(Atlantic) The Southwest Iowa Fishing Team (SWIFT) junior anglers are gearing up to compete in the prestigious 2025 Junior World Championship (JWC), scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 1 on Lake Oahe in Pierre, South Dakota. This national-level tournament features a two-person team format and three days of competitive fishing for youth anglers who were in 8th grade or younger at the time of qualification.
The TBF Junior Program draws talent from across the United States and Canada, with only the top teams from each state’s sanctioned program earning an invitation. More than $12,000 in scholarships and prizes are up for grabs at this highly competitive event.
Bob Harris, SWIFT team coach, shared his excitement: “I’m super proud and excited to see how the SWIFT teams stack up against the best junior bass teams in the world!”
Many of today’s professional anglers started their careers in the TBF Junior Program—including Jacob Wheeler (2006 JWC), Shane Lehew (2007 JWC Champion), and Justin Atkins (2008 JWC, 2017 Forrest Wood Cup Champion).
This year’s SWIFT lineup features an impressive roster of junior anglers:
Brendan Wilke – Atlantic, IA
Letty McSorely – Carson, IA
Leon Polley – Harlan, IA
Walter Louk – Jefferson, IA
Wilke and McSorely, fishing together for the first time at the JWC, also earned the first boat championship title in the SWIFT Elite Boat Series. Meanwhile, Polley and Louk are coming off a strong runner-up finish at the 2025 Iowa Jr. Bass State Championships, making them another team to watch.
Harris sends a special thank-you to the volunteer boat captains, Mike McSorely and Ben McCord, who generously donate their time and expertise. “Their support makes it possible for our students to pursue their passion at the highest level.”
At its core, junior fishing is about more than big catches and trophies. It’s about sportsmanship, learning, and personal growth. Since launching the Student Angler Federation in 2006, The Bass Federation (TBF) has remained committed to creating life-shaping opportunities through fishing.
None of this would be possible without our dedicated sponsors, captains, and parents. On behalf of the SWIFT anglers, thank you for helping us build the next generation of leaders through this incredible sport.
The TBF, headquartered in Ponca City, Oklahoma, is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and the largest grassroots fishing, youth, and conservation organization in the world. With over 20,000 events hosted annually, TBF continues to lead the way in youth fishing programs, having founded its Junior division in 1994 and the national High School Fishing program in 2007.
The 2025 JWC will be filmed for national television on the Pursuit Channel and other networks. Live coverage will be streamed daily on:
www.HighSchoolFishing.org. Facebook.com/HSFishing. Follow the SWIFT team’s journey, updates, photos, and results on their official page: facebook.com/swifishingteam.
Walter Louk and Leon Polley
Letty McSorely and Brendan Wilke
