Area youth anglers bring home Iowa High School State Championship

​      Carter Michalek of Montezuma, left, and fishing partner Alex Meland of New Sharon, captured the Iowa B.A.S.S. Nation State Championship in the High School Division on the Mississippi River on Sunday, Aug. 6. The fishing duo caught three bass weighing in at 9.76 pounds to capture the title. They will fish in the 2024 Bassmaster High School National Championship at a later date and location to be announced.

By J.O. Parker
 
       Two area high school anglers recently earned the Iowa B.A.S.S. Nation State Championship.
     Team members Carter Michalek, of Montezuma, and Alex Meland, of New Sharon, brought home top state honors in the High School Division.
     There were 41 teams from across Iowa who competed in the state tournament held on Sunday, Aug. 6 on the Mississippi River in Prairie Du Chien, Wis.
     Carter and Alex caught a three-fish limit for a total of 9.76 pounds, leading them to the top prize.     The two anglers will go on to fish in the 2024 Bassmaster High School National Championship at a later date and location to be announced.
     They’ve fished at nationals twice in the junior division. This will be their first national tournament as high schoolers.
     The anglers are part of the Iowa Youth Fishing League.