Drew Dubuclet and Ben Hernandez enjoy the day in Athens, Texas

Busy students at Lake Highlands High have a new choice in clubs to join, but this one is more about kicking back and enjoying life than padding resumes. The Wildcat Fishing Club meets most Tuesdays and is open to all students – regardless of experience on the water.

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“I wanted an excuse to go fishing more with my friends and fish in tournaments,” said co-founder Drew Harman, “so what better way than to get a club going at the school.”

“It started as a dream freshman year and turned into a reality,” agreed Turner Stone, another co-founder of the group.

Seniors Harman and Stone linked up with friends Jackson Marburger and Drew Dubuclet to organize the club, which now has 16 student members – and counting. Wildcat football offensive line coach Cade Oliver serves as the faculty advisor, and multiple sponsors have already provided support, including title sponsor Sixsite, owned by LHHS grad Stephen Holley, Favorite USA, Googan Baits, NTX Custom Baits, Dobyns Rods, Titan Tungsten and Temple Fork Outfitters. More sponsors are being sought to help with jerseys, gas money for boats and cars, boats and boat drivers.

“The club is working on building a team for tournaments,” Marburger told me, “and we will bring competitive members committed to winning the tournaments at their best ability.” The group plans to enter Texas High School Bass Association tournaments in the metroplex division, meaning they’ll compete with other high school teams in the DFW area.

“The best part of being a member is being able to engage with other anglers in the community,” said Marburger, “and to build our knowledge of the sport of fishing.”

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, you can reach Oliver at cade.oliver@risd.org. You can follow the club on Instagram @lhbassfishing.

LHHS Fishing Club member Jackson Marburger shows off his catch