MUSKEGON, Mich. — In the midst of a season of rivalry on the gridiron, a very different heated competition will play out on Grand River in Michigan as eight college anglers compete for one sought-after berth in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. The competition is part of Toyota All-Star Week, Sept. 27-29.
Four teams won the right to compete in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Classic Bracket — Auburn University at Montgomery, Young Harris College, Auburn University and Eastern Washington University — but it will be the eight individuals on those teams battling each other to claim that one coveted berth. All eight anglers will fish individually in different boats.
The bracket format competition pits the teams that came in first and fourth in the National Championship competition against the second- and third-place teams in the Day 1 round. Tom Frink of Auburn University of Montgomery and Nick Barr of Eastern Washington University compete on one side, while Jacob Nummy of Auburn University of Montgomery and Jarred Walker of Eastern Washington University go head-to-head on the other.
Brad Rutherford of Young Harris College and Jordan Lee of Auburn University will match wits on one side, and Matthew Peeler of Young Harris College and Shane Powell of Auburn University will battle on the other.
On Day 2, only four anglers return to the water, and in the final elimination round, two anglers will face off on Day 3.
Takeoff each day will be at 7:15 a.m. at Fruitport Charter Township Public Launch. The college anglers will weigh in with the All-Star pros at 4 p.m. at Heritage Landing, 1050 7th St., Muskegon, MI 49440.