College: Day 3 takeoff

The college teams take to the water for Day 3 of the Carhartt College Series National Championship.

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Jake Whitaker and Andrew Helms of UNC Charlotte chat with a friend at launch on Day 3 of the 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship.
Jake Whitaker and Andrew Helms of UNC Charlotte chat with a friend at launch on Day 3 of the 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship.
Dave Ittner of Yamaha takes the team's photo before they head out on Chatuge Reservoir.
Dave Ittner of Yamaha takes the team’s photo before they head out on Chatuge Reservoir.
Parents and siblings of Whitaker and Helms make up Team UNC Charlotte.
Parents and siblings of Whitaker and Helms make up Team UNC Charlotte.
Ben Oliver sets up the mic on Bethel University's Zach Parker. Oliver is part of the ESPN production crew that will be filming the competitors all day on the water.
Ben Oliver sets up the mic on Bethel University’s Zach Parker. Oliver is part of the ESPN production crew that will be filming the competitors all day on the water.
Cameraman Cary Barrett talks to Tanner Cooper about what to expect during filming today.
Cameraman Cary Barrett talks to Tanner Cooper about what to expect during filming today.
ESPN announcer Tommy Sanders meets with some of the boat drivers who will be taking out camera boats.
ESPN announcer Tommy Sanders meets with some of the boat drivers who will be taking out camera boats.
The crowd is decidedly smaller on Day 3, now that the field has dropped from 83 teams to five.
The crowd is decidedly smaller on Day 3, now that the field has dropped from 83 teams to five.
Cooper's mom came all the way from New Mexico to support her son.
Cooper’s mom came all the way from New Mexico to support her son. “Of course I did,” she said. “I’m his biggest, biggest fan. He’s my world.”
All the teams put the finishing touches on before heading out.
All the teams put the finishing touches on before heading out.
The teams stand for the singing of the national anthem.
The teams stand for the singing of the national anthem.
Day 2 leaders Roberts and Parker will be the first out this morning. They get into position.
Day 2 leaders Roberts and Parker will be the first out this morning. They get into position.
Roberts has his game face on.
Roberts has his game face on.
Supporters stand at the dock and watch as the boats pull away to stage.
Supporters stand at the dock and watch as the boats pull away to stage.
Cooper and Nunez are already being filmed before they even take off.
Cooper and Nunez are already being filmed before they even take off.
The teams launch in order, and it takes less than a minute.
The teams launch in order, and it takes less than a minute.
Cooper's mom and grandmother are going out in a spectator boat to watch Cooper and Nunez. They yell when the competitors' names are called for launch.
Cooper’s mom and grandmother are going out in a spectator boat to watch Cooper and Nunez. They yell when the competitors’ names are called for launch.
The next round of the launch, kind of, is the set of additional camera boats.
The next round of the launch, kind of, is the set of additional camera boats. “We have more boats out there for TV today than we do teams,” said Hank Weldon, College B.A.S.S. manager.
Justin Atkins, center, of Mississippi State finished in 31st place, but he didn't head home. Instead, he is going out on a boat with Young Harris resident and College B.A.S.S. alum Brad Rutherford and Atkins' girlfriend, Tessa Johnson, to watch Parker and Roberts of Bethel fish today.
Justin Atkins, center, of Mississippi State finished in 31st place, but he didn’t head home. Instead, he is going out on a boat with Young Harris resident and College B.A.S.S. alum Brad Rutherford and Atkins’ girlfriend, Tessa Johnson, to watch Parker and Roberts of Bethel fish today.