PONCA CITY, Okla. (July 6, 2016) – The Bass Federation (TBF), with our “Partner in Fishing” at FLW, announce the 2016 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Nebraska High School State Championship on Saturday, July 23 on the Ellwood Reservoir near Gosper, Neb.

The state championship is a two person event for students in grades 9-12.  Each team can have one member in 7th or 8th grade, if needed. 

All teams should pre-register online for high school events at HighSchoolFishing.org to avoid onsite late fees.  Each team and their “coach,” who provides the boat they compete in, will need to check in at 5:30am on July 23 at the Ellwood Wildlife Mgt Area located three miles north of Ellwood on US 283.  A rules briefing will immediately follow.  Take off is at 7am and the weigh-in will begin at 1:15pm.

 “TBF and our partners in fishing at FLW are the only organizations to offer a state championship in every state and Canada,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, stated. “There’s no question our State Championship Series provides the foundation to make SAF the largest high school fishing organization in North America.”

The top 10% of each 2016 State Championship event advances to a FLW/TBF Conference Regional Championship.  The top 10% from the Conference Regional events advance to the FLW/TBF High School National Championship to compete for the top team prize of a $10,000 scholarship. As an added bonus, national championship teams will compete out of new Ranger Boats provided for them, along with paid hotel accommodations and other perks. The final day weigh-in will take place on the FLW main stage in front of a live FLW Tour stop!

Go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation and to sign up for events. If you’re not a 2016 SAF member, annual cost is $25 year.  Pay in advance or register for an event online and pay then.  There are no entry fees as long as you enter your active/paid SAF membership number at the time of registration!

SAF membership includes full TBF and FLW competitor membership benefits, FLW Magazine e- Edition, online training programs and full insurance coverage for clubs, officers and student members.

In addition to State Championships, SAF National OPENs and other events held across the nation will advance the top 3 teams to their Conference Regional Championships. All SAF members automatically qualify to compete in the pinnacle of all high school events, the 2016 High School Fishing World Finals for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes each year. 

The World Finals format allows anglers to

test their skills against high school anglers from across the nation at a week-long family vacation event, which will be held in Florence, Alabama on Pickwick Reservoir, June 28-July 2.  This no entry fee, come one, come all mega event gives every high school team a shot at the sports top prizes and honors.