Woodstock North brothers Mason and Austin Nicolai took 18th at the IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals, which concluded Saturday at Lake Shelbyville in Shelbyville.
Mason, a senior, and Austin, a junior, ended the two-day meet with a total of 16 pounds, 12 ounces.
A total of 61 boats competed Friday and Saturday.
Windsor’s boat of anglers Myles Verdeyen, Hayden Porter and Heath Westendorf was first at 24 pounds, 14 ounces, well ahead of runner-up finishers Hudson VanQualen and Charles Stevens of St. Charles North (23 pounds, 1 ounces).
The Nicolai brothers were the only Northwest Herald-area representatives at state. They captured the Chain O’Lakes North Regional title at 14.47 pounds and won the Chain O’Lakes South Sectional championship with a haul of 12.71 pounds. Mason caught the biggest bass at regionals (3.38 pounds) and sectionals (4.32 pounds).
The state finals were being held at Lake Shelbyville for the first time.
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