one of the reasons that I was really hoping to get the fishing team up and running this year: to get some opportunities available for some of these kids in hopes that they will receive scholarships.”

The Raiders will now turn their attention to the GISA State Tournament to be held at Lake Oconee on Saturday, March 20.