June 30, 2025 – GROVE, Okla. — Oklahoma high school fishing teammates Colson Hayes from Owasso Prep Academy and Cade Shaffer from Rejoice etched their names into the record books this weekend, securing the highest-ever finish by an Oklahoma team at the 16th Annual Student Angler Federation High School World Finals on Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees.
With nearly 400 boats in the field from around the world, the odds were long — even in the eyes of the Oklahoma duo. “We honestly thought it was a long shot,” said Hayes. But a massive Day 2 catch of 15 pounds, 2 ounces — the biggest single-day bag of the tournament — helped turn their underdog story into a championship run.
After bringing in 10 pounds, 9 ounces on Day 1, Hayes and Shaffer stormed into the top ranks with their Day 2 performance, setting them up for a crucial third day of competition. The pair stayed focused under pressure, bringing in 10 pounds, 12 ounces on Day 3 — enough to finish in 8th place overall and qualify for the final round, a 31-team shootout for the World Championship title.
“The fish weren’t where we expected them to be on Day 3,” said Hayes. “But we scrambled and adjusted. We didn’t panic — we’ve been in that spot before.”
Their final day began with a game-time decision. “I called an audible on the way to our starting spot,” Hayes recalled. “Something told me to switch it up and start on a point we hadn’t fished all week.” That instinct paid off early, producing over 8 pounds by 8:30 a.m., including a 4-pound, 8-ounce largemouth landed by Shaffer.
By day’s end, Hayes and Shaffer posted 12 pounds, 15 ounces, bringing their tournament total to over 48 pounds and earning a second-place finish in the world championship — the best ever by an Oklahoma high school team.
Along with national and worldwide recognition, the team was awarded college scholarship offers totaling $337,000 and two championship trophies.
“This format allows for several strategies, but we just decided to fish our guts out every day,” said Hayes. “Once we made Saturday, we left it all on the water. We didn’t hold back, and we’re proud of what we accomplished.”
The historic finish places Hayes and Shaffer among the elite in high school bass fishing — and marks a milestone for Oklahoma’s presence on the national stage.
