By Bill Morgan, Staff Writer
The Becker B.A.S.S. fishing team has been reeling in numerous honors this summer as they participate in tournaments throughout the state in their second official season.
The 2018 team has over 26 coaches and boat captains and 32 student participants. They hold meetings and training sessions at the high school auditorium as well as local lakes. Then, student anglers enter official B.A.S.S. sanctioned tournaments where winners can advance to state and national championship tournaments.
In June, Becker participated in the Lake Minnetonka Tournament where the Becker duo of Tobako and Zimmerman finished 21st. Jon Novak and Jacob Novak finished 27th and Colton Peifer and Tyler Matvick took 38th.
At the Mille Lacs Tournament July 15, the Novak brothers finished 19th, while Charlie Wright and Carter Hietala took 13th. Nate Bujarski and Neil Odden finished 20th and Odden and Zac Dostal took 21st.
At Gull Lake a week later, Wright and Heitala captured 13th place while the Novaks took 18th.
At Lake Pokegama Aug. 5, Becker went one-two as Bujarski/Odden reeled in first place while the Novaks took second. Wright/Heitala took 12th and Tristan Martin and Cole Berringer took 22nd.
Two weeks later at Lake Minnewaska, the Novaks finished ninth, Meyer and Swanson took 20th and Martin/Berger took 24th.
SATT (Student Angler Tournament Trail) also honors a “team of the year”. Becker has two teams in the top 10 overall for team of the year results. This is out of approximately 250 teams.
The 2018 Becker fishing team consists of Jacob Novak, Jon Novak, Nate Bujarski, Neil Odden, Carter Hietala, Charlie Wright, Colton Peifer, Colton Johannes, Cole Berringer, Tyler Matvick, Ty Pribyl, Derek Roske, Bryce Brannan, Jarret Aumock, Logan Jurek, Erik Brandt, Avery Longley, Nik Hosier, Gage Sigvertsen, Luke Mehelich, Wesley McKay, Mason Doucette, Tristan Martin, Dawson Crouse, Zac Dostal, Sam Hyttsten, Carson Shultz, Reid Brenteson, Tucker Rhodes, Sawyer Hietala, Sydne Hintermeister and Jackson Jundt.
Up Next
Becker has three teams competing (63) total on Lake Minnetonka Sept. 9. Lund, who sponsored Becker’s team this year, has donated a boat to the SATT. Becker sold raffle tickets and they are anticipating up to $40,000 of scholarships will be given away at the Tournament of Champions!
