By Chris Erwin
This past year the Kentucky High School Athletic Association sanctioned bass fishing as official high school sport, since then, I have been eager to see some schools on our end of the state embrace the sport and add it to their curriculum. Boyd County is one of the first schools to do it. Much of the credit should go to a man who is willing to work as the coach for free.
Melvin Lawhorn wanted the job as coach even before the school was ready to look for one, I’ve known Lawhorn for a long time he was a serious competitor back in my tournament days. His love for fishing along with his years of experience made him a good match to blaze this new trail in the sport we love so much.
The Boyd County team will really be made up of two teams one in the middle school age group and the other at the high school level. Lawhorn says he will split his time between the Varsity team and the middle school team.
The school first challenge will be April 13th at Yatesville where they will try for one of the positions in the 4th regional semifinals. If they win a spot, they will advance to the finals to be held at Land between the Lakes on Barkley and Kentucky Lakes April 25-28 hosted by Murray State University.
It’s important that our area supports this new high school sport; while most high school sports don’t end up as lifelong careers; there is a good chance a few as in any sport will do just that, I can tell you they make as much money as any other professional sport. However, the goal is much higher, fishing is a sport which can be pursued a lifetime. It also can translate into a family sport, some of the best times I’ve spent with both my son, and daughter has been on the water fishing.
Lawhorn tells me the team needs uniforms, digital scales for weigh-ins as well as other items to put on tournaments; if you want to donate to this team, or if you want to offer your boat and time as captain at one of their event’s contact Melvin Lawhorn 606-928-7956 or e-mail melvinl.lawhorn@boydpva.com
I attended a tackle swap meet put on by the team to help raise money at the Boyd County High School this past Saturday it looked to be a success. They had fishermen coming from all over the state to set up tables to sell and swap tackle. Dustin Rose from the other side of Lexington came in to set up a table. Greg Dowdy also had a table Greg is a former teacher, and principal. I talked to many shoppers whom all were showing their support for what we all hope will become a shining success that spreads to all the high schools on our end of the state.
One of the big selling points of this program is it cost the school system nothing, to date the Boyd County team has seven boats all boats are manned by a captain usually the boat owner, insurance and just about every problem you can think of has been addressed and solved.
Lawhorn says he has about 20 students on the team right now; he believes it will grow as they work through their first season, the kids I talked to say they are learning and hope to be ready for their first tournament. I plan to cover the tournament and bring you the results.
Join me in supporting this team and help us get students excited about being in the outdoors! Till next time keep a tight line. Chris Erwin is the founder and publisher of Kentucky Angling News an on-line magazine available at www.kentuckyangling.com/magazine Chris can be reached by email chris@ashlandbeacon.com
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