SHORELINES

18 Shor e l i n e S | 2016 Vol :1 STILL DOMINATING Kanute says the number of boats competing in tournaments has grown from 60 in Hayden's first year to 250 this year. While last year's third-place finish is a sign of the stiffer competition, Kanute says Hayden can still dominate the sport. "We are a dynasty," says Kanute, a contractor for Duke Energy. "As I told them all when I graduated those last seniors in that five-year run, 'I don't think anyone else will touch this again.'" Yet, with Kanute's younger son, Justin, and Shelton's son, Tanner, both in the eighth grade, Kanute is ready for another run of titles. "When they get a couple of years under them … we can do it again. We can do it again. There's no doubt in my mind," Kanute says. Cody Armstrong, an 11th-grader, has been part of Hayden's five-year run of domination. "I've got one more year to go," he says. "I'm trying to make it last and teach everybody that I can. Really, I'm going to be a heartbroken person when I have to leave the fishing team." While the surge in high school fishing teams ultimately may mean fewer championships for Hayden, it has created more opportunities for students to attend college. College fishing also is growing like a bass fingerling, with programs offering scholarships to top high school anglers. Kanute's older son, Chase, received a fishing scholarship to Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, where he is a freshman and captain of the team. "It has exploded by leaps and bounds," Kanute says. "There are scholarship opportunities, there's recruiting. There's a national signing day. My son signed a letter of intent just like they do in football, basketball and baseball." DOMINATING PROGR AMS Mention that Hayden's fishing dominance is similar to the University of Alabama's recent run in football, and Shelton laughs. He's an Auburn fan. Ask Kanute, and it's clear he reveres Saban and what the Alabama coach has accomplished "because of being able to sustain that level of excellence." "If I could spend a 24-hour period with one person, to learn what makes them tick, that's the guy," Kanute says of Saban. "I try to set the same example. He's a great role model for student athletes. Do I say I want to be that same person? I do." What does it take to have Saban-like success coaching high school anglers? Above: Photo by K a r im sh a msi-Bash a – The Wildcats participate in service projects such as teaching kids at King's Home how to fish and volunteering at Renew Our Rivers cleanups and March of Dimes events. "WE TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM SPORTS TO THE BIBLE. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE THE CONVERSATIONS YOU'LL HAVE OUT ON THE WATER INVESTING TIME IN THESE KIDS." – C ASEY SHELTON, ONE OF THE COACHES OF HAYDEN HIGH SCHOOL'S FISHING TE A M.

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