John Zeolla and Clayton Lauchland decided to take a quick afternoon fishing trip to the California Delta before shipping out to Lake DuBay to compete in the Carhartt College National Championship, but what ensued changed their plans entirely.
While driving in Stockton, Calif., the two anglers from California Polytechnic State University slowed down to a stop while they waited for one of the many draw bridges to lower. After coming to a stop and making a joke about good brake pads, they were suddenly jolted as a mini-van rammed into the back of their boat, totaling it and ending their evening before it started.
“We were one exit from the boat ramp when this mini-van crashed into our boat at about 30 miles an hour,” said Zeolla. “It totaled the boat and the van wasn’t in good shape either. Everyone lost in that situation.”
Panic ensued as they now had to retrieve Lauchland’s boat and get it prepared to travel 36 hours and over 2,300 miles to reach Stevens Point, Wis.
It wasn’t completely smooth sailing after that, though.
Zeolla planned to vacation with his family after the championship, intending to take his boat.
Fortunately teammate Lauchland said it would be fine if Zeolla borrowed his for the next two weeks or so.
So they made the 2,300-mile trek, sleeping in their truck and dreaming of bringing a title back to California.
The last two seasons, a western team has been in the Top 5 with a viable shot at the title. That gives these two anglers all of the confidence in the world knowing their goal is still attainable, even with the obstacle they had to overcome.
“Knowing that all the guys we compete against are good enough to take on the high caliber anglers from the South,” said Lauchland.
“Eventually one of these lakes will lay out perfect and a west-coast style will win.”
Sheer will and determination put these anglers in the position they are in and that “never give up” mentality carried them from California to the banks of Lake DuBay.
When all is said and done one angler will gain a berth to the Bassmaster Classic – and that was more than enough motivation to help Zeolla and Lauchland keep pushing through the pain.