OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (Oct. 19, 2021) – The Kaneland High School duo of Jake Mantovani of Napierville, Illinois, and Carter Pjesky of Sugar Grove, Illinois, won the U.S. Army High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Open at Lake of the Ozarks Presented by Googan Baits on Saturday in Osage Beach, Missouri. The victory advanced the winning team to the 2022 U.S. Army High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing National Championship.
According to post-tournament reports, the duo caught their fish targeting bridges and rocks in deep water with an underspin, a Heddon Zara Spook, a Ned rig and a drop-shot rig.
TOP 10 RESULTS
| RANK | SCHOOL/CLUB NAME/CITY | ANGLER NAME | BASS | WEIGHT |
| 1st | Kaneland High School, Maple Park, Ill.* | Jake Mantovani, Napierville, Ill. Carter Pjesky, Sugar Grove, Ill. |
5 | 12-8 |
| 2nd | Lincoln County Lunkers* | Alec Davidson, Troy, Mo. Ronin Picker, Moscow Mills, Mo. |
5 | 12-6 |
| 3rd | Bradleyville High School* | Wyatt Marler, Oldfield, Mo. Brock Rogers, Bradleyville, Mo. |
4 | 12-1 |
| 4th | Bolivar High School* | Ryder Hall, Bolivar, Mo. Logan Welch, Bolivar, Mo. |
5 | 11-15 |
| 5th | Clearwater High School, Piedmont, Mo. | Caden McAlister, Piedmont, Mo. Brayden Wilson, Piedmont, Mo. |
5 | 9-14 |
| 6th | Timberland High School, Wentzville, Mo. | Nick Dawson Wentzville, Mo. Austin Smith, Wentzville, Mo. |
3 | 8-9 |
| 7th | Aurora Central Catholic High School, Aurora, Ill. | Adam Bartlett, Aurora, Ill. Michael Cooper, Aurora, Ill. |
2 | 8-9 |
| 8th | Carthage High School, Carthage, Mo. | Tristan Beck, Carthage, Mo. Colson Brust, Carthage, Mo. |
3 | 8-7 |
| 9th | Eureka High School, Eureka, Mo. | Nate Bridges, Eureka, Mo. Grant Priesmeyer, Eureka, Mo. |
2 | 6-11 |
| 10th | Newton Community High School, Newton, Ill. | Kyson Bradley, Newton, Ill. Ian Fehrenbacher, Ingraham, Ill. |
3 | 6-8 |
*National Championship Qualifier. The top 10% of teams advance to the 2021 U.S. Army High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing National Championship
Complete results from the event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
2022 UPCOMING QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES
| EVENT | DATE | LOCATION | HOST |
| 2022 U.S. Army High School Fishing National Championship & World Finals | June 22-25, 2022 | Pickwick Lake & Wilson Lake | Florence-Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau |
U.S. Army High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing tournaments are free, two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and are open to any MLF and Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10 percent of teams at each Open event along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships will advance to the 2021 U.S. Army High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing National Championship. The U.S. Army High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.
The first 25 high school teams that enter each U.S. Army High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing tournament will receive a free Favorite Fishing package, including one Favorite Fishing casting rod and reel, one Favorite Fishing spinning rod and reel, six packs of Googan Baits and two Favorite Fishing hats, a total package value of $230. Most tournaments are also hosted by a Bass Pro Tour angler or Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit angler, giving high school students the chance to meet the sport’s top pros. As an added bonus, the winning team at each tournament will receive a guided fishing trip with their pro angler host.
In addition to the U.S. Army High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest open high school bass tournament, the 2022 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship. More than $2.8 million in scholarships and prizes were offered at the 2021 World Finals.
Full schedules and the latest announcements, photos and articles are available at HighSchoolFishing.org and MajorLeagueFishing.com.