Two young Buchanan County anglers proved they can compete with the nation’s best, earning a top-20 finish at the 2026 TBF Junior World Championship on July 29-31 at Lake Dardanelle in Arkansas.
Breese Bostic and Easton Stevens, representing the Castaway Lip Rippers club, placed 18th out of 79 teams at the prestigious national tournament. The duo weighed in six fish over two days for a combined weight of 16 pounds, 7 ounces.
The championship brought together many of the country’s top youth anglers and tested competitors with four consecutive days of fishing in temperatures topping 100 degrees.
Serving as boat captain for the Buchanan County team was Chad Stevens, assistant principal at Southern Gap High School. Following the tournament, Stevens praised the determination and work ethic displayed by the two young anglers throughout the week.
“We wrapped up the TBF Junior World Championship today with a solid 18th place finish out of a 79-boat field on Lake Dardanelle in Arkansas,” Stevens said. “The boys fished four consecutive days in 100+ degree heat, never giving up or complaining despite being on their feet all day. I even had to force them to take a break to eat.”
Stevens said the tournament reinforced his confidence in the future of youth fishing in Buchanan County.
“There are no words for how proud I am of these boys or how excited I am for youth and high school fishing in Buchanan County,” he said. “These boys proved they could hang in there. The future is bright.”
He also thanked the many sponsors who helped make the trip possible.
“I would like to thank all of the sponsors who helped pave the way for Breese and Easton to chase their dream,” Stevens said.
For Stevens, the experience was about much more than the final standings.
“Fishing has always been a big part of my life,” he said. “Sharing this moment with my son and Breese as their boat captain meant so much to me! The memories we made on this trip will always have a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to see what these boys do next season.”
Bostic and Stevens improved as the tournament progressed. After bringing in 5 pounds, 9 ounces on the opening day, the pair responded with 10 pounds, 14 ounces on the second day to secure their top-20 finish.
The national championship featured some of the top youth anglers in the country. Parker Smith and Cooper Anderson of Scotts Hill Jr. Anglers captured the championship with a two-day total of 26 pounds, 12 ounces. Gunner Robbins and Drew Smith of the Upper Cumberland Junior Bass Club finished second with 24 pounds, 4 ounces, while Hagan Hay and Hank Rowton of the North Louisiana Jr. Fishing League placed third at 23 pounds, 15 ounces. Brooks Beaty and Caleb Coburn of Calvary Baptist Academy Jr. Cavaliers finished fourth with 23 pounds, 5 ounces, and Easton Ovens and Coy Ebrahim of 863 Jr. Anglers rounded out the top five with 23 pounds, 1 ounce.
