(Southwest Iowa) Four student angler teams from the Southwest Iowa Fishing Team (SWIFT) are heading to Grove, Oklahoma, to compete in the 16th Annual High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship. The event, held from June 24 to 28 at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, brings together 400 of the top high school fishing teams from across the United States and countries such as Canada and Zimbabwe.
“This is such an exciting opportunity, and I’m incredibly proud of how far these kids have come,” said SWIFT Coach Bob Harris. “It’s a huge honor to represent southwest Iowa at the world’s biggest high school bass tournament.”
The combined tournament features a record $3.8 million in scholarships and prizes, offering young anglers a chance to shine on a national stage—without paying any entry fees. Each team includes two student anglers and a volunteer boat captain.
Representing SWIFT this year:
Joaquin and Jake Wailes – making their third appearance at Nationals, and coming off back-to-back titles in the SWIFT Elite Boat Series.
Brentyn Hoover and Lucas Bose – also no strangers to big competition- recently finished second at the 2025 Iowa Bass State Championships. Hoover is competing in his third championship, and Bose returns for his second.
Gavin Doughtery and Cody Swank – enjoying their best season yet as a team, with growing chemistry and momentum heading into Nationals.
Collin Rudy and Matt Pollock – Rudy returns for his second appearance, this time teaming up with first-year partner Pollock. The pair quickly gelled, earning a Top 3 season finish.
These anglers are backed by dedicated boat captains—Rob Clausen, Don Switzer, and Randy Hoover—whose time and expertise are crucial to the team’s success.
This year’s format is designed to keep the competition intense through the final cast. Featuring a unique second-chance bracket, the tournament employs a double-elimination structure, providing teams with multiple opportunities to advance.
While the goal is to catch fish and win titles, Coach Harris emphasizes the greater value: “It’s about more than fishing. It’s about teamwork, personal growth, and learning how to handle pressure. That’s what this program is really about.”
The event is expected to draw a crowd of around 3,000 people, with daily coverage streamed live at HighSchoolFishing.org, on the Pursuit Channel, and across social media platforms. Fans can follow updates, photos, and results on the SWIFT Facebook page at facebook.com/swifishingteam.
With national television coverage and international competition, this is a moment SWIFT’s anglers won’t soon forget. Best of luck to our teams representing Southwest Iowa on the world stage!
