LESSBURG, Fla. – The Bethel University Bass team traveled to Leesburg, Florida this past week to compete in the first Bassmaster tournament of the year.
The two day tournament, held on the Harris Chain of Lakes, is an annual event in which the team competes each year.
Cold weather and high winds caused the tournament director to cancel day one during the tournament thus leaving the competition to be decided by a one challenge.
Over two hundred and thirty boats competed in the event with eighty plus schools represented during the event.
The Bethel squad was ranked number three in the nation going into the competition by ACA rankings.
Going to the scales during the weigh in for Bethel, Caleb Nue and partner Anthony Cicero finished in 14th place for the event with five largemouth bass weighing an impressive 15lbs 11oz.
Joseph Senn and Stone Grove of Bethel placed 34th with 12lbs and 9oz. Points toward each school’s ranking are given to the top two teams from that particular college or university at each event.
“Our guys worked really hard during unfavorable weather conditions to gain valuable points toward School of the Year from this event,” said Coach Garry Mason. “It’s not supposed to be cold in Florida, but our guys came through the event proving just why Bethel is one of the top universities in the country when it comes to college fishing, “added Mason.
Bethel returns to the water in a couple of weeks to fish the first Major League Fishing event of the new year. That tournament will be held in Bainbridge, Georgia on Lake Seminole.