College bass anglers to compete in largest-ever national championship

More than 200 student anglers to convene on Lake Lewisville next week

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Sept. 8, 2008) – The field is set for the 2008 BoatU.S.National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship (NCBFC), with 106 two-person teams representing 57 schools from 23 states registered to participate. The full-field enrollment makes it the largest college bass tournament ever held.

Presented by Careco Multimedia and Fox College Sports, the three-day tournament takes place on Lake Lewisville, Texas (near Dallas), Sept. 18-20. The stage is unlike any other in collegiate sports because regardless of school size, each team competes against one another on equal terms in head-to-head competition.

Among the mix are traditional college-sport Division I powerhouses from the Big 12, SEC, Pac-10, Big East and more, but there are also many small schools that don’t have big time athletic programs. A team from North Carolina State won the inaugural event in 2006. Last year it was a Texas A&M team. However, it was the University of Montevallo (Alabama) that won a large regional event earlier in the year over schools like Auburn, Ole Miss and Georgia.

“This is fishing and bass don’t really care about who’s on the other end of the line,” said Wade Middleton, tournament director and a longtime television fishing show host. “That’s the beauty of this sport and why the field can be so diverse and every team has a chance at winning. Many of our participants excelled at other sports in high school but couldn’t or didn’t want to compete at the college level. In fishing, just about any student who wants to can get involved,” he said.

From last year’s winning Texas A&M team, Justin Rackley had aspirations of a pro baseball career before an injury ended the dream. Now he’s known on campus for his bass fishing success and has his sights set on a pro fishing career.

Montevallo’s Clent Davis has always been focused on fishing. “I grew up fishing, love the sport and am thrilled to have this opportunity to fish on our school’s team,” he said. “We like the fact that we can go right up against the big guys and know we can beat them. Right now our team members are recruiting new students to carry on what we’ve started.”

Also unlike other college sports, bass fishing teams can be male, female or co-ed. In some instances, it has been the girls responsible for starting their school’s fishing program. That was certainly the case with Tiffany Spencer from the University of Texas-Arlington and Kat Cammack from the Metropolitan State College of Denver (Colo.). Both ladies were instrumental in getting fishing clubs started and their teams entered into the championship.

For teams to be eligible to compete in the championship they must be officially recognized school fishing programs. During NCBFC competition, each team is responsible for full operation of their boats. Only artificial lures are allowed and each team is allowed to weigh-in five bass, measuring at least 14 inches in length for largemouth and 12 inches for spotted bass, each day. Team standings are based on cumulative total weights each day. After the second day of competition, only the top five teams advance to the third and final day. The finalists compete from equally rigged Ranger Z-21 bass boats with Yamaha outboards, MotorGuide trolling motors and Garmin electronics.

All teams are fishing for the more than $35,000 in scholarships and prizes, but in the true sense of college rivalries most say the real honor comes in carrying the national championship award back home to their schools. “Trevor (Knight) and I lifting the trophy over our heads last year was an unbelievable experience that I’ll never forget,” said Texas A&M’s Rackley. “It’s something I’d like to do again this year.” Rackley has a chance to repeat as he does return, but with a new partner as Knight graduated since last year’s win.

The championship will be featured along with several other collegiate regional bass fishing events as part of the 13-episode NCBFC television series produced by Careco Multimedia in conjunction with Fox College Sports that begins airing in early October on Fox College Sports and affiliated networks.

The 2008 NCBFC is made possible by a long listing of leading companies, including BoatU.S., BoatU.S. Angler, Ranger Boats, Cabela’s, American Rodsmiths, Anglers’ Legacy, Abu Garcia, Aviva Fishin’ Buddy, Berkley, Costa Del Mar, EPIC Sports Video Cam, Falcon FTO tackle organizers, Fenwick, Frogg Toggs, Garmin, Gemini Sport Marketing, Lago Vista Lodge, Gene Larew Lures, MotorGuide, PowerPole, Rapala’s Fishing Frenzy, Sebile, Sperry Top-Sider, TruckVault, Witz Sportcases, Yamaha, City of Lewisville, Sneaky Pete’s Marina and Fox College Sports.

For more information about the 2008 NCBFC, visit www.collegiatebasschampionship.com.

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2008 BoatU.S. Championship Teams

Posted at www.collegiatebasschampionship.com/Schools.htm.

ALABAMA

Auburn University – Adam Murphree/Clay Messer

Auburn University – Richard Peek/Paul Davis

Auburn University – Sam Rochell/Dennis Parker

Faulkner University – John Galloway/Justin Barnes

Faulkner University – Kyle Tindol/Michael Eubanks

Troy University – Craig Karrh/Tyler Weaver

University of Alabama – Foster Bradley/Brent Frederick

University of Alabama – Ben Weldon/Warren Hoffman

University of Alabama – Daniel Statum/Jeff Aul

University of Alabama-Birmingham – Tim Waits/Braxton Setzer

University of Montevallo – Clent Davis/Chuck Holderfield

University of Montevallo – Dustin Gray/Josh Lamar

University of South Alabama – Jonathan Pope/Joshua Pope

University of South Alabama – Tyler Pitts/Matt Gardner

ARIZONA

Arizona State – Mitch Kistner/Craig Carroll

Arizona State – Brent Perkins/Michael Eyler

Arizona State – Chris Yee/Whitney Cummins

ARKANSAS

Arkansas Tech – Wesley Lambert/Trevor Graddy

Arkansas Tech – Eric Shatford/Matthew Goddard

University of Arkansas – Jerid Jones/Chris Jackson

University of Arkansas – Kazuki Kitajima/Bodie Drake

University of Arkansas – Matt Graves/Jay Berry

COLORADO

Metropolitan State College of Denver – Adam McHenry/Kat Cammack

FLORIDA

University of Central Florida – Brent Compton/Joe Forker

University of Central Florida – Scott Noce/Patrick Mangold

Webber International University – Duane Bowman/Harris Hartley

Webber International University – Marty Wilson/Alicia Mohler

GEORGIA

Georgia College & State University – Matt Henry/Zach Olson

INDIANA

Ball State University – Tyler Steward/Ryan Meinart

Ball State University – Jed Puckett/Brent Paull

Indiana University – Eric Boger/Tyler Zschiedrich

Purdue University – Jacob Spencer/Chris Bookout

Purdue University – Aaron McAlexander/Ben Wood

Purdue University – Chad Dunham/

ILLINOIS

Southern Illinois University – Richard Dunham/Tyler Ailor

Southern Illinois University – Bryan Partak/Colby Thompson

IOWA

University of Iowa – Josh Heine/Matt Taylor

University of Iowa – Tyler Mehrl/Bob Downey

KANSAS

Kansas State – Casey Smith/Jared Brooks

Kansas State – Ben Fuchs/Aaron Barney

KENTUCKY

Eastern Kentucky University – Andrew Luxon/Richard Cobb

Eastern Kentucky University – Ryan Oller/Christopher Davis

Eastern Kentucky University – Tyler Moberly/James Wathen

Murray State University – Daniel Langton/Cory Carr

Murray State University – Drew Snider/Treston Smith

University of Kentucky – Todd Hodges/Aaron Young

University of Louisville – Travis Andres/Cody Greenwell

Western Kentucky University – Adam Hock/Matt Baker

LOUISIANA

Louisiana State University-Shreveport – Zachary Caudle/Harmon Carson

Louisiana State University-Shreveport – Patrick Morton/Will Moore

Louisiana Tech University – Aaron Rogillio/Jordan Wiggins

Louisiana Tech University – Brock Brunson/Brandon Holmes

Northwestern State University – Zachary Gaghard/Paul Rini

Northwestern State University – Nathan Fields/Jonathan Bennett

Northwestern State University – Jeff Rich/Aaron Sistrunk

University of Louisiana-Lafayette – Cody McCrary/Neil Arnaud

MISSOURI

Drury University – Drew Sanford/Drew Simon

Drury University – Alex Sahliyeh/Derek Brown

Southeast Missouri State University – Adam Zielinski/Alex Skelton

Southeast Missouri State University – Taylor Gorton/Mike Rains

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi State University – Bradley Sartain/Harry Halliwell

Mississippi State University – Cal Clark/Wes Gibson

University of Mississippi – Chad Hollan/Richard Orr

NEBRASKA

University of Nebraska – Tony Cimino/Seth Zentner

University of Nebraska – Shane Strope/Drew Friedrich

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina State University – Will White/Kyle Hodgin

North Carolina State University – Joshua Hooks/Chad Bazen

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma State University – James Elam/Kris McDonald

Oklahoma State University – Daniel Davis/Orie Chambers

University of Oklahoma – Chip Porche’/Matt Pangrac

University of Oklahoma – Jordon Nichols/Justin Hurd

OREGON

University of Oregon – Carter Troughton/Ross Richards

University of Oregon – Chris Parks/Joe Cote

PENNSYLVANIA

Penn State – Jason Haney/Derrick Hughes

TENNESSEE

Freed – Hardeman University – John Lawson/Nathan Pirtle

University of Tennessee – Nicholas Tate/Chris Tate

University of Tennessee-Martin – Matthew Tubbs/Kevin Shorey

University of Tennessee-Martin – Michael Keatts/Matthew Jones

TEXAS

Baylor University – Jay Holland/Christopher Gass

Baylor University – Andrew McAdams/Ryan Thompson

Lamar University – Joshua Maddox/Matt Morrison

Sam Houston State – Joshua Rush/Bubba Gough

Sam Houston State – Bill Weekly/Trey Rapsilver

Stephen F. Austin State University – Kendall Wleczyk/Cale Schrock

Stephen F. Austin State University – Ryan Watkins/Andrew Upshaw

Tarleton State University – Chris Michels/Tanner Morgan

Tarleton State University – Cole Koenig/Kyle Barfield

Tarleton State University – John Anderson/Kent Andries

Texas A&M University – William Edmonds/Kenny Stewart

Texas A&M University – Justin Rackley/Andrew Shafer

Texas A&M University-Kingsville – Jerod Hawkes/

Texas Tech – Ryan Dupriest/Laramie Coggan

Texas Tech – Wesley Medford/Russell Felt

Texas Tech – Chad Pabody/John Guest

University of North Texas – Brandon Dickenson/Kevin Lain

University of North Texas – Steven Hollowell/Chaz Pair

University of Texas-Austin – Mason Welch/John Reina

University of Texas-Austin – William Waldschmidt/Micah Scheler

University of Texas-Austin – Ty Brockhoeft/Bobby Frey

University of Texas-Arlington – Stephen Pineau/Drew Bryan

University of Texas-Arlington – Brady Beal/Bryan Lewis

University of Texas-Arlington – Tiffany Spencer/Taryn Bishop

VIRGINIA

Virginia Tech – Scott Wiley/Charlie Machek

Virginia Tech – Brett Thompson/

WISCONSIN

University of Wisconsin-Madison – Derek Frederixon/Drew Frederixon

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point – Joseph Marty/Curtis Meshak

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point – Kristopher Korn/Casey Kmiecik

TBF Mid-Atlantic Divisional set for Lake Erie

PRESQUE ISLE BAY, Pa. — The Bass Federation 2008 Mid-Atlantic Divisional Championship will be held on Lake Erie in Presque Isle Bay, Pa., Sept. 24-26. As many as 84 competitors representing seven Mid-Atlantic Division areas – Delaware, Maryland, Nation’s Capitol, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia – are expected to compete in the tournament.

The public is invited to the Marina Launch at Presque State Park in Erie, Pa., to watch the takeoffs and weigh-ins at 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively. Admission is free.

Anglers will compete both individually and as state teams in an effort to qualify for the prestigious 2009 TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard. The top three state teams will be awarded trophies and cash prizes. The angler with the heaviest three-day weight will also earn a $500 Walmart gift card as the Castrol Maximum Performer.

Each state team is made up of 12 anglers, and the top-finishing angler from each team will advance to the 2009 TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard as a boater. The No. 2 competitor from each state team will advance to the National Championship as a co-angler.

TBF National Championship anglers will compete for a share of more than $200,000 in cash and merchandise, including a $100,000 “Living the Dream” prize package with use of a wrapped Chevy truck and Ranger boat powered by Evinrude or Yamaha, sponsor merchandise and paid entry fees into the Walmart FLW Tour or Walmart FLW Series. The top boater and co-angler from each of the TBF’s six divisions at the National Championship will receive a berth into the $1 million BFL All-American presented by Chevy, where boaters compete for a top award of $140,000 and co-anglers cast for a top award of $70,000. The winning boater and co-angler at the TBF National Championship will also advance to the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP/Castrol, where pros compete for a top award of $1 million and co-anglers fish for a top award of $50,000.

In TBF Divisional Championship competition, anglers are randomly paired each day and share control of the boat throughout the day.

Official practice for the TBF Mid-Atlantic Divisional Championship begins at daylight Sept. 21 and continues through 2 p.m. Sept. 23.

Coverage of the TBF National Championship will be broadcast to 81 million FSN (Fox Sports Net) subscribers in the United States as part of the “FLW Outdoors” television series. “FLW Outdoors” is also broadcast in Canada on WFN (World Fishing Network) and to more than 429 million households in the United Kingdom, Europe, Russia, Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East through a distribution agreement with Matchroom Sport, making it the most widely distributed fishing program in the world. The program airs Sunday mornings at 11 Eastern time in most markets. Check local listings for times in your area.

The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) is owned by those it serves and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided the foundation for the entire bass-fishing industry for more than 30 years. For more information about The Bass Federation, visit bassfederation.com or call (580) 765-9031.

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. In 2008 alone the organization is offering more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win over $40 million through 230 tournaments in 10 circuits targeting bass, walleye, redfish, kingfish and striped bass. FLW Outdoors is also taking fishing mainstream with the largest cash awards in the history of fantasy sports, $7.3 million.

TBF Junior World Champions crowned

Kyle Raymer and Lowell Turner III earned the titles of the National Guard Junior World Champions as the tournament concluded on Lake Monticello in Colombia, SC., today. The National Guard Junior World Championship awarded $42,000 in scholarships and grants to the six division championions in both age groups. These division champs each received a scholarship ranging from $5,000 to $1,000 dollars. Raymer and Turner will receive $5,000 in scholarship money and $1,000 in Berkley sponsorships. Both TBF junior champions were all smiles today as they walked away from the National Guard Junior World Championship on top of the pack.

LT General Clyde Vaughn was on hand to present the awards

LT General Clyde Vaughn was on hand to present the awards

Kyle Raymer had three fish today with a total weight of 3 lbs. 14 ounces. Kyle is a 17-year-old senior at Meade High School in Brandenburg, KY. He won the junior TBF state tournament, which qualified him to represent his division and state in the 15 to 18-year-old category at the National Guard Junior World Championship. “

Kyle Raymer

Kyle Raymer

My Dad is really my hero; he taught me how to fish and most everything I know. We fish together on my favorite lake, Kentucky Lake, a lot,” Kyle said. Also, he said he respects and likes all the professional anglers. “They’re all so down to earth and willing to listen and help you out.” Kyle expressed a desire to become a professional fisherman as well. “I know realistically becoming a pro will be tough, so I’m also planning on graduating from Eastern Kentucky University; I hear they have an awesome TBF college fishing club.” Kyle said he “dedicates all his time to fishing,” and it was his dedication and hard work that earned him the title of National Guard Junior World champion.

Lowell Turner III caught one fish today that weighed 7 lbs. 6 ounces. Lowell, 13, is from Bradford, RI., and he won the junior TBF state tournament, landing him a spot in the NGJWC. “I have been going fishing since I was two years old,” Lowell said. Lowell’s family was full of tearful emotion when he pulled out his fish; the biggest fish caught in the tournament. “I had one bite, on my fifth cast of the day, and it is by far the biggest fish I have ever caught!” Lowell was still a little shocked, and he was extremely excited to have won the World Champions title in the 11 to 14-year-old category.

Lowell Turner

Lowell Turner

All junior anglers fished with a FLW pro for both tournament days. Scott Martin from the National Guard professional staff fishing team was Kyle Raymer’s partner. Lowell Turner fished with Raymie Colson, who also fishes on the National Guard pro staff team.

Rounding out the top six anglers in the 15 to 18 age group are Ben Dziwulski of Woodbine, Md. (two fish, 2-2); Tyler Dennis of Shawnee, Okla. (one fish, 1-0); Broghan Cullen of Sun Prairie, Wis. (one fish, 0-15); Nathan Bromley of Albany, Ore.; and Nick Sampson of Gorham, Maine.

Rounding out the top six anglers in the 11 to 14 age group are Nikolas Autrey of Port Angeles, Wash. (five bass, 5-10) Johnny Schultz of Maumelle, Ark. (two fish, 1-13); Hamilton Brown of Plant City, Fla. (one fish, 1-8); Zach Whitten of Oceana W.Va. and Lucas Lindgren of Rush City, Minn.

THE DREAM HAS BEGUN!

TBF Living The Dream Angler Brian Travis – A TBF “Dream Come True”

Photo by Brett Carlson

Brian Travis

Brian Travis

The date was April 26, 2008. Brian Travis, a TBF angler from Conover, NC. And the North Carolina TBF Bass Federation had just finished weigh-in in at the 2008 Federation National Championship. Travis had just won the event, the $100,000.00 prize package; The cash, and TBF Living the Dream package that goes with it.

Every sports fan and human being for that matter has had a dream at one time or the other. Everyone should “dream” of a goal to achieve, fame and fortune, to be the best at whatever you do, is something that everyone should strive for. Travis set himself upon that path last April. By winning that event, Travis will not only fish as a full time, fully sponsored, Pro on the FLW Tour in 2009, but secured a spot in this years $2 million dollar Forrest Wood Cup.

That’s where we are at now, here in Columbia, South Carolina, among thousands of fishing fans, watching a TBF angler. Travis is a guy just like you, who loves to fish as much as he can, who has a family and a full time job, who fished his way through his local club and his state, and earned the right to live his dream. The dream of tens of thousands of grassroots anglers nationwide.

Travis, is fishing well, very well, and has made the top ten final cut, he is on Lake Murray fishing right now, competing in the first of two final days, for a very real shot at THE title in all of bass fishing. The title of “2008 Forrest Wood Cup Champion”, and his share of the richest tournament payout in fishing history that goes with it.

Call it a “Cinderella story”, “rags to riches”, call it whatever you want. Brian Travis has put himself into a position to win it all……and if he does not catch another fish, (which he will), he is living his dream, and the dreams of thousands just like him.

Whatever it is, live your dreams.

You can follow Brian live today and tomorrow starting at 5pm by watching the weigh-in on flwoutdoors.com or FLWLIVE.com

If you are anywhere near Columbia, SC. The best advice is, get here, dreams are coming true.