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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - Some favorite leisure time activities in Missouri could become high school sports.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association announced Thursday that member schools voted to allow schools to sponsor teams in bass fishing, chess, bowling and target shooting, beginning next year.

The association says it could eventually hold state championships in the events. First, at least 50 schools in at least three of the state's eight districts would have to have teams in the sports. Then member schools would decide whether to add the state championships

The Springfield News-Leader reports if the championships are approved, they would be added to the next two-year cycle.

Schools also voted to allow softball championships in the fall or spring. And track and field will add a fifth class next spring.

 

REPUBLIC, Mo. (AP) - A southwest Missouri high school teacher says the state should add bass fishing as a high school sport.

Jim Huson, a teacher at Republic High School, says a proposal to add the sport will be on the spring ballot for high school administrators. He says bass fishing would become a sport if it gets approval from 50 percent, plus one, of the administrators.

KY3-TV reports approval would allow students to fish for state and national championships.

If approved, schools could have up to two boats with two students fishing in each boat. Teams would have a five-fish limit, and the team with the five heaviest fish wins.