LANDING LUNKERS: Clifton’s Urbanovskys win Lake Limestone Bass Fishing Tournament

THORNTON – With Clifton High School represented by seven two-angler teams, Westen and Peyton Urbanovsky teamed up to capture first place in the Lake Limestone Bass Fishing Tournament on the Central Texas High School Tournament Trail March 8.

Clifton’s Nolan Davis won the Big Bass award by landing a 7.38-pound lunker.

Competing in a field of 50 teams from across the Central Texas region, the Urbanovskys came in as one of only two teams with a five-fish stringer weighing 20.55 pounds. Clifton’s Jackson Kettler and Davis placed seventh with three fish weighing 11.82 pounds as five of Clifton’s seven teams brought fish to the weigh-in.

Led by CHS sponsor Greg McNew, other Clifton teams landing fish were Ethan Banas and Tyler Anderson finishing in 14th place with two bass weighing 6.62 pounds; Samual Cecil and Tristin Smith, 15th with one fish weighing 5.86; Jackson Newton and Leslie Davis, 23rd with one fish weighing 3.83.

Consisting of a seven-event season, the Central Texas High School Tournament Trail began Sept. 15 with the first of five qualifying tournaments on Lake Whitney. After the final qualifying tournament at Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir near Belton April 5, qualifiers will compete in the CTHSTT Championship scheduled for April 26 on a lake still to be determined.

To qualify for the championship tournament, an angler must first compete in three of the five qualifying events. Once the angler has met that requirement, one of the next three requirements must be met: 1. The angler has finished in the Top 3 in any one of the five qualifying events, 2. The angler has registered and paid for all five qualifying tournaments, 3. The angler must be in the top 50 percent in points for the school/club they represent.

While Clifton has sent eight teams to at least one event, none of the pairings have competing in all of the previous four tournaments.

Earlier in the season, the Urbanovskys placed fifth in the CTHSTT’s Lake Waco Tournament Nov. 10 with five fish weighing 10.36 pounds. Jackson Roscher and Mason Moore finished in 14th place (three for 5.3), while Davis and Kettler placed 15th (three for 5.05) in the 67-team field.

The CTHSTT provides an opportunity for both middle school and high school students in grades sixth through 12th to excel both academically and professionally by means of competitive bass fishing.  It also provides these students the opportunity to earn scholarship money for their continued education.

The Trail was formed and operates solely to invest in the future of these young anglers and the sport of competitive bass fishing in Central Texas.

Each student team has an adult boat captain who takes on the responsibility of operating the boat while the main engine is running. However once at a fishing spot, it’s up to the boat captain if the students will be allowed to operate the trolling motor.

In addition to operating the boat, the boat captain shares years of fishing knowledge with the next generation of anglers, instruct these young men and women in skills such as: locating fish, lure selection, color, and technique. The team members select their baits, make their cast, and retrieve their catch. But the boat captain is allowed to assist with the netting of the catch.

Photos courtesy of RENEE KETTLER

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