Hartsburg-Emden Bass Fishing team finishes 35th in state competition at the IHSA Finals

[July 11, 2017]   “The IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals were awesome,” said Hartsburg-Emden Bass Fishing Coach Joe Snyder. “I’ve been fishing tournaments since 1980. I’ve fished a couple nationals and several divisional events. None of those compared to this event.”

This 'event' Snyder is talking about took place back on June 14-15 at Carlyle Lake and featured the top high school anglers from around the state of Illinois. Hard to imagine now that in the month of May the state finals were actually postponed until June because officials had to wait for the water levels to recede.

According to Snyder, this is the first year the Hartem Bass Fishing team has made it to state, but it’s actually the sixth year for bass fishing at the school. The last four years Illini Central has been a co-op with Hartem. Snyder explained the road to state this way. “Every school begins at sectionals. There were 22 sectionals this year and about thirteen teams per sectional.”

Hammel, Hayes and Rabbe ~ state anglers

The Hartem team had two boats that competed in sectionals, with only one qualifying for state, according to Snyder. Alec Hayes of Hartem joined Drew Rabbe and Adam Hammel of Illini Central in the boat that finished in the top three at sectionals in order to advance to state. The other boat finished in eighth place.

“At state, teams consist of one, two, three or four anglers of which only two may fish at any time,” said Snyder. Snyder continued to explaining the rules of state competition. “The bass must be 12” minimum. Coaches or boat captains may only make suggestions and cannot touch rods or equipment. Anglers must be able to tie their own knots, measure fish, cast lures, etc. All persons in the boat must wear floatation devices and eye protection throughout the day.”

At the state competition, the anglers fished from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. for two straight days. Snyder mentioned that Hayes fished the entire two days since he had been a part of the team for his four-year high school career. “Alec Hayes had been with me the most years, so I left him in the boat all day both days.”

Since only two anglers can fish in a boat at a time, Rabbe and Hammel each shared the other spot in the boat. “One fished one day and one fished the other day,” said Snyder of Rabbe and Hammel.

From Left to Right: Adam Hammel, Coach Joe Snyder, Drew Rabbe and Alec Hayes of the 2017 Hartsburg-Emden Bass Fishing team that finished 35th in the IHSA state tournament.

Coach Snyder with senior anglers Rabbe and Hayes

The heat and humidity zapped the energy out of all the anglers and coaches competing, but nonetheless it was a great experience at Carlyle Lake.

Snyder, who fishes a lot of tournaments on his own, was very pleased with the way the state competition was run. “A drive-thru weigh-in was conducted. If the anglers had fish to weigh, they bagged their fish, walked up on the stage and to the scales. But not before being interviewed,” he said. “Names, future plans and thank you’s were handed out. Fans and parents took photos and cheered them on.”

“Despite all the schedule changes the event came off without a hitch. It was an experience of a lifetime for these kids and coaches. No other state finals event and awards presentation is so exciting. It was quite an amazing deal for these kids,” said Snyder.

Snyder said, Hayes and Rabbe have graduated and already have future plans in place. Hayes will be attending Monmouth College on a basketball scholarship and Rabbe will join the Marines in August. "I lose two seniors, but I am looking forward to the team finishing higher next year,”

Snyder, who coached Hayes for four years in junior high track, was particularly proud to see the senior standout athlete finally reach State. “His senior year we finally got him to State in something,” Snyder said with a little laugh.

Snyder’s passion for fishing and coaching the youth is evident. His eye is already on next year and he’s anticipating a team leader stepping up. “I am looking forward to Adam Hammel leading the team next year.”

Hammel and Hayes were named Co-Anglers of the Year this past season. Chase Leininger was named Most Improved.

Snyder was very appreciative of all the support the team received this past season and cited a few thank you’s as the season came to an end. “Thanks to Kurt Gibson and his staff. I would also like to thank Hartsburg-Emden High School and Illini Central High School, Ivan and Roberta Rademaker, the Emden Community Club, the Labor Union for Bridgestone Tire in Bloomington, Scott Hammel and all the parents, friends and the anglers."

The team members on the 2017 Bass Fishing Team were: Boat Captain Jon Hodge of Leroy, Bryce Clark (Senior/Illini Central), Drew Rabbe (Senior/Illini Central), Chase Leininger (Junior/Illini Central), Adam Hammel (Sophomore/Illini Central), Brendan Wilson (Freshman/Illini Central), Alec Hayes (Senior/Hartem), Toni Coit-Kirk (Senior/Hartem) and Xavier Detmers (Junior/Hartem).

While Hartem finished 35th in state competition, it’s worth noting that 75 teams from across the state participated in the IHSA Finals. Much larger schools, particularly schools representing the Chicago suburbs, finished ahead of Hartem. Locally, Pekin, Pana and Meridian all finished just ahead of Hartem. A complete listing of the state final results is posted at IHSA.org.

Top Ten State Finishes

Buffalo Grove
Mahomet-Seymour
West Frankfort
Farmington #1
Moline
El Paso-Gridley
Tolono Unity
Minooka #1
Naperville North
Huntley

[Teena Lowery with photos all courtesy Joe Snyder]