From Dawn Kujawa – Lexington Two Communications Director – Airport High School fishing duo Tanner Schultz and Jacob White are used to competing on a big stage, but next week they’ll be representing at a whole new level.

The two will compete in the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School National Championship. The event, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, will be held at Kentucky Lake/ Lake Barkley in Paris, Tennessee.

Schultz and White will start the week with pre-fishing events Tuesday and Wednesday, October 20-21, followed by the tournament on Thursday and Friday. The top 12 finishers by the end of Friday’s events will fish on Saturday for the top spot and a chance to earn college scholarships.

The duo qualified to fish in the National Championship by finishing third in last year’s SC BASS Nation State Championship Tournament on Lake Murray. They finished 9th out of a field of 108 teams for the 2019-20 season, Airport’s highest finish in the three years since the school’s fishing team was launched. 

“To be good at anything I believe you have to have a passion for it,” said Travis Barnes, Airport’s fishing team coordinator.  “Tanner and Jacob definitely have a passion for fishing. They have dedicated themselves to being the best they can be at it.  It is a pleasure to see them getting some well deserved recognition.

“Their success did not just happen,” Barnes added.  “It came from years of dedication, sacrifice and hard work in their sport. I feel sure Tanner and Jacob will represent Airport High School, Lexington 2 and South Carolina well in the high school national championship.”