Bittersweet Experience photos

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<p>  </p> <p> Andrew Upshaw has a trying day on the water Sunday going up against teammate Ryan Watkins to become the first College B.AS.S. to make the Classic.</p>
 

Andrew Upshaw has a trying day on the water Sunday going up against teammate Ryan Watkins to become the first College B.AS.S. to make the Classic.

<p>  </p> <p> The 24-year-old from Hemphill, Texas, said the entire experience was overwhelming.</p>
 

The 24-year-old from Hemphill, Texas, said the entire experience was overwhelming.

<p>  </p> <p> After winning, he said, “I’m so proud I can represent my university and all the college anglers in the Bassmaster Classic.”</p>
 

After winning, he said, “I’m so proud I can represent my university and all the college anglers in the Bassmaster Classic.”

<p> Upshaw, tying on a new lure Sunday, didn’t have a fish in the livewell until the final moments.</p>
Upshaw, tying on a new lure Sunday, didn’t have a fish in the livewell until the final moments.
<p>  </p> <p> At one point, he said he had lost his composure, but he never gave up.</p>
 

At one point, he said he had lost his composure, but he never gave up.

<p> Both Upshaw and Watkins had difficulties figuring out the small reservoir that is managed for trophy fish.</p>
Both Upshaw and Watkins had difficulties figuring out the small reservoir that is managed for trophy fish.
<p>  </p> <p> Each tried a variety of techniques and lures to unlock what the fish wanted.</p>
 

Each tried a variety of techniques and lures to unlock what the fish wanted.

<p>  </p> <p> This was the fourth different fishery the two had fished in the as many day.</p>
 

This was the fourth different fishery the two had fished in the as many day.

<p>  </p> <p> Upshaw’s uncle, Billy Limerick, records some of the action while Upshaw’s father, Larry, finds some relief from the heat in the shade.</p>
 

Upshaw’s uncle, Billy Limerick, records some of the action while Upshaw’s father, Larry, finds some relief from the heat in the shade.

<p>  </p> <p> Upshaw lands a small bass on a crankbait and the next five images show its fate.</p>
 

Upshaw lands a small bass on a crankbait and the next five images show its fate.

<p>  </p> <p> Watkins caught his two fish around 9:30 a.m. and has difficulty finding exactly how the fish wanted baits presented.</p>
 

Watkins caught his two fish around 9:30 a.m. and has difficulty finding exactly how the fish wanted baits presented.

<p>  </p> <p> Upshaw hooks up again.</p>
 

Upshaw hooks up again.

<p>  </p> <p> Watkins keeps at it to no avail.</p>
 

Watkins keeps at it to no avail.

<p> Watkins casts a crankbait. </p>
Watkins casts a crankbait. 
<p>  </p> <p> His two fish came on a bluegill-colored Strike King KVD 2.5 square-billed crankbait.</p>
 

His two fish came on a bluegill-colored Strike King KVD 2.5 square-billed crankbait.

<p> Watkins would come up only 11 ounces short of his teammate.</p>
Watkins would come up only 11 ounces short of his teammate.
<p>  </p> <p> The two anglers pass one another moments before Upshaw would land his fish.</p>
 

The two anglers pass one another moments before Upshaw would land his fish.

<p>  </p> <p> Upshaw said competing against Watkins was like going up against Kevin VanDam to him.</p>
 

Upshaw said competing against Watkins was like going up against Kevin VanDam to him.

<p>  </p> <p> Upshaw’s winning fish both came in the last 12 minutes on a Norman Deep Little N crankbait.</p>
 

Upshaw’s winning fish both came in the last 12 minutes on a Norman Deep Little N crankbait.

<p>  </p> <p> On the format, Upshaw said, “When I first heard about this, I thought it was awesome. Now that I’ve won it, I feel humbled.”</p>
 

On the format, Upshaw said, “When I first heard about this, I thought it was awesome. Now that I’ve won it, I feel humbled.”