FLORENCE, AL (6/9/2020) – Entering the final event of the season for the Association of Collegiate Anglers, the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on Pickwick Lake, each team in the Top 5 for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia mathematically has a chance at being crowned college fishing’s best team.
Only 1,925 points separate fifth place from first, and some of the most loaded programs in college fishing comprise that Top 5.
The goal for each school will be to place their two best teams as high as possible in the standings to capitalize on the double points opportunity and etch their name in the history books as a School of the Year winner.
Sitting in first place entering the Championship is McKendree University. The Bearcats won this title in 2019, and they are looking to become just the second team ever to win School of the Year in back-to-back years. “We are all extremely competitive and are far from satisfied with just one title,” said team member Bailey Bleser. “To have the opportunity to earn back-to-back SOY titles is unbelievable.”
McKendree has five total boats registered to compete in the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops. 1,500 total points will be awarded to the winner of the event, and the maximum number of points one individual school can earn is 2,980. This means that if McKendree can come away with a minimum of 1,960 points, they are guaranteed to be crowned the School of the Year again in 2020. “I’m most definitely looking forward to the opportunity of holding the School of the Year trophy again. It’s what we worked for all year long, and the thought of repeating only makes us want it more,” added McKendree angler, Tyler Christy.
Trailing close behind in second place is the University of Montevallo. The Alabama based school sits just 1,020 points out of the top spot. “To be in the position we are now, being second in SOY with the Championship coming up in June, is something that every fisherman on our team has had on their minds to achieve all year long,” said Montevallo angler Mason Waddell. “We are one good finish out of clinching the title, and this is something that would mean more than anything to our team.” Montevallo enters this event with a lot of momentum and has an experienced group of anglers that are very knowledgeable of this fishery. Look for the Falcons to make a strong run for the School of the Year title this week. Read more.
