TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
friends, or with your family. However, tournament fishing can get expensive, so we are so thankful to Coach Stanford and all our sponsors for helping out with entry fees, meals, lodging, etc.” Many of our Texarkana student-athletes feel the support they need through the cheers of the crowd, the beat of the band, and the chants from the cheerleaders. But what about our anglers? If your heart is led to support these young men and women, you may ask, “How can I cheer on and support these students?” In truth, our beloved city has many students longing to fish who can’t because they don’t have a boat captain. If you love to fish or simply enjoy being in nature, consider signing up to guide these students. If you are retired, what a great opportunity to take a few weekends out of the year and pour into young people—offering your wisdom, time, and love of the outdoors. If time is limited, but you own a boat, that is helpful, too. Local fishing teams in the community are always in need of boats, as well as fishing rods, life jackets, and lures. And of course, financial support is always appreciated to help cover the costs of boat gas, lodging, meals, tournament entry fees, and jerseys. Businesses can even sponsor teams by adding their logo to the team jerseys. In return, these young anglers give back. For example, Pleasant Grove’s fishing team participates in community events like Fishing with Pleasant Grove Anglers and CAST (Catch a Special Thrill), a foundation that serves special needs and disadvantaged children. Fiona and Ivy Meadows, Pleasant Grove’s first female fishing team, joined the organization not necessarily for the money or the title, but for the love of the sport. Fiona reflects, “I joined the fishing team because fishing is something I have always enjoyed doing in my free time, but I never thought I would do it competitively. When I discovered that Pleasant Grove was starting a fishing team, I was excited to join and fish with my sister as partners.” Denver Dennard and Ethan Jones, fishing partners for Texas High, have found great success over the past three years. Just this season alone, both anglers earned $3,250 in college scholarships, winning first place at Lake Palestine, third at Lake Fork, fifth at both Bob Sandlin and Lake Tawakoni, and ninth again at Lake Palestine. The talented duo was named 2025 Anglers of the Year in the THSBA Northeast Division. They competed in the state competition on May 30. After placing first at Bob Sandlin and second at Lake O’ the Pines, Texas High teammates Eli Driver, Zach Fulmer, and Eli Dempsey also competed at the state level on Lake Conroe. Though Pleasant Grove and Liberty-Eylau are new to the fishing circuit, both schools experienced success this year. Liberty-Eylau’s anglers James Crain and Jaylon Blackwell placed sixth at Millwood Lake, while Gavin Goben and James Cherry took first in the 2-Day Championship at Wright Patman Lake. Pleasant Grove’s Graham and Grayson Whitlock earned fifth place at Caddo Lake, and their teammates Monte Phelps and Kylan Edwards secured eighth place at Wright Patman Lake. No matter which high school they represent, Texarkana’s anglers can rest assured that this city is cheering them on. We wish you tight lines, smooth casts, and the kind of catch that makes it all worth it. May your lines hook a big one.
Fiona and Ivy Meadows— Pleasant Grove’s first female fishing team, joined the organization for the love of the sport.
Pleasant Grove Fishing Team members Braxton Epps, Luke Leverett, Cason Bates, Ashton Baumgardner, Brody Bass, Jaxson Cowling, Maxwell Turner, and Sam Prewitt pose with Texas Game Wardens.
Carter Spinks enjoys fishing with Pleasant Grove Anglers, an outreach program for kids who want to experience the sport.
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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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