Article by Mark Hooker
Photos Courtesy of Jamie Riley
The MISD Fishing Team had Five Teams earn State Berths in the Texas High School Bass Association State Championship on Lake Texoma this past weekend. The “Fab Five” in no particular order are, Tanner Gatewood, Zane Dixon, Jacob Riley, Brenner Kirklin, Tyler Gerbrecht, Zane Kibbey, Brendon Wade, Zach Kenny, as well as James Riley and Cooper Finch.
The first day of the tournament greeted the 185 Teams of Anglers from 110 High School Programs with above average weather. There were light winds with nice temperatures in the mornings hovering around 75 degrees. Sure, the afternoons were a bit toasty, but what Bass Fisherman in the State of Texas is not used to that!
Overall, the MISD Fishing Team represented themselves well by landing in 4th place after the first day of competition. The Team was led by Anglers of the Year from the Houston Division of the THSBA Jacob Riley and Brenner Kirklin. The pair posted a 5 fish limit that weighed 9.97 pounds, landing them in 31st place out of 185 for the first of two days of competition.
They were followed by newcomers of the year in James Riley and Cooper Finch with 4 fish weighing in at 9.87 pounds. This pair of Freshmen will be quite the duo for the next 3 years.
Also helping the cause for the Team were Seniors Tanner Gatewood and Zane Dixon. This highly successful four-year team was able to weigh in 2.03 pounds, bringing the total for MISD to 21.87 pounds, keeping the squad within striking distance for another elusive State Title.
Day two started much like the first day, with temperatures in the low 70’s at take-off time. There were higher winds and 3-to-4-foot rollers on Lake Texoma on day two, but the Team is accustomed to dealing with these adversities. Everyone knew the daunting task they had in front of them. They were looking to repeat the history set by the 2017 squad, which came back from 9 pounds down and a 4th place standing after day one at that event, to storm back and secure the Programs only State Championship.
The second day weigh-in went well for the Team, as they were able to increase their day one finish of over 21 pounds by 25 pounds for day two, finishing the event with 46.14 pounds. That was the first of three positives the Team should be proud of.
The second positive was the fact that Jacob Riley and Brenner Kirklin showed why they were the Anglers of the Year in the Houston Division. The pair brought in an impressive 5 fish limit tipping the scales at almost 16 pounds on day two. By doing so, they vaulted up the final leader board, landing in 7th place out of 185. This top 10 finish marked the only Anglers from the Houston Division, or the South Region for that matter, which had a Top 10 finish.
The Third positive from the Day Two weigh in occurred when Tanner Gatewood and Zane Dixon, as well as Cooper Finch and James Riley also brought fish to the scales on Day Two. By doing so, the MISD Fishing Team was able to retain their 4th place position from Day One in the Standings and be the 4th best Team in the State for 2025-26.
Overall, the season for the MISD Fishing Team can be characterized as nothing but a success. The Team was able to win their 11th Houston Division Title, placed 2nd at the Regional Championship, and 4th out of 110 High School Programs at the THSBA State Championship. Way to “Represent” MISD Fishing Team, way to “Represent.”