LEESBURG — The Okeechobee High School fishing team competed in the Florida Bass Nation Junior/High School tournament on Lake Harris in Leesburg on Oct. 7-8. The OHS Brahman Anglers represented Okeechobee well bringing home the top honors in the first South Trail event of the season.

First place winners Ragyn Mohney and Hunter Daniels.

The competition was fierce and the field included 180 boats with Junior/High school and collegiate teams. Hunter Daniels and Ragyn Mohney won first place with a limit of largemouth bass weighing 22.89 lbs. The duo also won the Big Bass award with 7.43 lbs. Both Hunter and Ragyn were each awarded a $500 scholarship.

Third place winners Tanner Seabolt and Finn Taylor.

Tanner Seabolt and Finn Taylor also took home $300 in scholarships for their third place finish with 17.24 lbs. Other teammates who were able to catch a 5 bass limit were Clayton Oxford and Michael Palmer with 11.31 lbs. for 30th place and Lane Davis and Korbyn Lewis with 10.6 lbs. for 34th place.

Ryan Haynes

The high school anglers accomplished all they did while grieving the loss of volunteer boat captain Ryan Haynes who tragically passed away in a construction accident just a few days before the tournament. Ryan was a great role model for the students and was excited to be a part of the team. A few teammates wore Ryan’s jersey during the tournament as a way to honor him. Some of the Brahman Anglers and volunteer captains will attend the funeral service with full military honors being held in Radford, Virginia on Oct. 13. Ryan’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the OHS Bass Club.