THIS FISH STORY IS TRUE
Second rescheduling of IHSA bass- fishing finals has teams scrambling
Scrambled.
That describes the Illinois High School Association’s re- rescheduling of the state championship for bass fishing on Carlyle Lake.
The finals originally were set forMay 12- 13, but high water forced them to be postponed to June 23- 24. Then Monday, the IHSA announced a fast re- rescheduling to June 14- 15 because of ‘‘ concerns by the Army Corps of Engineers.’’ Streamwood coach Marty
Baker emailed the sentiments of manyMonday: ‘‘ We have lodging reserved. We have rental vehicles reserved. It all has to be changed for a second time. It’s all messed up. Our coaches, kids and parents had taken time off. This is too short notice. We have only two days to say if we are going or not. Ridiculous!’’
Teams have until Thursday to decide about attending.
Marist coach JimO’Neil, who made state as a high schooler, messagedMonday: ‘‘ I will not be able to make it. Assistant coaches will likely help out instead. Not sure on the anglers yet.’’
NilesWest coach Bill
Pistorius, who advanced both boats to state, emailed Tuesday: ‘‘ NO! I just finished a Google chat with Kurt Gibson of the IHSA. NilesWest will not be able to make those new dates.’’
Grant coach David Blanke emailed Monday: ‘‘ I didn’t see the email from the IHSA until 9 this evening, so I’ve been frantically trying to make arrangements. I’m not sure if our captain can get off work.’’
In IHSA bass- fishing events, an adult captain— usually a relative, coach or club fisherman— must run the boat.
Nick Langton, who helped found Glenbard North’s fishing team when he was a student and now helps coach it, messagedMonday: ‘‘ My anglers will be able to [ take part], not me or [ coach] Eric [ Stark].’’
The Panthers will have a boat captained by a parent.
On the other hand, the date switch takes away some conflicts. The High School National Championship was set for June 20- 24 on Kentucky Lake in Tennessee. Illinois’ only All- American, Buffalo Grove’s
Tyler Lubbat, thought he would be forced tomiss state.
When he heard about the IHSA date change, he messaged Monday, ‘‘ Yes, it is awesome!’’
Plainfield South also was going to lose two top anglers and a coach to the national championship. Now, they should be available for state.
Naperville North coach
Humberto Gonzalez found some joy in the switch. Ty
Konrad, an underclassman, was going to miss state because of a conflict with national soccer. Instead, he will be able to fish with his upperclassman brother, Mitch.
‘‘ We are very fortunate that our bass team raised enough money to purchase our own team boat this year, so there is no scheduling problems with a boat,’’ Gonzalez emailedMonday.
But most attitudes are closer to what Vernon Hills coach
DougDusthimer emailed Monday: ‘‘ I just sent out the new info to the kids, the assistant coach, the athletic director and his administrative assistant whomanages the paperwork for themileage and hotel accommodations. I just got everything set today, and now those plans have been blown up.’’
At some point, the IHSA owes anglers, coaches and families a venue change. This is the eighth time in nine years the state finals have been postponed, delayed or shortened at Carlyle.
Stray cast
The late Jimmy Piersall was most like a gar: memorable mouth, edges, prehistoric and precisely made to be him.