By Andrew Edwards
Elmore Autauga News Staff Writer
We’re over a week removed from the 2021 Alabama Student Anglers Bass Fishing Association State Tournament, and it was a clean sweep by the Tallassee City School Anglers.
Over 250 boats and approximately 500 anglers from across the state competed on Lake Jordan on June 18th in a two-division tournament, split between junior high and high school levels.
In their first year as a team, the TCCA took home first place in both divisions. Jayden Griggs and Stephen Bridgeman were top in the junior high division, while Michael Markham and Carter Davidson finished first in the high school division.
Griggs and Bridgeman weighed in with 6.7 pounds of bass, while Markham and Davidson reeled in 10.96 pounds – enough to bring the trophies home for both classifications.
Davidson also caught the tournaments largest bass, weighing in at around 5 pounds.
The teams were recognized for their accomplishments on Monday afternoon at the Elmore County Commission meeting.
“Those are some tremendous accomplishments. Fishing is a challenge – physically and emotionally. There’s lots of factors that go into your success,” said Troy Stubbs, Chairman and District 3 Commissioner.
“We always recognize students within the county who achieve something on the state level. This is the first group of Elmore County students to be recognized for their accomplishments in regards to the angling tournament.”
Vice-Chair and District 2 Commissioner Mack Daugherty was extremely proud of the anglers and took some pride in having jurisdiction over the Tallassee area.
“I get to serve this area and I’m just absolutely thrilled. You guys have worked so hard this season fishing on different lakes – some of them far away. Nothing thrills my heart more than seeing kids going out and enjoying the great outdoors. We’re so blessed in Elmore County to have the lakes and rivers that we have,” Daugherty said.
District 1 Commissioner Henry Hines’ comments garnered a few laughs from the crowd.
“Pardon the pun, but I think there must be something in the water up in Tallassee, AL. We keep honoring students out of that area,” Hines laughed. “I know it’s hard work and long hours that you spend out there in the sun. A lot of kids don’t like to get up early in the morning and that really shows your appreciation for what you do,” Hines said.
District 4 Commissioner Bart Mercer echoed the sentiments of others.
“I know it’s a lot of hard, hard work that you do. Seeing people from Elmore County win the tournament just warms my heart and I’m glad that you guys were able to bring those trophies here this year,” Mercer said.
District 5 Commissioner Desirae Lewis rounded out the comments.
“Those were some pretty big fish that you guys caught,” Lewis laughed. “Congratulations, this is just such an awesome accomplishment.”
On top of winning the tournament, both Markham won $1,000 and Davidson $1,500 in scholarship money. They are both still freshman.
For updates on the angler team and all things related to Tallassee Schools, follow their Facebook Page or visit their website https://www.tcschools.com/
