MaxPreps takes a look today at 10 unconventional high school sports that are sponsored either by local or state associations.
We're not saying they're odd sports, or unique sports. What we are saying is that you won't find these sanctioned sports offered in very many states.
1. Bass Fishing 
Hinsdale Central High School’s (from L to R) Abbey King, head coach Bob Barber, Austin Laniosz and Brent Phillip show off a pair of bass prior to weighing in their fish at the IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals.
Photo courtesy of Visual Image Photography
Four years ago, Illinois became the first state to sponsor a bass fishing tournament.
Highland (Ill.) won this year's tournament with a record haul of 27 pounds, 13 ounces on Carlyle Lake, about 45 minutes east of St. Louis.
"Probably six or seven years ago as a staff we began looking forward and asking ourselves what might be new events on the horizon to add," said spokesman Kurt Gibson. "We took the idea [bass fishing] to the membership. Originally, we thought around 100 schools might participate."
Officials were pleasantly surprised when 200 teams participated the first year with
Frankfort (West Frankfort, Ill.) taking home the initial trophy. Other trophies go to the second- and third-place teams and the individual who catches the largest bass.
The two-day tourney starts with a sectional on 19 lakes. Teams advance on the total weight of five fish for each day. All bait is artificial, though the Alabama Rig is outlawed because its hooks are hard on the fish and all fish must be released after they are weighed.
This year the field grew to 230 schools.
Kentucky is expected to become the second state to sanction a bass tournament.
