Editor’s Note: This piece was also posted in the Benet Herald 2023 Graduation Edition.

Benet Academy has officially restarted the Bass Fishing Team. After the team was disbanded due to Covid, Coach Grigas and Coach Maggio opened the team back up, and led them to an extremely successful season. Their goal, as coaches, has been to provide students with a love for fishing and nature and an opportunity to follow their passion. The Bass Fishing Team had two practices this year. They were both held at the Lisle High School ponds. Coach Grigas commented that these practices were a great way to have fun, hang out, and teach new members to fish. The Benet team consisted of eight students. Two seniors, Kevin Lynch and Harrison Bavone, had the pleasure of going down to the Cal-Sag Channel in Worth, Illinois to compete for the ISHA Sectional Title. Kevin Lynch exclaimed, “The trip was electric, Harrison and I were having the most fun we could.” The teams competed on the Cal-Sag Channel from 7 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. At 2:00 p.m., all the fish were brought on shore and weighed. From there, the three teams that caught the most bass were awarded the Sectional Title and advanced to State. Although Benet did not qualify, they are still looking forward to next year. Coach Grigas expressed that the team always has a fair shot at State, and have attended the tournament in the past. The coaches aspire to double the number of athletes on the team next year, and have more fishing days available for the 2023-2024 season. While Bass Fishing may not be the most common sport at Benet, it does seem to be a lot of fun! Harrison Bavone summed up his experience, by quoting Sir Izaak Walton: “A bad day at fishing is better than a good day at work.” This truly exhibits how enjoyable it is to participate on the Benet Bass Fishing team.