Naperville North’s bass fishing team looks to improve for next season

By Staff Writer Jennifer Fortman

There is nothing better than spending time with friends while doing what you love. This is exactly what junior Harrison Barzyk and his teammates get to do.

Barzyk is one of the newest members of NNHS’ bass fishing team.

“I’ve liked fishing since I was a kid. When I heard I could do it competitively, I signed up the first chance I got,” Barzyk said.

Bass fishing has recently become one of the more popular activities at NNHS. Junior Jake Millan says that he loves being a part of the team because fishing is especially relaxing. For him, getting to fish with friends just adds to the fun.

“I’ve always loved fishing. Being able to do it with my friends through school just made it even better,” Millan said. “Just chilling with friends down at a local pond. It’s really relaxing just throwing out a line and catching some fish.”

Jeff DiOrio, head coach of the bass fishing team, said that he likes being able to give kids at NNHS an opportunity to be involved with the school.

“We are offering an opportunity to kids that don’t have a lot of chances to compete for Naperville North. A lot of kids that we have [on the bass fishing team] might not be in a lot of the more common sports and activities so they don’t get a chance to go out and represent the school,” DiOrio said. “This gives them an opportunity to do that.”

But as enjoyable as bass fishing is for the team, it can be unpredictable due to weather. According to Barzyk, the cold front that hit Illinois early this spring proved problematic for the team.

“The season was pretty short, only a few months because of the late start we got from the cold, and it ended early because we didn’t qualify for state,” Barzyk said.

According to Barzyk, when the weather didn’t permit outdoor practices, the team got creative with indoor practice.

“When it was colder outside, we would practice casting in the large cafe. We aimed for trash cans and tables,” Baryzk said. “Once it got warmer, we were able to fish around here at places like McDowell [Lake].”

Coach DiOrio thought that the weather this season greatly impacted the readiness of the team going into the DVC tournament.

“The worst thing about it is the time of year that we do it. We start practice in February, and this year we basically had ice on the water for like 60 percent of our season so we couldn’t even practice fishing until two weeks before our DVC tournament,” DiOrio said.

According to Barzyk, the Huskies felt they had a strong performance during the state qualification tournament, event though they failed to advance.

“We got four fish, but only one keeper. It was tough to know that we fished well,” Barzyk said.

Still, Millan is hopeful that the team’s goals for next season will drive them toward success.

“I think a big goal for everyone is going down state. I think with the high skill level of our fishermen it’s a very reachable goal. Personally, I would like to bring home the gold and win it all next year,” Millan said.