Won TBF Worlds with no coach, one teammate, & a shorter season than most. His grit, drive, patience, effort, & knowledge drive his success.
Thank you for supporting Nolan in this competition. Your participation made a huge impact for the Why Not You Foundation and their mission to empower change in the world, one individual at a time and one child at a time.
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Every day is a new day, every lake is a new opportunity. Early morning sunrises, the quiet and calm of being the only person on the water, contrasting with the decisions you have to make to catch big fish. Where to go first, what to use, what techniques and strategies to use. Every day learning more about the lake, fish behavior, the time of year. It's never the same twice. Catching and landing the big ones is a rush like no other.
My dad started fishing with me when I was little, and is still sometimes my boat captain. It's cool to share this with him, but being out on the water is what inspires me. The challenge of each new lake, finding the right species and size of fish, and sharing the sport with others inspires me. It's not all about the competitions, it's about sharing it with others so they enjoy it as much as I do. This sport has introduced me to people all over the world, now I'm in a position to teach others.
Our proudest moment was watching him battle through adversity on the last day of his last national tournament after he won Worlds. Watching him grind it out in the heat without his partner, casting right until the last moments, leaving just enough time to get back to check in with seconds to spare with no fish in the live well. Watching him walk across that stage without a bag, his head held high, talk about the challenges, and remain humble. That's class. That's fishing. Go out again tomorrow.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Youth Athlete of the Year, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
