College Wild Card: Registration

The final chance for College anglers to punch their ticket to the National Championship is upon us at Lay Lake in Shelby County, AL.
The final chance for College anglers to punch their ticket to the National Championship is upon us at Lay Lake in Shelby County, AL.
The University of Montevallo hosted the 130 teams that will battle it out in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Wildcard presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lay Lake.
The University of Montevallo hosted the 130 teams that will battle it out in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Wildcard presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lay Lake.
Teams arrived early to start registering and getting goodies from sponsors.
Teams arrived early to start registering and getting goodies from sponsors.
Qualifying for the National Championship is the main goal, but teams definitely wanted this piece of hardware when it's all said and done.
Qualifying for the National Championship is the main goal, but teams definitely wanted this piece of hardware when it’s all said and done.
Teams from Faulkner University and Jefferson State CC gather on the couches.
Teams from Faulkner University and Jefferson State CC gather on the couches.
Phoenix brought a shipment of hats for anglers and had multiple colors.
Phoenix brought a shipment of hats for anglers and had multiple colors.
They also had decals and catalogs.
They also had decals and catalogs.
Toyota provided some key floats, which are important when keys are close to the water.
Toyota provided some key floats, which are important when keys are close to the water.
They also advertised their college video contest. The winners will get to fish with the Lee brothers later this year.
They also advertised their college video contest. The winners will get to fish with the Lee brothers later this year.
Bill Carson of Humminbird and Minn Kota shows off some of the newest units and technology.
Bill Carson of Humminbird and Minn Kota shows off some of the newest units and technology.
Montevallo had a beautiful campus and had plenty of space to accommodate the 130+ teams.
Montevallo had a beautiful campus and had plenty of space to accommodate the 130+ teams.
Montevallo had a wall of fame for their sports history.
Montevallo had a wall of fame for their sports history.
Auburn brought numerous teams here and are one of the closest schools.
Auburn brought numerous teams here and are one of the closest schools.
The Top 18 teams will make the National Championship when it's all settled after Saturday.
The Top 18 teams will make the National Championship when it’s all settled after Saturday.
Thomas Oltorik caught me taking photos from the second floor.
Thomas Oltorik caught me taking photos from the second floor.
Anglers are only allowed to fish the wildcard if they already fished a regional this year. You can tell because there were Carhartt shirts from past regionals littered throughout the crowd.
Anglers are only allowed to fish the wildcard if they already fished a regional this year. You can tell because there were Carhartt shirts from past regionals littered throughout the crowd.
Montevallo also had banners hung in their gym.
Montevallo also had banners hung in their gym.
East Texas Baptist University made the trek from Texas.
East Texas Baptist University made the trek from Texas.
Trevor McKinney of McKendree also caught me taking his photo.
Trevor McKinney of McKendree also caught me taking his photo.
McKendree University had a team take the Midwest Regional title at Lake of the Ozarks earlier this year.
McKendree University had a team take the Midwest Regional title at Lake of the Ozarks earlier this year.
Food was provided for the anglers. The BBQ was delicious.
Food was provided for the anglers. The BBQ was delicious.
Plenty of buns to go around.
Plenty of buns to go around.
Take a cookie for desert too. I may have grabbed one before dinner, but you can't prove that.
Take a cookie for desert too. I may have grabbed one before dinner, but you can’t prove that.
It wouldn't be an Alabama tournament without sweet tea at the meeting.
It wouldn’t be an Alabama tournament without sweet tea at the meeting.
Teams were released from the gym to start grabbing dinner.
Teams were released from the gym to start grabbing dinner.
Alabama and Auburn dig in at the same time. There were no scuffles to be reported.
Alabama and Auburn dig in at the same time. There were no scuffles to be reported.
Nothing better than a barbecue sandwich.
Nothing better than a barbecue sandwich.
Caleb Wozniak and Austin Handley are trying to making it to the Champoinship again, where they finished 4th last year and competed in the bracket.
Caleb Wozniak and Austin Handley are trying to making it to the Champoinship again, where they finished 4th last year and competed in the bracket.
JP Kimbrough checks out the map with some other anglers.
JP Kimbrough checks out the map with some other anglers.
Jordan Hartman of Murray State is focused.
Jordan Hartman of Murray State is focused.
Jon Stewart talks to the anglers about enjoying the college tournaments because they will miss them when they are done.
Jon Stewart talks to the anglers about enjoying the college tournaments because they will miss them when they are done.
The University of North Alabama had multiple teams here.
The University of North Alabama had multiple teams here.
The host school of Montevallo had a few as well.
The host school of Montevallo had a few as well.
Josh Worth of Colorado Mesa made a trip down south.
Josh Worth of Colorado Mesa made a trip down south.
Hunter Louden of Bethel University reads over the rules.
Hunter Louden of Bethel University reads over the rules.
Shane Campbell of McKendree listens to Tournament Director Hank Weldon.
Shane Campbell of McKendree listens to Tournament Director Hank Weldon.
Weldon explained the rules and how this tournament would operate. Takeoff starts early on Thursday as teams will leave Beeswax Creek at 5:30 a.m. CT and first flight will check back at 1:30 p.m. CT.
Weldon explained the rules and how this tournament would operate. Takeoff starts early on Thursday as teams will leave Beeswax Creek at 5:30 a.m. CT and first flight will check back at 1:30 p.m. CT.