H-L students starting a bass fishing team

BASCOM — Students have come together in a shared interest of fishing to start their own bass fishing team. Students Brandon Wilt and Kayleigh Statts, seniors at Hopewell-Loudon High School, have enjoyed fishing since they were young. Wilt, who came from Texas to Ohio, always admired his brother's participation in a fishing club and decided to try to get one similar established here. So far, the team has 13 members who have signed up. The first official meeting was Dec. 4. Wilt said their ultimate goal is to compete during tournaments and earn scholarships and prizes. The team is student led and members have appointed a president, vice president, treasurer and reporter. "I've always fished a lot," Statts said. Wilt and Statts said they enjoy fishing because of the relaxing qualities. Statts said she also enjoys knowing when you get a fish hooked and know the fish is a "big one." Rod Daniel, an intervention specialist at Hopewell-Loudon and coach, said he has always coached basketball, and when he was asked to be the team's adviser, he was excited. "This is an opportunity to have more student involvement other than being on a court or field," Daniel said. "It is also exciting for the area." At first, the idea of the team received some backlash from the students, Wilt said. "We want to show them that if you put the effort into something, you can make it," Statts said. "We wanted to prove them wrong." Wilt said he has heard from students who had disliked the idea come around and be excited for the opportunity. Wilt said they still need boat captains and sponsors. So far, through donations and sponsorships, they have been able to raise about $1,000. Team members' fees to enter a tournament is $20 per person, along with supplies and travel expenses. Those interested in donating, sponsoring and being a boat captain can email Daniel at rdaniel@hlschool.net; Wilt at 18bwilt@hlschool.net; or Statts at 18kstatts@hlschool.net.