Tigers Finish 3rd in the State at IHSA Championships
May, 2023--Ten years ago, the Wheaton Warrenville South Fishing Team earned an IHSA trophy for the top-three finish at the State Championships. This year, the Tigers once again earned a trophy by finishing 3rd place out of 80+ boats! The team was lead by Brandon Carstens (Sr.) and Nathan Vassios (Fr.). Congrats to Brandon and Nathan for this impressive accomplishment! Tiger Nation is proud!
IHSA Sectional Champions Again!
May, 2023--Wheaton Warrenville South has qualified for the IHSA State Tournament for the 11th time in 14 years! Brandon Carstens (Sr.) and Nathan Vassios (Fr.) won the tournament on the Cal-Sag Waterway. The Tigers have won tournaments on Lake Shabbona, Braidwood, and Cal-Sag this spring. This is the 6th Sectional title in program history. The team is undefeated on the season and will head to the IHSA State Championships in Carlyle, IL.
DuKane Conference Champions!
April, 2023--The Tigers captured the DuKane Conference Championship at Braidwood Lake anchored by an impressive "Big Bass" award winning 5lb. 3 oz. bass caught by Senior Colin Jamin. The team of Jamin and Adam Dorn (Sr.) took the title, while the team of Brandon Carstens (Sr.) and Nathan Vassios (Fr.) earned third place.
5-Time IHSA Sectional Champions!
May, 2021--Wheaton Warrenville South has qualified for the IHSA State Tournament! This is the 5th Sectional title in program history and the 9th time the Tigers have qualified for IHSA State Finals out of the 12 tournaments the IHSA has hosted. The winning team of Colin Jamin (So.) and Adam Dorn (So.) continued to upgrade after culling fish midday to catch 9lb. 13oz. at Busse Woods Main Pool. Congrats to Colin, Adam, and Boat Captain Welsch; this crew also earned runner-up in the DuKane Conference. Good luck at State!
WWS SUMMER BASS CAMP!?
March, 2019--Want to learn to fish? Already love fishing, but looking to connect with other anglers and catch a new personal best? This summer, the WWS Fishing Club is offering a unique summer recreation opportunity for students in grades 6-12. Fishing Camp will be July 24th-28th. We will transport students to area ponds and lakes and teach them knot tying; fishing & lure identification; casting tips & skills competition; and fishing etiquette & conservation. More information available at wwshs.org.
8 is Great! SOUTH ANGLERS QUALIFY FOR STATE!
May, 2019--Wheaton Warrenville South has qualified for the IHSA State Tournament! This is the 8th time in the 11 year history of the Illinois High School Bass Fishing Championships. The Tiger's top finish at State was 2nd place in 2013. This year's tournament will be held in Carlyle, Illinois on May 17th and 18th. Good luck to Mike Banigan (Fr.), Lance Haack (Jr.), and Nick McGrath (Jr.).
NEWS: WWS AWARDED 2018 LEW'S FISHING GRANT!
May, 2018--Lew's Fishing is known for making exemplary fishing products; their rods and reels are quality personified. They have generously awarded a grant to the WWS Team. The team is thrilled to obtain a dozen fishing rods! The team would like to thank Lew's Fishing for their wonderful and thoughtful grant. Their rods and reels are simply the best on the market today! The WWS anglers plan to utilize the donations at casting clinics and club sponsored tournaments. The group also intends to loan the equipment to local agencies when appropriate for various fishing and casting activities for youth in the community. If you are looking for a new rod and reel, the WWS Fishing Team encourages you to buy the best--Lew's!
TIGER ALUM JOINS COACHING STAFF
April, 2018--We are thrilled to welcome Chris Bulaw to the WWS coaching staff! Chris Bulaw is the most accomplished fisherman in South team history--amassing multiple tournament wins in high school and college, including the IHSA state runner-up finish in 2013. Chris is well known for his YouTube channel; he has nearly 200,000 subscribers! It is highly informative and entertaining; subscribe! Chris will captain a team boat for the IHSA Sectional Tournament on May 7th. www.youtube.com/channel/UCIpAWyxDLYrFf6bpLRbZbNw
TIGERS HOST 2018 DVC CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
April, 2018--Wheaton Warrenville South hosted The DuPage Valley Conference Tournament at Braidwood Lake on Friday, April 27, 2018. This is the fourth annual DVC Tournament. Plaques were awarded for "Big Fish" and team champion. Congrats to Naperville North High School for their winning bag of 13 lbs. 7 oz.; their big fish was 6 lbs. 4 oz. Lake Park High School was 2nd with 10 lbs. 4oz., and Wheaton Warrenville South was 3rd with 9 lbs. 14 oz. This is the 2nd time WWS has hosted the DVC Tournament. They will join the new Dukane Conference in the fall, and the team is scheduled to host the 2019 tournament next year.
LUCKY #7: SOUTH QUALIFIES FOR STATE AGAIN!
May, 2017-The IHSA will host the 9th annual Illinois State Bass Fishing Tournament, and for the 7th time the Tigers of Wheaton Warrenville South will be there. In a dramatic weigh-in, Senior Nick Trusso and Freshman Nick McGrath squeaked out the final qualifying spot at the Busse South Pool Sectional. Nick McGrath is a member of a very talented freshmen/sophomore group of anglers. This marks Nick Trusso's third time qualifying for the IHSA State Tournament; he plans on fishing for his college club team in the fall.
WWS Finishes 6th in 2015 Berkley Fishing Challenge
June, 2015--The Wheaton Warrenville South Bass Fishing Team finished 6th in the nation in the Berkley Fishing Challenge. The service contest featured teams from around the country. Sanger High School (TX) earned the top spot, but the Tigers of Wheaton Warrenville South earned top-honors in the state of Illinois. Wheaton Warrenville South earned points for community service projects and team events, which included volunteering at an ice-fishing tournament; conducting shore-line clean-up; teaching students skills in knot-tying and casting; and promoting fishing in the school and community. We are very proud of the number of hours club members volunteered in the community in 2015! Keep up the great work Tigers.
FISHING TIGERS WIN SECTIONAL TITLE AND QUALIFY FOR 2015 STATE!
May, 2015--For the 4th time in seven season, the Wheaton Warrenville South Bass Fishing Team has won the IHSA Sectional Tournament. The student team of Nick Trusso (SOPH); Lintaro Kajiwara (JR); and Logan Passi (JR) won the Sectional title at Busse Woods by boating a 5 fish limit of 7lbs 13 oz--edging out 2nd place Hinsdale Central by 1 ounce. The top three teams advance to the IHSA State finals where they will compete for the state championship. Wheaton Warrenville South is one of the few schools in the state of Illinois to win the sectional tournament four times. Great job Tigers!
TIGERS NAMED 2014 PLANO-FRABILL ILLINOIS TEAM OF THE YEAR!
April 22nd, 2014--The Wheaton Warrenville South Bass Fishing Team has been named the 2014 Plano-Frabill Illinois Team of the Year. The award was announced to the 2014 tournament team members in a surprise ceremony in the Wheaton Warrenville South Auditorium. Principal Claypool congratulated the team on their recent conference championship and then wished them well at their upcoming sectional tournament. Then a curtain opened to reveal the hosts of The Fishing & Outdoor Radio Show who complimented the team before awarding them with over $5000 in prizes. The Mayor of Warrenville was also in attendance to read a proclamation to the fishing squad. The Wheaton Warrenville South Bass Fishing Team earned the award for promoting fishing and conservation in the school and community. Coach Craig Lawrence said, "We are truly honored and deeply moved by this award. This will change the future of our program and help our young men and women on the team become better anglers and greater advocates for this life-long activity." There will be a party for all club members to enjoy in this celebration at an upcoming club meeting. The team extends their gratitude to The Fishing & Outdoor Radio Show and to the corporate sponsors who made this award possible. Words cannot express how thankful the team is to be honored in this way.
WWS Bass Fishing Wins 2014 Conference Tournament!
April 20th, 2014--The Tigers hosted the first-ever Dupage Valley Conference Fishing Tournament at Silver Lake (Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, IL) yesterday, and team won the event. Fish were caught by Lintaro Kajiwara, Nick Trusso, and Logan Passi; other tournament team members were Jon Stehlik, Qarin Johnnic, and Matt Larson. Special thanks to the DVC coaches, activities directors and participants. Also, thank you to the Dupage County Forest Preserve members who assisted with the organization of this tournament.
TIGERS FINISH 2ND AT 2013 IHSA STATE TOURNAMENT!
2013 IHSA State weigh-in; 11lbs 10 oz.
State Qualifiers in 2009 - 2010 - 2011 - 2013
For the fourth time in five years, the WWS Bass Fishing Team competed at the IHSA State Bass Fishing Tournament in Carlyle, Illinois. Led by senior Chris Bulaw (3-time qualifier) and freshmen Lintaro Kajiwara, the team finished in 2nd place. The boys caught their limit early in the day and culled four fish. Despite a short rain delay and less than ideal conditions, the team weighed a five fish limit of largemouth bass (11 lbs 10 oz.) with their big bass weighing in at 3 lbs 10 oz. That put them in 2nd place, behind Morton High School (13 lb 4 oz) and ahead of Niles Notre Dame (10 lb 14 oz.). Day 2 of the tournament was canceled due to strong storms. Special thanks to the IHSA, the city of Carlyle, and all who contributed to a great tournament.
For more details about the IHSA State Bass Fishing Tournament, go to www.ihsa.org.
For the fourth time in five years, the WWS Bass Fishing Team competed at the IHSA State Bass Fishing Tournament in Carlyle, Illinois. Led by senior Chris Bulaw (3-time qualifier) and freshmen Lintaro Kajiwara, the team finished in 2nd place. The boys caught their limit early in the day and culled four fish. Despite a short rain delay and less than ideal conditions, the team weighed a five fish limit of largemouth bass (11 lbs 10 oz.) with their big bass weighing in at 3 lbs 10 oz. That put them in 2nd place, behind Morton High School (13 lb 4 oz) and ahead of Niles Notre Dame (10 lb 14 oz.). Day 2 of the tournament was canceled due to strong storms. Special thanks to the IHSA, the city of Carlyle, and all who contributed to a great tournament.
For more details about the IHSA State Bass Fishing Tournament, go to www.ihsa.org.
Picture 1: Coach Lawrence, Coach Tang, Lintaro Kajiwara (Fr.) and Chris Bulaw (Sr.) at the Day 1 weigh-in at the IHSA State Tournament on May 31st, 2013.
Picture 2: Kajiwara and Bulaw with the IHSA State Runner-Up trophy at Carlyle High School after the awards ceremony on June 1, 2013. The Tigers have won three sectional championships, but this is the first state trophy and greatest tournament performance for the Wheaton Warrenville South Bass Fishing Team.
Picture 2: Kajiwara and Bulaw with the IHSA State Runner-Up trophy at Carlyle High School after the awards ceremony on June 1, 2013. The Tigers have won three sectional championships, but this is the first state trophy and greatest tournament performance for the Wheaton Warrenville South Bass Fishing Team.
About WWS Bass Fishing
First Cast
The Wheaton Warrenville South Bass Fishing Team started in 2008-2009 as one of the original teams in the Illinois High School Association's inaugural State Championship. The mission of the club is "to promote the joys of fishing in the school and community." Our coaching staff aims to share our love for the outdoors while teaching club members fishing techniques, conservation, and sportsmanship.
The team meets throughout the year, but organized practices are held each week January-May. Students learn about fishing patterns, knots, gear, and casting. Early season practices include time in the gym practicing pitching and flipping. Once the lakes are clear of ice, we move outside and fish each week. Our home lakes are Silver Lake (Warrenville) and Herrick Lake (Wheaton).
Tournament History
The WWS Bass Fishing Club fishes in local, regional, and state tournaments. The tournaments range from small tournaments from shore to multi-day tournaments featuring 50+ teams. In the team's first year in competition, we won the 2009 IHSA Sectional Championship and advanced to the state tournament. That team was led by Captains Kyle Vandermey (Sr.) and Scott Nuzzo (Jr.). The team repeated as Sectional Champions in 2010 under the student leadership of Scott Nuzzo and newcomer Chris Bulaw (Fr.). Bulaw fished in the state tournament as a freshmen and sophomore, and served as the team Captain in 2011. He then served as the team's Senior Captain, and led the team in three tournaments, including a first-place team finish at Stage I of the Streamwood Diamond League Series in 2012. The team placed 2nd at the 2013 IHSA State Tournament, and have qualified for state five times in the six year history of the tournament. The team also hosted and won the inagural conference tournament for the Dupage Valley Conference.
The Wheaton Warrenville South Bass Fishing Team started in 2008-2009 as one of the original teams in the Illinois High School Association's inaugural State Championship. The mission of the club is "to promote the joys of fishing in the school and community." Our coaching staff aims to share our love for the outdoors while teaching club members fishing techniques, conservation, and sportsmanship.
The team meets throughout the year, but organized practices are held each week January-May. Students learn about fishing patterns, knots, gear, and casting. Early season practices include time in the gym practicing pitching and flipping. Once the lakes are clear of ice, we move outside and fish each week. Our home lakes are Silver Lake (Warrenville) and Herrick Lake (Wheaton).
Tournament History
The WWS Bass Fishing Club fishes in local, regional, and state tournaments. The tournaments range from small tournaments from shore to multi-day tournaments featuring 50+ teams. In the team's first year in competition, we won the 2009 IHSA Sectional Championship and advanced to the state tournament. That team was led by Captains Kyle Vandermey (Sr.) and Scott Nuzzo (Jr.). The team repeated as Sectional Champions in 2010 under the student leadership of Scott Nuzzo and newcomer Chris Bulaw (Fr.). Bulaw fished in the state tournament as a freshmen and sophomore, and served as the team Captain in 2011. He then served as the team's Senior Captain, and led the team in three tournaments, including a first-place team finish at Stage I of the Streamwood Diamond League Series in 2012. The team placed 2nd at the 2013 IHSA State Tournament, and have qualified for state five times in the six year history of the tournament. The team also hosted and won the inagural conference tournament for the Dupage Valley Conference.
Club Outings
Aside from learning about fishing via classroom sessions and competing against other high school teams in tournaments, the WWS Bass Fishing team also has social outings including fishing at area lakes, visits from fishing experts, and off campus field-trips. Joining the club is a great way to learn how to catch fish and meet new friends.
Members of the WWS Bass Fishing Team at a club outing at Bass Pro Shops in Bolingbrook, IL. Team members were able to enjoy a private training workshop and some time purchasing fishing gear for the upcoming season. *Special Thanks to Bass Pro Shops for their hospitality.
A video of the weigh-in at the 2009 Sectional Championships in Schaumburg, IL. Congrats Kyle on a job well done!
Aside from learning about fishing via classroom sessions and competing against other high school teams in tournaments, the WWS Bass Fishing team also has social outings including fishing at area lakes, visits from fishing experts, and off campus field-trips. Joining the club is a great way to learn how to catch fish and meet new friends.
Members of the WWS Bass Fishing Team at a club outing at Bass Pro Shops in Bolingbrook, IL. Team members were able to enjoy a private training workshop and some time purchasing fishing gear for the upcoming season. *Special Thanks to Bass Pro Shops for their hospitality.
A video of the weigh-in at the 2009 Sectional Championships in Schaumburg, IL. Congrats Kyle on a job well done!