Jack Story skipped his high school graduation to go bass fishing and walked away with $100K
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEThe 18-year-old Georgia angler made the decision earlier this year to skip his graduation ceremony and compete in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American on Lake Murray.Looking back now, it doesn’t sound like he lost much sleep over it.Jack Story, 18, skipped his high school graduation and became the youngest-ever winner of the 43rd annual Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American Championship.
(Photo courtesy of Jack Story)During a recent interview with OutKick Outdoors, Story said he originally qualified through a regional tournament and "never really expected" to make it to the All-American.But once he found out the tournament landed on the same day as graduation, the choice was pretty simple."I was going fishing, and they could either be accommodating or not," Story said.
"Thankfully, they were very helpful with it."His school wasn’t completely thrilled, though.Story said the headmaster and others at the school "handled it about as well as they could have," even if they would have preferred to see him in a cap and gown.Still, some tried to make him reconsider."One of my teachers kind of hinted that I should be at graduation," Story said.
"But it just wasn’t even an option."Watch Jack Story's full interview with OutKick Outdoors here:Story went on to win the All-American and the $100,000 prize that came with it.He also qualified for REDCREST 2027 and the Toyota Series Championship — a pretty strong consolation prize for missing a graduation ceremony.Still, even weeks later, he said the whole thing feels surreal."It was so stressful during the tournament that I think it was a huge relief, but I also didn’t even know what to do," Story said.
"The feeling of accomplishment doesn’t even register.Looking back on it, it doesn’t feel real."The win also came with a little family bragging rights.Story’s dad previously fished the All-American and finished 34th.
So yes, beating him was somewhere on th...