Eatonville anglers battle through challenges at high school bass fishing nationals

Eatonville's Tyler Kenney and Cole Chadwick braved tough conditions and stiff competition to finish 38th out of 73 teams in the World Semifinals of the 2024 High School Fishing World Finals and 30th out of 249 teams in the National Championship on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina.

The duo, with Jason Kenney at the helm, entered the tournament with aspirations of both the National Championship title and a shot at the World Finals glory. They started strong, tying for 19th place in the National Championship standings on day one with a three-fish weight of 8 pounds 12 ounces. This weight also put them in a tie for 20th place in the World Finals competition, where any high school angler is eligible to participate.

However, day two proved more challenging. With the trolling motor failing to charge overnight and strong winds buffeting the boat, Captain Jason Kenney had his work cut out for him keeping the team on target. The fish, it seemed, were also feeling the pressure, with many nice fish spotted but unwilling to take the bait. Despite the frustrations, Kenney and Chadwick persevered, bringing in a full limit again for a combined weight of 5 pounds 14 ounces. This brought their two-day National Championship total to 14 pounds 10 ounces, placing them 30th — shy of the top 10 needed to advance to the National Championship Finals.

However, as the only team from Washington, Kenney and Chadwick had already secured a spot in the World Semifinals by virtue of being the top team from their state. Here, they faced a new set of challenges. Day three brought more bad luck, with the blazing sun and lingering boat issues in the rental boat they were using added to the difficulty. They managed to catch just one fish, weighing in at 2 pounds 2 ounces, which wasn't enough to propel them to the coveted World Finals on Saturday.

Despite the setbacks, Captain Jason Kenney couldn't hide his pride in his young anglers. 

“Overall, I'm very proud of what they accomplished,” he said. “It was an experience that's for sure."

The tournament itself was a massive undertaking, attracting nearly 3,000 visitors and featuring 437 teams from 33 states, Canada, and even Zimbabwe. With a total prize pool of $3.2 million in scholarships and prizes, the competition was fierce.

While Tyler and Cole may not have reached the ultimate podium, their performance throughout the week showcased their talent, determination, and ability to adapt under pressure. The experience gained at this high-level tournament will undoubtedly serve them well in future fishing endeavors.