ANDERSON, S.C. — Catawba Valley Community College angler Grant Harris is competing this week at the B.A.S.S. Nation National Championship on Lake Hartwell.
Harris, who was the top North Carolina co-angler at the B.A.S.S. Nation Southeast Regional tournament on Douglas Lake in Tennessee earlier this year, is competing against 65 anglers from across the world for a chance to reach the Bassmaster Classic.
Harris' national tournament appearance this week is a culmination of two years of hard work that he's put into perfecting his craft on the water.
"Two years ago when I started fishing competitively at Catawba Valley Community College, I could never have imagined that I would be in the position that I am in today getting ready to compete on such a big stage with anglers from all over the country," Harris said. "It is an incredible opportunity to represent the state of North Carolina and CVCC and compete in a sport that has challenged me in so many ways."
Six current and former Red Hawk anglers, including Harris and teammates Dalton Eurey, Chase Martin, Lane Bailey, Nathan Dellinger and assistant coach John Mayo, made the North Carolina B.A.S.S. Nation state team earlier this year.
These six anglers competed against not only collegiate anglers, but professional anglers from across the state in order to make the team.
"Making the North Carolina state team is not an easy task," said Red Hawk bass fishing head coach Angela Mayo. "We compete against all B.A.S.S Nation anglers — not just college anglers — from across the state in three separate qualifying tournaments and only the top three boaters and top three co-anglers from each tournament make it. CVCC had six anglers to qualify this year. That is truly a testament to the strength of this program. Without the support of CVCC President Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, Athletic Director Nick Schroeder, the CVCC Foundation and all of Red Hawk Nation, these anglers would never have had the opportunity to fish these tournaments, and Grant certainly would not be at the national championship right now."
Although there have been numerous Red Hawks compete at the regional level, Harris' B.A.S.S. Nation National Championship tournament appearance is the first in Red Hawk bass fishing program history.
Harris competes on Wednesday and Thursday for a chance to fish on the final day on Friday. The overall winning angler on Friday will compete in the 2024 Bassmaster Classic.
"I am so excited to have Grant representing CVCC and the state of North Carolina at the B.A.S.S. Nation National Championship," Angela Mayo said. "He has worked hard to become the angler that he is today, and it has been a pleasure to be his coach and see him grow in the sport."
Regardless of how he does, Harris is thankful for the opportunity that he's received to compete in the bass fishing program at CVCC and for the growth he's made as an angler.
"I'm grateful for head coach Angela and assistant coach John Mayo and their willingness to bring me into the CVCC fishing team and encouraging me as I have grown as an angler," Harris said. "I'm thankful for those in this sport who have spent their time helping guide and encouraging me. I am proud to be a college North Carolina angler. I hope to represent both my state and my team well this week."