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DITCO employee leads high school bass fishing

  • Published
  • By Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Scott Sautman, Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization contract specialist, coached one of Highland High School's prep angler's teams at the first sanctioned prep fishing tournament event in the nation.
The school fielded two teams, with each team being comprised of two students fishing from one boat and an adult to drive the outboard motor. For this tournament, Mr. Sautman drove one of the boats. Mr. Sautman is well-qualified for such a role, having won more than 75 tournaments on area lakes in the past 10 years. 

  The HHS bass team, known as the Bulldogs, took part in the 10-team Coffeen Lake Sectional, one of 17 sectionals across the state in the inaugural Illinois High School Association Bass Fishing State Series. The Bulldogs captured two of the top three spots at the sectional. Mr. Sautman's boat team members were Phillip Barker, Taylor Wieser and alternate, Jordan Mettler. Their five fish limit, weighing 9.34 lbs., gave them a third place finish in the sectional tournament and qualified them to accompany the second Highland team for the IHSA Inaugural Bass Fishing State Finals May 8-9 at Carlyle Lake. At the state championship, the Bulldogs finished eighth and 15th in the 52 boat field. Although a very respectable finish, the HHS Bass Team is eager to come back next year in its quest for the top ranks. 

Carla Grapperhaus, HHS, said Mr. Sautman "has devoted a great deal of volunteer time to this team. His soft spoken manner, incredible patience with beginners and in-depth knowledge of fishing has made him a wonderful asset to this team."