With growing interest in cross country and bass fishing from its students, a local high school as announced that they will offer both sports this fall.

Jason Spang, Superintendent of Mt. Pulaski Schools, points out in a survey conducted with students, bass fishing was the number one answer for sports to bring to the district. The Mt. Pulaski School Board of Education recently approved bass fishing for the next school year. 

The School Board also added cross country to its activities. Track is a popular sport among Mt. Pulaski athletes, and with the new track at Veterans Park almost completed, Spang felt cross country would be a great addition. 

It's not as easy as it may seem to add new sports to the offerings of a high school. Spang explains bass fishing is difficult in particular, with needs like coaching, boating equipment, and volunteers for driving the boats.  

Bass fishing is a recently approved IHSA-sanctioned sport as well, with interest growing across the State. Illinois was the first State in the US to offer bass fishing as a sanctioned school sport.