By SHELBA NIVENS / Community Columnist

The Chelsea High School fishing club is currently in first place for the Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association’s (ASABFA) Club of the Year title.

ASABFA is made up of teams in 51 Alabama schools.

Teams consist of two student anglers and one boat captain, who participate in four regional tournaments each year and must qualify for the State Championship tournament.

The Chelsea club placed second overall out of 49 schools and 197 boats in this year’s first tournament Feb. 16, and second out of 213 boats in the second tournament March 16.

The Chelsea team of Zane Loveday and Jason Champion took second place for biggest fish (weight 7.53 pounds) and third for highest total weight (22.52 pounds). Chelsea’s Kaleb Appling and Quintin Dorough were third for biggest fish (7.41 pounds).

These combined scores put them in first place for the state.

The 2012-2013 Chelsea club has 12 members, making up six teams in grades 7-12.

They are Alex Boroughs and Hunter Preisendorfer, Zane Loveday and Jason Champion, Kaleb Appling and Quintin Dorough, Tray Davis and JJ Davis, Tyler Boyle and Randy Joiner, and Jake Johnson and Taylor Hulvey.

“The team not only competes in fishing tournaments,” said Michelle Loveday, a club mother and sponsor. “They volunteer at various events such as Cast for Kids, Outdoor Friends Forever and Kampfire for the King at the King’s Home.”

She added that the club also focuses on character building, integrity, good sportsmanship and good grades.

“One important requirement to remain a part of the team is to maintain a 2.0 GPA,” she said. “This alone has helped many students. They understand if their grades are too low, they are not allowed to fish.

“And these boys love to fish!”

Coach Greg Loveday leads the anglers.

They have 33 sponsors, including Edwards Chevrolet and family volunteers.

The next regionals are April 6 at Smith Lake and April 27 at Lake Tuscaloosa. Weight-ins begin at 2 p.m.

The Two-day ctate championship will be on Lay Lake, hosted by the city of Columbiana with booths at the Agricultural Center.

Visit Chelsea anglers on Facebook, or at their website Chelseaanglers.org.

 

Shelba Nivens can be reached by email at Shelbasn@juno.com.