Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

Benton junior Laindree Richardson has been selected to the 12-member Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team.

B.A.S.S. received more than 300 nominations representing 34 states. From those initial nominations, the organization selected 47 students as Bassmaster All-State anglers, of which Richardson was the lone pick in Illinois.

Those 47 All-State selections provided the pool to choose from for the All-American team. After considering tournament résumés, conservation efforts, community service activities and recommendations from school officials and coaches, a panel of judges consisting of representatives from the sportfishing industry, media and conservation groups further narrowed the field to the Top 12 high school anglers in the country.

On the water, Richardson posted two first-place finishes, as well as three Top 5 finishes and four Top 20 finishes in the 2020 tournament season. She has competed at every single Bassmaster High School Open in the past three years.

Richardson, who plans to attend Wabash Valley College after graduation, has made an impact off the water as well. “Though Laindree loves to fish, she loves her community even more,” says Lacey Hagerman, Benton Consolidated High School English teacher. “When COVID unexpectedly hit our country in March of last year, Laindree worked to sew over 3,000 masks. She then donated these masks to hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, navy squadrons, youth detention facilities and to local schools. Laindree is the type of strong, female role model that little girls need. She is selfless and unafraid to face new challenges.”

Richardson and the other All-American selections have been invited to compete in the Bassmaster High School All-American Tournament, which will be held in early May at Neely Henry Lake in Gadsden, Alabama. The event will be held in conjunction with the 2021 Bassmaster Elite. Each All-American will be paired with an Elite Series pro for a one day competition.