Parker Smith and Cooper Anderson earned more than a tournament trophy at Wheeler Lake. Their 14-pound, 6-ounce catch won the Back to School Invitational and qualified them for the 2027 Bassmaster High School Classic Exhibition in Greenville, South Carolina, according to Bassmaster's September 13 report.
The Tennessee team recovered from a slow morning by finding better fish around shallower brush. Bassmaster reported that the pair moved from brush in 15 to 20 feet of water to targets in the 6- to 9-foot range as the day developed.
The result came during a weekend that also included the High School Combine and Alabama B.A.S.S. Fest in Decatur. For readers tracking youth qualification, the distinction matters: Smith and Anderson earned a place in the High School Classic Exhibition held alongside the Classic, rather than a berth in the main Bassmaster Classic field.