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Fish Iowa! Games Target Casting Competition Finals Held
Posted: July 27, 2010

Forty-six finalists representing over 2,300 qualifiers from more than 100 schools across Iowa took aim at the state Fish Iowa! Games target casting competition on July 16 in Ames. The Fish Iowa! Games finals were a prelude to the Opening Ceremony for the Summer Iowa Games.

Qualifiers for the state competition include first, second, and third place winners from each grade in schools that hosted Fish Iowa! Games this spring. Nearly 15,000 Iowa students across the state took part in these competitions. The statewide cast off is sponsored by the Iowa Sports Foundation (d.b.a Iowa Games), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the Mid Iowa Bassmasters.

Medals were awarded for three age groups. The first place winner in each group also received a rod and reel.

Age 5-9
1st - Lucas Hand, Exline
2nd (tie) - Xzavior Brown, Stanwood
2nd (tie) - Kaden Shook, Guthrie Center

Age 10-11
1st - Caleb Chmelka, Council Bluffs
2nd - Hannah Brown, Lenox
3rd - Jordan Clark, Meservey

Age 12-16
1st - Austin Mccarville, Oelwein
2nd - Alex Burke, Dubuque
3rd - Matthew Vannatta, Guthrie Center

Fish Iowa! Games is a casting competition developed by the Iowa Sports Foundation in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The program is a fun competition where students learn to flip, pitch and cast overhand to a target. Participants receive points based on the accuracy of each casting technique. Often, it is taught as part of an introductory fishing unit. For younger students, it may be their first experience with a rod and reel. Fish Iowa! Games is in its fourth year.