BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship will host the largest field since the program’s inception in 2011. At the championship — held on Chatuge Reservoir in northeast Georgia, July 31-Aug. 2 — college anglers will compete for cash, prizes, bragging rights and a chance at the coveted 2015 Bassmaster Classic berth.
With a record 167 collegiate anglers representing 58 universities from across the United States, the championship intends to not only break attendance records, but also bring the toughest competition and highest skill-level anglers to the college bass fishing circuit.
“The level of competition at this championship will be the highest it’s ever been,” said Jacob Nummy, a member of the 2013 national champion team from Auburn University at Montgomery who qualified again this year. “Defending the title against a field as tough as this is intimidating, but I’ve been looking forward to it all year.”
Each team qualified through either a series of conference regionals or the last-chance Wild Card tournament held on Pickwick Lake, June 27-28.
Throughout the year, anglers put their skills to the test in hopes of earning a chance to fish the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship, and this year’s qualifiers are a true representation of the best college bass fishermen in the circuit, said Hank Weldon, B.A.S.S. college tournament manager.
“Our tournament circuit produces the cream of the crop when it comes to collegiate competition,” Weldon added. “When you look at our championship field, you’re looking at the best of the best anglers.”
The the full field of 84 teams will compete the first two days on Chatuge. The five teams with the heaviest cumulative weights from the opening rounds will vye on Saturday, Aug.2, for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship title.
Immediately following the national championship, the Top 4 teams will advance to the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket, which will also be held on Chatuge Reservoir, Aug. 3-5. In the Classic Bracket competition, teammates will compete individually for one berth in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic to be held Feb. 20-22 on Lake Hartwell near Greenville, S.C.
Teams will take off from The Ridges Marina in Hiawassee, Ga., at 6:30 a.m. ET. (GPS help: 3499 U.S. Hwy. 76, Hiawasee, GA 30546.) Weigh-ins for the championship will be held at Young Harris College and are set to begin at 3 p.m. ET. (GPS help: 1 College St., Young Harris, GA 30582.)
Fishing fans can find championship updates on Bassmaster.com. Features include live-streaming weigh-ins, real-time leaderboards, on-the-water blogs, photo galleries, BASScam videos and daily results.
Follow the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship on Facebook at www.facebook.com/collegebass and on Twitter using the hashtag #collegebass.
Below is a complete list of Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship qualifiers.
National Championship Qualifiers
Southern Regional Qualifiers
Hunter McKamey and Kyle Oliver of University of Central Florida
Jake Gipson and Charlie Hurst of University of Alabama
Shelby Concon and Kyle Smith of University of Florida
John Ferguson and Wesley Wise of Polk State College
John B. Davis and Payton McGinnis of University of Alabama
Dawson Lenz and Robb Young of University of North Alabama
Charles Conger and Demetrius Thomas of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Phillip Heyde and Michael Skat of Seminole State College
Bo Larkins and Brian Rosso of University of Georgia
Evan Horne and Jacob Robertson of University of North Alabama
Taylor Minick and Landon Tucker of Valdosta State University
Neal Combs and Kevin Lucas of Seminole State College
Trey Clayton and Timothy Ward of Auburn University
Max Burges and David Sherry of Southern Polytechnic State University
Michael Gullette and Nathan Martin of University of North Alabama
Wesley Griner and Will Myrick of Darton State College
Justin Atkins and Joseph Marty of Mississippi State University
Brian Redd and Justin Walton of University of West Georgia
Midwestern Regional Qualifiers
Cody Hahner and Mark Hugus of University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
Jason Hawksford and Cody Lincoln of University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
Quinn Fowler and Dylan McKee of Kansas State University
Matt Feiten and Brian Kirt of University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
Jacob Cllisch and Ryan Gilbert of University of Wisconsin, Plattville
Tommy Hebson and Ben Verhoef of University of Missouri
Jackson Grabeel and Joseph Reilly of Western Illinois University
Justin Bruno and Zachary Wiggers of Grand Valley State University
Carlos Thomas and Bryce Wegman of Illinois State University
Ben Kroeger and Ryan Leach of University of Nebraska – Omaha
Chris Burgan and Austin Felix of University of Minnesota
Seth Brock and Lance Freeman of Murray State University
Garrett Cates and Graham Howard of Kansas State University
Dan Martin and Tyler McCune of Eastern Illinois University
Central Regional Qualifiers
Trapper Munn and Dustin Perkins of University of Louisiana-Monroe
Brandon Greco and Austin Watkins of Louisiana Tech University
Jackson Blackett and Brett Preuett of University of Louisiana-Monroe
Aaron Sarna and Evan Smith of Arkansas Tech University
Trent Newman and Jacob Sepeda of Dallas Baptist University
Caleb Boudreaux and Matthew Loetscher of Louisiana Tech University
Cameron Burger and Zackery Hines of Dallas Baptist University
Tyler Rivet and Jess Robertson of Nicholls State University
Jeremy Rainbolt and John Tilbury of Louisiana Delta Community College
Brian Eaton and Nick LaDart of University of Louisiana-Monroe
Brent Davis and Jay Robertson of Southeastern Louisiana University
Shelby Hutchens of Stephen F. Austin State University
Austyn Fowler and Zach Hurst of Tarleton State University
Western Regional Qualifiers
Tanner Cooper and Memo Nunez of New Mexico State University
Adam McAndrews and Roberto Munoz of San Jose State
Timothy Bailey and Jesse Scarafiotti of New Mexico State University
Michael Braswell and Andrew Loberg of Chico State
Matt Diaz and Andrew Sjostrom of California State University-Monterey Bay
Travis Bounds and Patrick Friedman of San Jose State
Chase Cochran and Ryan Sparks of Oregon State University
Jeff Karnthong and Alex Klein of Chico State
Kyle Schneider and Jacob Wall of University of Oregon
Brandon Hua and Erik Strickler of Oregon State University
Eastern Regional Qualifiers
Lance Geren and Robbie Moore of University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Tyler Wadzinski and Matt Beeler of University of Tennessee
Austin Neary and Zachary Hicks of Western Carolina University
Kyle Raymer and Ethan Snyder of Eastern Kentucky University
Zach Parker and Matt Roberts of Bethel University
Ethan McDonald and Ryan Swallows of Tennessee Tech University
Jake Whitaker and Andrew Helms of University of North Carolina-Charlotte
Edward Rude and Matthew Gibson of West Virginia University
Hunter Louden and Matthew Palmer of Bethel University
Robert Giarla and Bentley Manning of Tennessee Tech University
Brandon Koon and Blake Welch of Bethel University
Dalton Wilson and Randall Morris of Bethel University
Wild Card Qualifiers
Cody Ross and Dewey Swims of Bethel University
Mitch Mitchell and Evan Reid of Auburn University
Jacob Nummy and Tyler Strock of Auburn University at Montgomery
Adam Neill and Logan Shaddix of University of Alabama
Scott Cain and Jacob Argo of University of Alabama at Birmingham
Mike Huff and John Hunter of Georgetown College
John Nolan and Tyler Collins of University of West Georgia
Justin Cooper and John Ledet of Northwestern State University
Kenny Johnson and Bradley Rilling of University of West Georgia
Andrew Warbington and Mark Grant of University of West Alabama
John Maner and Ryan Darracott of University of North Alabama
Bryan Carroll and Alan Horwatt of Clemson University
Hayden Tilley and Alex Clayton of Northeast Alabama Community College
Thomas Oltorik and Aaron Comeens of Daytona State College
Patrick Walters and Gettys Brannon of University of South Carolina
Michael Corbishley and Ronnie Moore of East Carolina University
Tyler Craig and Jospeh Grassi of University of Louisiana-Monroe