College: Winning the Bracket

Downtown Paris, Tenn. was the site for the final weigh-in of the 2016 Carhartt College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops. The winner would earn a spot in the 2017 Geico Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro next March on Lake Conroe near Houston, Texas.
Downtown Paris, Tenn. was the site for the final weigh-in of the 2016 Carhartt College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops. The winner would earn a spot in the 2017 Geico Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro next March on Lake Conroe near Houston, Texas.
It was a head-to-head format tournament with the eight top anglers from last week’s college national championship tournament competing. And after two days of competition, the field was whittled down to two -- John Garrett of Bethel University…
It was a head-to-head format tournament with the eight top anglers from last week’s college national championship tournament competing. And after two days of competition, the field was whittled down to two — John Garrett of Bethel University…
...and Evan Coleman of Texas State University. Garrett was the No. 4 seed in the bracket, and Coleman was the No. 6 seed.
…and Evan Coleman of Texas State University. Garrett was the No. 4 seed in the bracket, and Coleman was the No. 6 seed.
While fishing fans waited for the two collegiate anglers to show up, they had the chance to explore downtown Paris, a quaint business district that is classic Americana.
While fishing fans waited for the two collegiate anglers to show up, they had the chance to explore downtown Paris, a quaint business district that is classic Americana.

There were several vendors on site with whom fans could visit.
There were several vendors on site with whom fans could visit.
Shimano was there with rods for flipping, and experts were there to lend a helping hand.
Shimano was there with rods for flipping, and experts were there to lend a helping hand.

It’s target practice for the budding young anglers.
It’s target practice for the budding young anglers.
But the real reason everyone is there is to see the anglers weigh-in. Garrett is the first to pull in, ducking his Ram 1500 onto a side street just off Town Square. The two college anglers, as well as the 12 final teams in the Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship, lined up there waiting to be called for the drive-through weigh-in.
But the real reason everyone is there is to see the anglers weigh-in. Garrett is the first to pull in, ducking his Ram 1500 onto a side street just off Town Square. The two college anglers, as well as the 12 final teams in the Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship, lined up there waiting to be called for the drive-through weigh-in.
Garrett is met by tournament director and B.A.S.S. official Hank Weldon. They discuss the day’s catch.
Garrett is met by tournament director and B.A.S.S. official Hank Weldon. They discuss the day’s catch.
Garrett has good news for Weldon. He’s got another limit -- his third in three days.
Garrett has good news for Weldon. He’s got another limit — his third in three days.
After Weldon departs, the first person to make his way to Garrett is his father, Van. He shares the news with dad. It was a good day on Kentucky Lake.
After Weldon departs, the first person to make his way to Garrett is his father, Van. He shares the news with dad. It was a good day on Kentucky Lake.
The two embrace, and both fight back tears.
The two embrace, and both fight back tears.
The Garretts have a lot of history in these parts. John grew up fishing on Kentucky Lake and Bethel University, where he is a business management major, is only a couple dozen miles away. The 20-year old Garrett would like to be a professional bass angler one day, and if that doesn’t work out, he figures a business degree will keep him close to the fishing industry.
The Garretts have a lot of history in these parts. John grew up fishing on Kentucky Lake and Bethel University, where he is a business management major, is only a couple dozen miles away. The 20-year old Garrett would like to be a professional bass angler one day, and if that doesn’t work out, he figures a business degree will keep him close to the fishing industry.
Coleman is only a few seconds behind Garrett in arriving, but he’ll find himself well shy in the upcoming weigh-in.
Coleman is only a few seconds behind Garrett in arriving, but he’ll find himself well shy in the upcoming weigh-in.
Coleman had been running shorelines the past few days, and earned two solid wins to reach the final. But he didn’t catch a fish on Saturday, and that means Garrett is going to the Classic.
Coleman had been running shorelines the past few days, and earned two solid wins to reach the final. But he didn’t catch a fish on Saturday, and that means Garrett is going to the Classic.
But the crowd waiting on the anglers to take the stage doesn’t know that yet. Garrett spots some friends and gives them a wave.
But the crowd waiting on the anglers to take the stage doesn’t know that yet. Garrett spots some friends and gives them a wave.
But before heading to the stage, he’ll have to bag his bass. There are five of them to count.
But before heading to the stage, he’ll have to bag his bass. There are five of them to count.
Bass in the bag, a few Bethel University teammates find their way to Garrett. Getting a handshake is Hunter Louden. At left, in the black cap, is Brian Pahl. He was the No. 3 seed in the College Classic Bracket, but was bounced in the first round.
Bass in the bag, a few Bethel University teammates find their way to Garrett. Getting a handshake is Hunter Louden. At left, in the black cap, is Brian Pahl. He was the No. 3 seed in the College Classic Bracket, but was bounced in the first round.

In front of the stage, Garrett has a fan club waiting.
In front of the stage, Garrett has a fan club waiting.
They may have been having as much fun as Garrett!
They may have been having as much fun as Garrett!
But now down to business. Weldon welcomes the crowd, and gets them pumped up for the show.
But now down to business. Weldon welcomes the crowd, and gets them pumped up for the show.
Coleman is the first to roll up.
Coleman is the first to roll up.
Coleman shared his day’s experience with the crowd and with Weldon. Though he had no bass to show for his effort on Saturday, he fished one heck of a tournament, and figures to be a force in the college ranks for two more years.
Coleman shared his day’s experience with the crowd and with Weldon. Though he had no bass to show for his effort on Saturday, he fished one heck of a tournament, and figures to be a force in the college ranks for two more years.
He can leave Tennessee with his head held high.
He can leave Tennessee with his head held high.
Now it’s Garrett’s turn to roll up. He’s like a gladiator in his chariot, except now, he’s completely chill, knowing the tournament is in the bag.
Now it’s Garrett’s turn to roll up. He’s like a gladiator in his chariot, except now, he’s completely chill, knowing the tournament is in the bag.
All he needs is 1 ounce to win, and it didn’t take long to make it official.
All he needs is 1 ounce to win, and it didn’t take long to make it official.

Garrett grabs hold of a couple of his Tennessee toads and displays them for the crowd.
Garrett grabs hold of a couple of his Tennessee toads and displays them for the crowd.
Garrett caught five bass on Saturday for a total of 14 pounds, 13 ounces. He caught a total of 46-9 over the three-day tournament.
Garrett caught five bass on Saturday for a total of 14 pounds, 13 ounces. He caught a total of 46-9 over the three-day tournament.
Garrett boated his fish in two primary spots this week -- a shallow, underwater hump about a mile away from the Paris Landing State Park launch, and another on a ledge in about 15 feet of water that was approximately 15 miles south of the marina.
Garrett boated his fish in two primary spots this week — a shallow, underwater hump about a mile away from the Paris Landing State Park launch, and another on a ledge in about 15 feet of water that was approximately 15 miles south of the marina.
On the hump, he threw a small crankbait for keepers, and his bigger bites later in the day came on a ¾-ounce wobble head with a Magnum Green Pumpkin Trick Worm.
On the hump, he threw a small crankbait for keepers, and his bigger bites later in the day came on a ¾-ounce wobble head with a Magnum Green Pumpkin Trick Worm.
John Garrett of Bethel University is the winner of the 2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops.
John Garrett of Bethel University is the winner of the 2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops.