Competition Set for Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship
OutdoorHub 07.11.14
The 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship will host the largest field since the programs inception in 2011. At the championship — held on Chatuge Reservoir in northeast Georgia, July 31-Aug. 2 — college anglers will compete for cash, prizes, bragging rights and a chance at the coveted 2015 Bassmaster Classic berth.
With a record 167 collegiate anglers representing 58 universities from across the United States, the championship intends to not only break attendance records, but also bring the toughest competition and highest skill-level anglers to the college bass fishing circuit.
“The level of competition at this championship will be the highest it’s ever been,” said Jacob Nummy, a member of the 2013 national champion team from Auburn University at Montgomery who qualified again this year. “Defending the title against a field as tough as this is intimidating, but I’ve been looking forward to it all year.”
Each team qualified through either a series of conference regionals or the last-chance Wild Card tournament held on Pickwick Lake, June 27-28.
Throughout the year, anglers put their skills to the test in hopes of earning a chance to fish the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship, and this year’s qualifiers are a true representation of the best college bass fishermen in the circuit, said Hank Weldon, B.A.S.S. college tournament manager.
“Our tournament circuit produces the cream of the crop when it comes to collegiate competition,” Weldon added. “When you look at our championship field, you’re looking at the best of the best anglers.”
The the full field of 84 teams will compete the first two days on Chatuge. The five teams with the heaviest cumulative weights from the opening rounds will vye on Saturday, Aug.2, for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship title.
Immediately following the national championship, the Top 4 teams will advance to the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket, which will also be held on Chatuge Reservoir, Aug. 3-6. In the Classic Bracket competition, teammates will compete individually for one berth in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic to be held Feb. 20-22 on Lake Hartwell near Greenville, S.C.
Teams will take off from The Ridges Marina in Hiawassee, Ga., at 6:30 a.m. ET. (GPS help: 3499 U.S. Hwy. 76, Hiawasee, GA 30546.) Weigh-ins for the championship will be held at Young Harris College and are set to begin at 3 p.m. ET. (GPS help: 1 College St., Young Harris, GA 30582.)
Fishing fans can find championship updates on Bassmaster.com. Features include live-streaming weigh-ins, real-time leaderboards, on-the-water blogs, photo galleries, BASScam videos and daily results.
Follow the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bass and on Twitter using the hashtag #collegebass.
Below is a complete list of Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship qualifiers.
National Championship Qualifiers
Southern Regional Qualifiers
- Hunter McKamey and Kyle Oliver of University of Central Florida
- Jake Gipson and Charlie Hurst of University of Alabama
- Shelby Concon and Kyle Smith of University of Florida
- John Ferguson and Wesley Wise of Polk State College
- John B. Davis and Payton McGinnis of University of Alabama
- Dawson Lenz and Robb Young of University of North Alabama
- Charles Conger and Demetrius Thomas of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
- Phillip Heyde and Michael Skat of Seminole State College
- Bo Larkins and Brian Rosso of University of Georgia
- Evan Horne and Jacob Robertson of University of North Alabama
- Taylor Minick and Landon Tucker of Valdosta State University
- Neal Combs and Kevin Lucas of Seminole State College
- Trey Clayton and Timothy Ward of Auburn University
- Max Burges and David Sherry of Southern Polytechnic State University
- Michael Gullette and Nathan Martin of University of North Alabama
- Wesley Griner and Will Myrick of Darton State College
- Justin Atkins and Joseph Marty of Mississippi State University
- Brian Redd and Justin Walton of University of West Georgia
Midwestern Regional Qualifiers
- Cody Hahner and Mark Hugus of University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
- Jason Hawksford and Cody Lincoln of University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
- Quinn Fowler and Dylan McKee of Kansas State University
- Matt Feiten and Brian Kirt of University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
- Jacob Cllisch and Ryan Gilbert of University of Wisconsin, Plattville
- Tommy Hebson and Ben Verhoef of University of Missouri
- Jackson Grabeel and Joseph Reilly of Western Illinois University
- Justin Bruno and Zachary Wiggers of Grand Valley State University
- Carlos Thomas and Bryce Wegman of Illinois State University
- Ben Kroeger and Ryan Leach of University of Nebraska – Omaha
- Chris Burgan and Austin Felix of University of Minnesota
- Seth Brock and Lance Freeman of Murray State University
- Garrett Cates and Graham Howard of Kansas State University
- Dan Martin and Tyler McCune of Eastern Illinois University
Central Regional Qualifiers
- Trapper Munn and Dustin Perkins of University of Louisiana-Monroe
- Brandon Greco and Austin Watkins of Louisiana Tech University
- Jackson Blackett and Brett Preuett of University of Louisiana-Monroe
- Aaron Sarna and Evan Smith of Arkansas Tech University
- Trent Newman and Jacob Sepeda of Dallas Baptist University
- Caleb Boudreaux and Matthew Loetscher of Louisiana Tech University
- Cameron Burger and Zackery Hines of Dallas Baptist University
- Tyler Rivet and Jess Robertson of Nicholls State University
- Jeremy Rainbolt and John Tilbury of Louisiana Delta Community College
- Brian Eaton and Nick LaDart of University of Louisiana-Monroe
- Brent Davis and Jay Robertson of Southeastern Louisiana University
- Shelby Hutchens of Stephen F. Austin State University
- Austyn Fowler and Zach Hurst of Tarleton State University
Western Regional Qualifiers
- Tanner Cooper and Memo Nunez of New Mexico State University
- Adam McAndrews and Roberto Munoz of San Jose State
- Timothy Bailey and Jesse Scarafiotti of New Mexico State University
- Michael Braswell and Andrew Loberg of Chico State
- Matt Diaz and Andrew Sjostrom of California State University-Monterey Bay
- Travis Bounds and Patrick Friedman of San Jose State
- Chase Cochran and Ryan Sparks of Oregon State University
- Jeff Karnthong and Alex Klein of Chico State
- Kyle Schneider and Jacob Wall of University of Oregon
- Brandon Hua and Erik Strickler of Oregon State University
Eastern Regional Qualifiers
- Lance Geren and Robbie Moore of University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
- Tyler Wadzinski and Matt Beeler of University of Tennessee
- Austin Neary and Zachary Hicks of Western Carolina University
- Kyle Raymer and Ethan Snyder of Eastern Kentucky University
- Zach Parker and Matt Roberts of Bethel University
- Ethan McDonald and Ryan Swallows of Tennessee Tech University
- Jake Whitaker and Andrew Helms of University of North Carolina-Charlotte
- Edward Rude and Matthew Gibson of West Virginia University
- Hunter Louden and Matthew Palmer of Bethel University
- Robert Giarla and Bentley Manning of Tennessee Tech University
- Brandon Koon and Blake Welch of Bethel University
- Dalton Wilson and Randall Morris of Bethel University
Wild Card Qualifiers
- Cody Ross and Dewey Swims of Bethel University
- Mitch Mitchell and Evan Reid of Auburn University
- Jacob Nummy and Tyler Strock of Auburn University at Montgomery
- Adam Neill and Logan Shaddix of University of Alabama
- Scott Cain and Jacob Argo of University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Mike Huff and John Hunter of Georgetown College
- John Nolan and Tyler Collins of University of West Georgia
- Justin Cooper and John Ledet of Northwestern State University
- Kenny Johnson and Bradley Rilling of University of West Georgia
- Andrew Warbington and Mark Grant of University of West Alabama
- John Maner and Ryan Darracott of University of North Alabama
- Bryan Carroll and Alan Horwatt of Clemson University
- Hayden Tilley and Alex Clayton of Northeast Alabama Community College
- Thomas Oltorik and Aaron Comeens of Daytona State College
- Patrick Walters and Gettys Brannon of University of South Carolina
- Michael Corbishley and Ronnie Moore of East Carolina University
- Tyler Craig and Jospeh Grassi of University of Louisiana-Monroe
