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Clark Countians and others had reason to be proud earlier this year when two local teenagers – sophomore Bryce Alfrey of George Rogers Clark High School and senior Elijah Coleman of Montgomery County High School – took home first place in the 15th Annual High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship. 

Members of the community made sure they were recognized. 

Alfrey and Coleman were honored on Friday, Aug.16, at the Clark County Fish and Game Club’s clubhouse on Waterworks Road with luminaries such as Congressman Andy Barr, State Senator Greg Elkins, and State Representative David Hale in attendance. 

“I’m just glad everybody showed up here and we’re blessed to be able to win this championship,” said Coleman. “Our communities are always behind us.”

“It definitely means a lot”, said Alfrey. “It’s kind of crazy that two people like us…can get [many] people to even show up to an event like this.”

The event was provided over by John Myers, owner of Backwater Outfitters in Lexington. 

From June 19 through June 22, the championship tournament occurred at Lake Hartwell in South Carolina. 

As explained, Campbell and Alfrey were far from the only participants. 

The tournament featured 437 teams from 41 states – as well as teams from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Canada – equaling a total of 1311 participants. 

Billy Damron, who served Alfrey as GRC’s bass fishing coach, explained. 

“It is a huge accomplishment. We have been on the verge for the past five years of bringing this [championship] home to Kentucky,”  he said. “We’ve got a lot of talent here. These young boys…have done a phenomenal job.” 

Still, even up to the final minutes, it was uncertain whether the two competitors had come out on top. 

With approximately 13 pounds of fish caught during their time out on the water, it was evident they were close. 

Yet, as one of the final teams to return to the dock, they had to wait for their total to be counted. 

Before long, it was shown that they had taken home first place, besting the second-place finisher by a mere two ounces. 

The two remained humble. 

“If we’re being honest, we thought we’d already got second place,” Coleman said. 

“Once it…came out that we won, it was just a surreal experience!,” Alfrey added. 

As a testament to their accomplishment, Congressman Andy Barr – serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky’s 6th District – made an appearance and presented each of the champion competitors with a pair of American flags that had been flown over the United States Capitol building. 

Barr spoke of fishing being a pastime. 

“I represent a lot of sportsmen in the sixth district in central Kentucky, and it’s so important to the culture [and] the heritage of the people of Kentucky,” he said. “I like [fishing] because it teaches values, and these young men really are the epitome of these values. It teaches patience, it teaches persistence, [and] it teaches honesty.” 

Also speaking was Representative David Hale of the Kentucky House of Representatives’ 74th District. 

In addition to highlighting the various scholarships that Alfrey and Coleman received due to their victory, Hale presented a citation of achievement from the Kentucky House of Representatives. 

“I want to present this to you on behalf of myself as a Kentucky state legislator, and this is actually signed by myself and the Speaker of the House of Representatives [named] David Osborne,” he said. “We present this…to both of you this evening and just want to congratulate and wish you the very best.” 

Senator Greg Elkins, a Winchester native and member of the Kentucky Senate from the 28th District, spoke as well. 

He provided each of the two champions with a citation of achievement from the Kentucky Senate. 

Elkins also stated that he hopes both will accept an opportunity to be honored in Frankfort. 

“I invite them both to come to Frankfort during session, and I will recognize them on the Senate floor and allow them to be a part of the day in the Senate,” he said. “It’s a unique experience to come and be a part of [recognition on] the Senate floor…you very much deserve it [and] you’ve earned it.” 

Alfrey and Coleman, stating that each has been fishing for as long as can be remembered, demonstrated gratitude toward many in attendance. 

“This has been a dream…for all our lives,” Alfrey said. “There’s…many people [to thank]. I can probably talk here for hours.” 

“The most important person I would like to thank is the good Lord above,” Coleman said. “I’d just like to thank everybody for showing up here to support us today.”