College: Pre-championship dinner

Collegiates sit down for friendly feast on eve of first day of fierce competition.

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<p>Carhartt rolled out all the goodies for the Carhartt College Series Championship Eve.</p>
Carhartt rolled out all the goodies for the Carhartt College Series Championship Eve.
<p>Kansas State hams it up with Yamaha.</p>
Kansas State hams it up with Yamaha.
<p>Hank Cherry hands out the Livingston Lures bags to the anglers.</p>
Hank Cherry hands out the Livingston Lures bags to the anglers.
<p>The line stretches around the rec center.</p>
The line stretches around the rec center.
<p>A shot from above as anglers make their way through.</p>
A shot from above as anglers make their way through.
<p>The National Championship is only a few hours away.</p>
The National Championship is only a few hours away.
<p>Get your Toyota Fishing Team gear!</p>
Get your Toyota Fishing Team gear!
<p>Quantum Fishing gear ready for the anglers.</p>
Quantum Fishing gear ready for the anglers.
<p>Livingston Lures had a grab bag ready for each angler.</p>
Livingston Lures had a grab bag ready for each angler.
<p>Anglers start filling their bags.</p>
Anglers start filling their bags.
<p>The anglers will be treated to a dinner after the meet and greet with sponsors.</p>
The anglers will be treated to a dinner after the meet and greet with sponsors.
<p>Yamaha had hats for every angler fishing the Championship.</p>
Yamaha had hats for every angler fishing the Championship.
<p>Skeeter caps for all.</p>
Skeeter caps for all.
<p>A look at the ride provided to Matt Lee after he won the Carhartt College Series Classic Bracket at the 2012 National Championship.</p>
A look at the ride provided to Matt Lee after he won the Carhartt College Series Classic Bracket at the 2012 National Championship.
<p>Part of Lee’s prize package, a tricked out Toyota Tacoma.</p>
Part of Lee’s prize package, a tricked out Toyota Tacoma.
<p>Lee proudly displayed the College Series shield on his Tacoma through the year.</p>
Lee proudly displayed the College Series shield on his Tacoma through the year.
<p>This week, the Top 4 teams will move on to the College Classic Bracket where another collegiate angler will punch a ticket to the Bassmaster Classic.</p>
This week, the Top 4 teams will move on to the College Classic Bracket where another collegiate angler will punch a ticket to the Bassmaster Classic.
<p>One last look at Matt Lee’s ride.</p>
One last look at Matt Lee’s ride.
<p>Back inside, Mississippi State does a little shopping at the Live Target table.</p>
Back inside, Mississippi State does a little shopping at the Live Target table.
<p>Humminbird had their product on display.</p>
Humminbird had their product on display.
<p>Rigid Industries LED Lighting had a handful of their lighting accessories there for the anglers to check out.</p>
Rigid Industries LED Lighting had a handful of their lighting accessories there for the anglers to check out.
<p>More caps thanks to Triton.</p>
More caps thanks to Triton.
<p>MotorGuide had a hat for every angler.</p>
MotorGuide had a hat for every angler.
<p>Mercury offered visors instead.</p>
Mercury offered visors instead.
<p>Live Target Blueback Herring might be a good choice on Chatuge this week.</p>
Live Target Blueback Herring might be a good choice on Chatuge this week.
<p>Every angler received Havoc soft plastics from Berkley.</p>
Every angler received Havoc soft plastics from Berkley.
<p>Mustang gave each angler their top of the line PFD.</p>
Mustang gave each angler their top of the line PFD.
<p>National Championship flags were available for all anglers.</p>
National Championship flags were available for all anglers.
<p>The National Championship trophies were on display for all the anglers to see.</p>
The National Championship trophies were on display for all the anglers to see.
<p>The centerpieces.</p>
The centerpieces.
<p>Grab a refreshment.</p>
Grab a refreshment.
<p>Security is keeping an eye on things.</p>
Security is keeping an eye on things.
<p>Free Mustang life vests for all.</p>
Free Mustang life vests for all.
<p>Bethel racks up.</p>
Bethel racks up.
<p>Georgia Southern is faced with tough decisions.</p>
Georgia Southern is faced with tough decisions.
<p>Are you a member of the Toyota Fishing Team?</p>
Are you a member of the Toyota Fishing Team?
<p>Murray State snags some Carhartt Gear.</p>
Murray State snags some Carhartt Gear.
<p>Some Humminbird knowledge is dispensed.</p>
Some Humminbird knowledge is dispensed.
<p>Another look at Rigid Industry LED Lighting’s display.</p>
Another look at Rigid Industry LED Lighting’s display.
<p>East Carolina has to pick a blue hat or a blue hat.</p>
East Carolina has to pick a blue hat or a blue hat.
<p>Mark Menendez helps out with the Skeeter booth.</p>
Mark Menendez helps out with the Skeeter booth.
<p>More life vests from Mustang.</p>
More life vests from Mustang.
<p>One last look at the grand prize of the week.</p>
One last look at the grand prize of the week.
<p>Get your Championship flag.</p>
Get your Championship flag.
<p>Anglers start to file in.</p>
Anglers start to file in.
<p>The podium is ready for our guest speakers.</p>
The podium is ready for our guest speakers.
<p>Tournament Manager Hank Weldon opens the ceremony.</p>
Tournament Manager Hank Weldon opens the ceremony.
<p>The first speaker of the evening, Young Harris College President Cathy Cox, was really excited to have such a large event in town.</p>
The first speaker of the evening, Young Harris College President Cathy Cox, was really excited to have such a large event in town.
<p>Carhartt’s Brian Spiro welcomes the anglers.</p>
Carhartt’s Brian Spiro welcomes the anglers.
<p>Spiro awarded Matt Lee with a framed copy of his Bassmaster cover.</p>
Spiro awarded Matt Lee with a framed copy of his Bassmaster cover.
<p>Jon Stewart steps in to welcome the anglers to the National Championship.</p>
Jon Stewart steps in to welcome the anglers to the National Championship.
<p>Zach Parker and Matt Roberts of Bethel won their belt for their 54-3 performance in the Southern Regional on Harris Chain.</p>
Zach Parker and Matt Roberts of Bethel won their belt for their 54-3 performance in the Southern Regional on Harris Chain.
<p>Robert Harkins and Michael Braswell of Chico State boat 50-4 in the Western Regional on Clear Lake.</p>
Robert Harkins and Michael Braswell of Chico State boat 50-4 in the Western Regional on Clear Lake.
<p style=
Andrew Loberg and Brandon Walker, also of Chico State, brought in 53-6 to break the half century mark.
<p style=
Zach MacDonald and Ryan Sparks of Oregon State won the western regional with 54-12 and hold the All-Time Two Day Heavy Weight Record. 
<p style=
Century Belts were awarded to teams which broke 50 pounds over two days in their respective Regional Championship.
<p style=
Elite Series pro Brandon Card talked to the anglers about making the transition from the college ranks to the Elite Series. 
<p style=
Jerry McKinnis stepped in to wish the anglers luck. 
<p style=
Mark Menendez offered some insight for the collegiate anglers on what they need to do to make it to the next level.
<p style=
Dinner time!
<p style=
Everyone makes their way through the food line.