Local students stock this year's state fishing championship
Streamwood, St. Charles North, Maine West and Wheaton Warrenville South high schools all compete in different conferences and even different counties, but this much they share: They advanced their teams to a second straight state tournament - in bass fishing.
"These kids have been working and studying all winter to get back to the state tournament," said Streamwood coach Marty Baker, "and it paid off."
They finished among the top three teams in their respective sectionals, advancing to the state meet to take place May 7-8 on Lake Carlyle downstate.
Last year, the Illinois High School Athletics Association was the first in the nation to offer a state series in bass fishing.
This year, it returns with a championship meet designed to challenge the skills of even the most experienced bass anglers.
"Right now we are trying to do our homework on Lake Carlyle as best we can," said Mark Prosise, head coach at Lakes Community High School in Lake Villa, whose team won its first sectional title this year, on the Chain O' Lakes.
"We've read past fishing reports and paid careful attention to comments anglers have made about the water conditions," Prosise said, "and the way they caught their fish."
Not only is Lake Carlyle vast - at 26,000 acres, it is the state's largest inland lake - but teams will have to research the topography of the lake as well as where its depressions and downed trees are to find the fish.
"We're excited to get a second crack at this lake," said Paul Zafiropoulos, Maine West coach. "It's a tough one."
St. Charles North coaches will scout out Lake Carlyle themselves this weekend to get a better feel for its conditions, including water levels and temperature. Both head coach Tim Pinks and his assistant, Dave Fuerst, bring years of professional tournament fishing experience to their team.
"Last year, we took third in state, and we're hoping to do well again this year," Pinks said of his team, which has won sectionals both years.
Last year, Mother Nature threw them a curve ball. On the opening day of the state tournament, it rained nearly 3 inches, which, combined with a thunderstorm, forced IHSA officials to cut it short.
This year, Streamwood won its sectional at the south end of the Chain O' Lakes in Fox Lake, led by its coaches, including Baker, a multispecies angler, and Kenton Evans, an assistant football coach and veteran tournament pro.
"Coach Evans couldn't even watch the weigh in (at sectionals) he was so nervous," Baker says. "But the other boats kept coming in, and we were still on top."
To win the sectional, a pair of Streamwood students, Jacob Oddo and Dominick Tatone submitted the maximum five fish they could have weighed, which combined for a total of 9.82 pounds. Tatone caught the biggest bass of the day, at 3.53 pounds.
Deerfield High School placed second behind Streamwood, while Stevenson took third to earn a trip downstate.
"We're elated at the chance to go to Carlyle Lake for the state tournament," Stevenson coach Tim O'Reilly said. "Our guys just can't stop talking about it."
Wheaton Warrenville South High School won its second straight sectional title under head coach Art Tang, but the anglers are not resting on their accomplishments.
"Last year, at the state tournament, we struggled," Tang said. "Lake Carlyle is a huge lake, and we weren't mentally ready. I feel like we should have a better approach this year and a better chance of doing well."
Maine West finished behind the Tigers, earning a repeat visit to the state tournament, where last year it finished 13th overall.
"Lake Carlyle presents some very unusual challenges," Zafiropoulos of Maine West said.
"It's a man-made reservoir, and mostly shallow water, so it can heat up or cool down real fast. And even the slightest breeze can affect where the fish can go."