Student reels in unique scholarship

As the Willow Springs School District and neighboring schools celebrate young athletes for scholarships, one Willow Springs Bear stands out among his peers. The reason behind this particular student getting a full-fledged article for an athletic scholarship is because it's a unique one. Ian Kurtz will be attending Drury University in the fall on a fishing scholarship.

 

Kurtz, who is set to graduate from Willow Springs High School this May, will begin his collegiate endeavors in August, majoring in Environmental Biology. The fishing scholarship will cover entry fees, gas, lodging, food and other travel expenses for fishing tournaments as the school's fishing team is set to travel all over the country to various fishing tournaments. The Bass Fishing Team is coached by Rick Emmitt, who is in his ninth season with Drury University. According to the school's website, Drury launched bass fishing as one of the four non-NCAA sports in the Spring of 2015. Kurtz will be joining fishermen from Lebanon, DeSoto, Purdy, and Rogersville, Mo.

 

Kurtz explained that he's not the first in the area to get a fishing scholarship but, "I feel very honored to have this opportunity."

 

Kurtz is no stranger to the outdoors as he's been fishing all his life. "I enjoy being out in nature and everything about fishing." He became serious about fishing during his eighth-grade year when he joined the Willow Springs Teen Anglers. Over the years, Kurtz has won Big Bass at NYFA Fall Shootout and has qualified for the NYFA State Champion three years in a row. His favorite place to fish is Table Rock Lake in Branson, Mo.

 

After college, Kurtz plans to apply to the Missouri Department of Conservation Training Academy to become a conservation agent.