News

 

University of Montevallo drops giants in bass fishing final

There aren't many college sports where schools of all sizes can truly be competitive against one another but fishing is one of them. That point was made again last weekend at the Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series (SCBFS) championship held on Alabama's Lake Guntersville when the University of Montevallo (Ala.) finished tops among a field that included traditional powerhouses like Auburn, Ole Miss and Georgia.

There were 10 participating schools that had qualified for the two-day championship. Each was allowed a team of up to three boats consisting of no more than two members per boat. Only the top two boat scores per school counted each day toward a team's final score.

"Our championship format is truly a team concept, just like in football, basketball and many other college sports," said Jann Swaim, faculty advisor to the hosting Auburn University Bass Sports Club. "Teams that work well together stand the best chance to win."

Fishing was good on Lake Guntersville and a team needed to have both top boats each day weighing five-fish limits of around 20 pounds each to be in contention. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) led after the first day with a team weight of 41.08 pounds, anchored by a 7.47 pound largemouth that ended up as big bass for the tournament.

Montevallo followed the leaders by only about two pounds when teammates Clent Davis and Chuck Holderfield, and Justin Harden and Casey Crumpton, brought a combined weight of 39.22 pounds to the scale. On the second and final day, the same anglers weighed-in 38.83 pounds, some 8 pounds more than the closest rival, giving them a championship total of 78.05 pounds and the trophy.

The winning anglers reported most of their fish came while casting Rapala DT10 crankbaits in mussel shell beds found in openings among the lake's aquatic vegetation.

"We've really been on a roll here lately," said Clent Davis. "We won an event three weeks ago, finished third in another tournament after that, and now have this win. I'm worn out from tearing a crankbait through Guntersville's grass but it was worth it. It's been a good year for the Montevallo team, but we're needing to get some new students onboard to fill our places when we finish up. Hopefully this win will help us with that."

It was UAB's Andrew Washington and Walter Malone, and Tim Waits and Braxton Setzer, who had a two-day total of 71.74 pounds to take second place honors back to their school.

Auburn finished third with a total team weight of 69.60 pounds. The combination of Dennis Parker and Wade Sieck, and Clay Messer and Jackson Bonner, had their day-one best score. The second day it came from Parker and Sieck again, but this time with help from teammates Richard Peek and Sam Rochell.

Swaim explained that this is only the first year for his club and this series, but the interest is there for more growth. "In Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi, we've identified around 26 schools with fishing programs. Alabama alone has at least nine. We've tried to make our events as close to true NCAA athletics as possible and we're pleased with the response we're getting. Schools of all sizes and from anywhere can participate in our tournaments, even from junior colleges, as long as they are from school-recognized fishing clubs. Although a competition, we also try to keep what we're doing here low-key and fun."

The tournament is one of several regional college bass events being held around the country in 2008 being filmed for television by Careco Multimedia. It will air this fall as part of the BoatU.S. National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship (NCBFC) series on the Fox College Sports network.

While the competition is more about the true spirit of college rivalries and bragging rights, there were some prizes earned by the top finishing clubs and anglers. The top three teams received trophy or plaques, while they and others also received merchandise prizes from Abu Garcia rods and reels and Berkley line.

The final roster of participating universities and the number of teams from each included: Auburn University with three, Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) with two, Georgia with one, Georgia Southern with two, Mississippi with one, Mississippi State with three, Tennessee with two, Montevallo with three, Troy (Ala.) with two, and UAB with three.

"What Jann Swaim and the Auburn bass club have done for the sport of collegiate fishing in such short order is remarkable and inspiring," said Wade Middleton representing Careco Multimedia. "What he and the university have done to make this activity for the students first, and a competitive event second, is a good match to our philosophy of what college bass fishing is all about. Our television series is as much about the kids and their passion for fishing, as it is about who won and lost."

The Montevallo team and many of the others from the Guntersville tournament will also compete in the 2008 BoatU.S. National Collegiate Bass Fishing scheduled for this fall on Texas' Lake Lewisville. The NCBFC is made possible by support from BoatU.S., BoatU.S. Angler, Cabela's, Ranger Boats, Yamaha, Garmin, Costa Del Mar, Pioneer Beef Jerky, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Fenwick, Anglers' Legacy, Stearns, EGO Nets, Sebile, American Rodsmiths, Aviva Fishin' Buddy, Gene Larew Lures, Nemire Lures, Sperry Top-Sider, Power Pole, City of Lewisville, Sneaky Pete's Marina and Fox College Sports.

Registration is open from now until August 1, 2008, for school-sanctioned fishing clubs to enter the national championship scheduled for September 18-20. Event rules and eligibility can be found by visiting www.foxcollegesports.com.

2008 SCBFS Final Standings

1st - University of Montevallo, 78.05 pounds
Team members: Justin Harden/Casey Crumpton, Clent Davis/Chuck Holderfield, Dustin Gray

2nd - University of Alabama at Birmingham, 71.74 pounds
Team members: Andrew Weathington/Walter Malone, Tim Waits/Braxton Setzer, John Michael Ciza/Derrick Jones

3rd - Auburn University, 69.60 pounds
Team members: Richard Peek/Sam Rochell, Dennis Parker/Wade Sieck, Clay Messer/Jackson Bonner

4th - Mississippi State University, 47.14 pounds
Team members: Cal Clark/Wes Gibson, Mitch Crane, Harry Halliwell/Bradley Sartain

5th - Georgia Southern University, 41.78 pounds
Team members: Kyle Gielle/Richard Davis, Wesley Maples/Oakley Walraven

6th - Troy University, 33.43 pounds
Team members: Craig Karrh/Tyler Weaver, Justin Luker/Justin Mott

7th - University of Georgia, 32.56 pounds
Team members: Dessie Bower/Jason Muhlbauer

8th - University of Tennessee - Knoxville, 29.77 pounds
Team members: Nick Tate/Chris Tate, Travis McFalls/Alex Roehl

9th - Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.), 24.76 pounds
Team members: John Lawson/Nick Fox, Tyler Hughes/Nathan Pirtle

10th - University of Mississippi, 20.93 pounds
Team members: Chad Hollan/Carter Coleman

Back to all Press Releases