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Bass Fishing: Mara wraps up a career with memories
Hinsdale Central seniors Austin Laniosz (left) and Nichole Mara weigh on of their nine fish caught over the weekend at the state bass fishing tournament. | Courtesy Bob Barber.
Updated: June 11, 2012 9:09AM
Nichole Mara has never forgotten her first bass fishing sectional four years ago. She caught a carp and didn’t come close to advancing to the state meet.
That changed over Mara’s career as the only girl on the Hinsdale Central bass fishing team. The Darien resident loves fishing and missed her senior prom Saturday to compete in the IHSA’s fourth annual state meet at downstate Lake Caryle.
You can call Hinsdale Central a bass fishing juggernaut for the Chicago area in a sport taylor-made for downstate schools. The Red Devils were one of three schools in the state to field two boats in the state meet, joining Goreville and Highland. Highland’s No. 1 boat won the state championship with a two-day winning haul of 27 pounds, 13 ounces.
The top suburban boat from the Chicago area belonged to Napeville Central (25-7), which finsished fifth.
Mara and fellow senior Austin Laniosz, who appeared in his third state meet, placed 29th with a nine-fish total of 19-15. Each boat was allowed to weigh their five biggest fish. Mara and Laniosz were in Hinsdale Central No. 2 in a boat driven by Mara’s father, Larry.
Hinsdale Central No. 1 with Brian Liss and John Flaherty, driven by coach Bob Barber, finished 38th (18-3 for nine fish) out of 56 boats.
On the first day, Mara caught all five fish for Hinsdale Central No. 2, weighing 13-6.
“A lot of people were coming up to me, to congratulate me and stuff like that,” Mara said.
Unfortunately, the highlight of the weekend for Mara might have been the fish pulled in Thursday’s pre-fishing round, weighing 5-15.
Hinsdale Central has been able to send bass fishing teams to the state meet for the last three years.
