For me, fishing has become a lifestyle. I have been fishing all my life but only began fishing competitively in my freshman year of high school. From then on, along with my teammate, I’ve made exceptional progress, winning Conference, winning the IBN State Championship, and multiple top 10
finishes. Throughout my life, my dad has been there for me, encouraging strong academics and a team orientation in my sports (he coached baseball for my brother and me and is currently my fishing team head coach), always mentoring, redirecting, forgiving, and celebrating not just my accomplishments, but who I am. My Dad has taught me to take positives not just from victories, but sometimes more importantly, from defeats. I wouldn’t be who and where I am today without him. Fishing has transformed from a simple hobby to spending up to 40 hours a week on the water, always striving to improve my craft. It has made me who I am today, both as a person as well as a competitor. I’ve been extremely blessed to have been given the opportunity to fish for the United States. I am honored to be able to wear my country’s flag with pride during my time in Zimbabwe. I will have one single goal in mind: Bring home the Gold!