LEWISVILLE, Texas (Sept. 29, 2007)  - It was a traditional collegiate national championship showdown with teams from the Big 10, Big 12, WAC, Sun Belt and SEC athletic conferences in final contention for the title. It was the sport that was somewhat non-traditional but one that is rapidly gaining in stature.  This was bass fishing, and the event took place on Lake Lewisville just a short drive from downtown Dallas.

The Texas A&M team of Justin Rackley and Trevor Knight caught four keeper fish today, bass of at least 14-inches in length, to have a final weight of 7.60 pounds to take the national title home to College Station in the second annual BoatUS National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship. It was just enough to edge out Western Kentucky's team of Adam Hock and Nathan Baum, who had 6.72 pounds for the day.

“To win this is awesome,” said Knight. “We knew by late morning that this was a tough day and we were nervous about being one fish short of a limit.” 

“And we fished hard,” Rackley added. “We caught lots of short fish today, so we stayed optimistic about another keeper fish right up until weigh-in time. We're proud to take this national title back to A&M.”

The pair went on to say they caught two of their fish today on a small finesse soft plastic worm, one on a white tube and one on a jig. Their biggest fish of the day, a 3-pounder, was the first keeper caught and it came around 8 a.m. The final keeper was caught about 12:30 p.m.

Rounding out the top five teams who advanced to the third and final day of the championship were: 3rd place - the University of Alabama team of Rusty Jones and Daniel Statum; 4th place – University of Wisconsin – Madison's Derek and Drew Frederixon; and 5th place - Louisiana Tech's Chase Cates and Blake Snow.

The five teams had qualified for the final round by having the highest cumulative weights after the first two days of competition. Their weights were zeroed to start the last day.

The Texas A&M team, a Big 12 conference school, takes home a $14,000 scholarship check to their fishing club. Western Kentucky was awarded $8,000, Alabama $5,000, Wisconsin – Madison received $3,000 and La. Tech took home $2,000.

The championship began on Thursday of this week with a total of 83 teams from 48 schools of all sizes and conferences from across the country participating. The numbers were more than twice that of last year's inaugural event, with dozens more schools currently in the process of forming new fishing programs in order to be eligible for next year's event.

Finishing in the top 10 for the tournament and also receiving scholarship cash prizes for their respective school fishing clubs are: 6th place – Wabash College, James Ket and Andrew Newkirk, $1,000; 7th place – Virginia Tech, Chase Grinell and Brett Thompson, $700; 8th place – Stephen F. Austin State, Casey Sobczak and Kyle Turner, $600; 9th place – North Carolina State, Alex Freeman and Randall Hess, $400; and 10th place – Webber International, Marty Wilson and Mike Wise, $300.

The tournament was filmed extensively throughout the week to be aired as the BoatUS National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship television series on Fox College Sports beginning in early January 2008.

Click Here to watch last season's tournament online

The NCBFC is sponsored by BoatUS, BoatUS Angler, Cabela's, Ranger Boats, Yamaha, Garmin, Costa Del Mar, Stearns, Pioneer Beef Jerky, Anglers' Legacy, EGO Nets, Sebile, American Rodsmiths, Aviva Fishin' Buddy, Biosonix, Bill Lewis Lures, Gene Larew Lures, Nemire Lures, Keelshield, Minn Kota, Sperry Top-Sider, Power-Pole, Outdoor Specialty Products, City of Lewisville, Sneaky Pete's Marina, the Collegiate Bass Anglers Association and Fox College Sports.

Final Standings

Field = 83 boats

1. Texas A&M University -- Trevor Knight/Justin Rackley -- 5, 11.16 -- 5, 9.06 -- 10, 20.22 -- 4, 7.60 -- $14,000

2. Western Kentucky University -- Adam Hock/Nathan Baum -- 5, 10.86 -- 5, 10.69 -- 10, 21.55 -- 4, 6.72 -- $8,000

3. University of Alabama -- Rusty Jones/Daniel Statum -- 4, 7.78 -- 5, 10.42 -- 9, 18.20 -- 3, 4.68 -- $5,000

4. University of Wisconsin - Madison -- Derek Frederixon/Drew Frederixon -- 5, 10.91 -- 5, 10.88 -- 10, 21.79 -- 3, 5.90 -- $3,000

5. Louisiana Tech University -- Chase Cates/Blake Snow -- 5, 12.92 -- 5, 10.66 -- 10, 23.58 -- 2, 3.24 -- $2,000

The following teams didn't make the cut and didn't fish Day 3:

6. Wabash College -- James Ket/Andrew Newkirk -- 5, 10.74 -- 4, 7.16 -- 9, 17.90 -- $1,000

7. Virginia Tech -- Chase W. Grinnell/Brett Thompson -- 3, 7.24 -- 5, 9.88 -- 8, 17.12 -- $700

8. Stephen F. Austin State University -- Casey Sobczak/Kyle Lynn Turner -- 4, 7.66 -- 4, 8.73 -- 8, 16.39 -- $600

9. North Carolina State University -- Alex Freeman/Randall Hess -- 5, 12.07 -- 2, 3.67 -- 7, 15.74 -- $400

10. Webber International University -- Marty Joe Wilson/Mike Wise -- 2, 4.85 -- 5, 10.15 -- 7, 15.00 -- $300

11. Northwestern State University -- Jarred Williams/Nathan Fields -- 1, 2.09 -- 5, 12.78 -- 6, 14.87

12. University of Arkansas -- Jerid Jones/Chris Jackson -- 1, 1.95 -- 5, 12.42 -- 6, 14.37

13. Freed - Hardeman University -- Tyler Hughes/Nathan Pirtle -- 2, 2.89 -- 4, 11.20 -- 6, 14.09

14. Mississippi State -- Chris Rivers/Roger Morrow -- 1, 1.96 -- 5, 11.72 -- 6, 13.68

15. Mississippi State -- Cal Clark/Sam Lawrence -- 3, 7.66 -- 2, 5.96 -- 5, 13.62

16. University of Montevallo -- Casey Crumpton/Clent Davis -- 5, 13.24 -- 0, 0.00 -- 5, 13.24

17. University of Iowa -- Tyler Larsen/Nick Hansen -- 5, 9.80 -- 2, 3.44 -- 7, 13.24

18. Texas Tech University -- Richard Wilson/Jacob Kinard -- 4, 7.34 -- 3, 5.80 -- 7, 13.14

19. Kansas State University -- Ben Fuchs/Scott Feldt -- 2, 4.32 -- 3, 8.64 -- 5, 12.96

20. Texas A&M University -- Andrew Shafer/Kenny Stewart -- 2, 3.70 -- 3, 8.88 -- 5, 12.58

21. Texas A&M University - Kingsville -- Jerod Hawkes/Cameron Crow -- 3, 8.23 -- 2, 4.25 -- 5, 12.48

22. Oklahoma State University -- James Elam/Daniel Davis -- 4, 7.69 -- 2, 4.78 -- 6, 12.47

23. Texas Tech University -- Tyler Dupriest/Jonathan Caulon -- 4, 7.46 -- 2, 4.47 -- 6, 11.93

24. University of Oregon -- Gregor Crowl/Carter Troughton -- 2, 3.79 -- 4, 7.96 -- 6, 11.75

25. University of Alabama -- Hank Weldon/Jeff Aul -- 3, 5.58 -- 3, 6.04 -- 6, 11.62

26. Louisiana Tech University -- Aaron Rogillio/Tyler Seth Tatum -- 5, 11.42 -- 0, 0.00 -- 5, 11.42

27. St. Ambrose University -- Tony DeVolder/Tim DeVolder -- 1, 2.08 -- 5, 8.52 -- 6, 10.60

28. University of Kentucky -- Brandon Card/Aaron Young -- 3, 6.12 -- 2, 4.00 -- 5, 10.12

29. Lipscomb University -- Tyler Vickery/Kyle McAfee -- 0, 0.00 -- 4, 9.82 -- 4, 9.82

30. Faulkner University -- Michael Eubanks/Justin Barnes -- 1, 2.49 -- 3, 7.10 -- 4, 9.59

31. University of Oklahoma -- Jordon Nichols/Matt Pangrac -- 2, 5.70 -- 2, 3.75 -- 4, 9.45

32. Arkansas Tech University -- Scott Lambert/Eric Shatford -- 5, 9.22 -- 0, 0.00 -- 5, 9.22

33. Purdue University -- Paul Smith/Aaron McAlexander -- 2, 3.48 -- 2, 5.26 -- 4, 8.74

34. Virginia Tech -- Charlie Machek/Scott Wiley -- 2, 4.44 -- 2, 3.88 -- 4, 8.32

35. Southwestern Michigan College -- John Armon/Gipson Barry Jones -- 1, 1.74 -- 3, 6.94 -- 4, 8.18

36. University of Tennessee at Martin -- Houston Smith/Chris Collier -- 2, 5.05 -- 1, 2.98 -- 3, 8.03

37. University of Texas at Arlington -- Brady Beal/Bryan Lewis -- 0, 0.00 -- 4, 7.82 -- 4, 7.82

38. Arkansas Tech University -- Matthew Goddard/Joey Potts -- 1, 1.68 -- 2, 5.93 -- 3, 7.61

39. Drury University -- Alex Sahliyeh/Drew Sanford -- 0, 0.00 -- 4, 7.32 -- 4, 7.32

40. North Central Texas College -- Daniel McGrew/Clinton Wade Kyle -- 1, 2.75 -- 3, 4.20 -- 4, 6.95

41. University of Tennessee at Martin -- Ben Ballou/Matthew Tubbs -- 2, 4.60 -- 1, 2.30 -- 3, 6.90

42. University of Louisville -- Cody Greenwell/Josh Cole -- 1, 1.90 -- 2, 4.92 -- 3, 6.82

43. North Carolina State University -- Bryce McClenney/Josh Quesinberry -- 1, 2.12 -- 2, 4.64 -- 3, 6.76

44. University of Nebraska -- Tony Cimino/Drew Friedrich -- 1, 2.41 -- 2, 4.02 -- 3, 6.43

45. University of Texas at Arlington -- Tim Merkin/Eddie Campirano -- 1, 4.10 -- 1, 2.21 -- 2, 6.31

46. Penn State University -- David L Grube II/Derrick Hughes -- 1, 2.54 -- 1, 3.69 -- 2, 6.23

47. Arizona State University -- Jason Rayls/Brent Perkins -- 3, 4.48 -- 1, 1.70 -- 4, 6.18

48. University of Texas at Austin -- Ty Brockhoeft/Bradley Bell -- 2, 3.63 -- 1, 2.42 -- 3, 6.05

49. University of Oklahoma -- Justin Lee Hurd/Jarrett Morrison -- 1, 1.98 -- 2, 3.74 -- 3, 5.72

50. Stephen F. Austin State University -- Blake Whatley/Gregory Aiken May -- 1, 2.24 -- 2, 3.16 -- 3,

5.40

51. Faulkner University -- Kevin Long/Kyle Tindol -- 3, 5.37 -- 0, 0.00 -- 3, 5.37

52. Kansas State University -- Casey Smith/Chris Hunter -- 1, 1.58 -- 2, 3.79 -- 3, 5.37

53. Murray State University -- Steve Miller/Drew Snider -- 2, 5.19 -- 0, 0.00 -- 2, 5.19

54. Eastern Kentucky University -- Andrew Luxon/Mike Blanton -- 0, 0.00 -- 2, 5.17 -- 2, 5.17

55. Drury University -- Drew Simon -- 1, 2.71 -- 1, 2.17 -- 2, 4.88

56. University of North Carolina at Charlotte -- Luke Helms/Brooks Beatty -- 2, 4.34 -- 0, 0.00 -- 2, 4.34

57. Purdue University -- Micheal Allen/Chad Dunham -- 2, 4.32 -- 0, 0.00 -- 2, 4.32

58. University of Arkansas -- Henry Dust/Jared Clayton -- 1, 2.19 -- 1, 2.02 -- 2, 4.21

59. Murray State University -- Kyle Cauley/Dustin Phillips -- 1, 1.99 -- 1, 1.99 -- 2, 3.98

60. Baylor University -- Tim Harrell II/Jay Holland -- 0, 0.00 -- 2, 3.67 -- 2, 3.67

61. University of Alabama -- Brent Frederick/George Mitchell -- 2, 3.49 -- 0, 0.00 -- 2, 3.49

62. University of Oregon -- Chris Alan Parks/Tanner Messner -- 1, 3.37 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 3.37

63. Western Michigan University -- Matt Monroe/Jonathon VanDam -- 0, 0.00 -- 2, 3.15 -- 2, 3.15

64. University of Kentucky -- Todd Hodges/John McDaniel -- 1, 3.10 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 3.10

65. Penn State University -- Dave Steinour/Jason Randall Haney -- 1, 3.08 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 3.08

66. Webber International University -- Harris Hartley/Duane Bowman -- 1, 2.68 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 2.68

67. Arizona State University -- Mitch Kistner/Craig Carroll -- 1, 2.37 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 2.37

68. Tarleton State University -- Tanner Morgan/Chris Michels -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 2.35 -- 1, 2.35

69. Indiana University -- Jesse Schultz/Ryan Queen -- 1, 2.12 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 2.12

70. Tarleton State University -- Cole Koenig/Kyle Aric Barfield -- 1, 2.02 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 2.02

71. Ball State University -- Bradley Hostetler/Brett Hicks -- 1, 1.90 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 1.90

72. Oklahoma State University -- Orie Chambers/Josh Bryant -- 1, 1.87 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 1.87

73. Oklahoma State University -- Kris McDonald/Aaron Hoffman -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 1.84 -- 1, 1.84

74. University of Texas at Arlington -- Tiffany Spencer/Mark Allen Lakins -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 1.83 -- 1, 1.83

75. University of Oklahoma -- Chip Porche/Matt Peters -- 1, 1.79 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 1.79

76. Ball State University -- Adam Linkenhoker/Jed Puckett -- 1, 1.66 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 1.66

77. University of Iowa -- Ross Koehler/Robert Salow -- 1, 1.56 -- 0, 0.00 -- 1, 1.56

78. University of Montevallo -- Josh Lamar -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00

79. Louisiana Tech University -- Brock Brunson/Jordan Wiggins -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00

80. University of Louisiana at Lafayette -- Cody McCrary/Justin Romero -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00

81. Northwestern State University -- Jeffrey Rich/Jonathan Bennett -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00

82. University of Iowa -- Robert Downey/John Haynes -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00

83. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater -- Doug Rosenthal/Kimberly Larsen -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00 -- 0, 0.00

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