College bass clubs re-upping in pursuit of FLW College Fishing National Championship

High-school seniors from around the country will soon be graduating and many are beginning to make the important decision of where they will be attending college this fall. The presence (or lack) of a bass fishing club has become one of the many deciding factors that students have began to consider when selecting a college. As we enter into the spring of 2013, many young anglers have now made their academic decisions and will pursue success while joining the ranks of college fishing.

Lakeville North High School senior Tyler Mohr from Lakeville, Minn. has made his decision. He will be attending Winona State University, and plans to fish for their bass team this fall.

“My education is my top priority,” said Mohr, who plans to major in broadcasting and journalism. “Both of my parents are teachers, so education has always been extremely important in my house. College fishing was one of the main factors in deciding what college I would attend, though. I basically eliminated any school from consideration that didn’t have a bass fishing team.

“Winona State just seemed to be the best fit for me,” Mohr continued. “I liked everything about the college – the layout and the people. They really just drew me in. Plus, they have some great fishing down there so that didn’t hurt.”

Mohr plans on using his time at Winona State to grow and improve, not just on the water but as a person.

“I’m excited to get there and learn new things and just do what I love and enjoy doing,” he went on to say. “I’ve been looking forward to this since I realized that it was an option for me. I just want to take every opportunity that I can to improve.”

Chelsey Queen, a senior at Bandys High School in Catawba, N.C., became the second girl to ever receive a scholarship for bass fishing at Bethel University, and plans to fish for the Wildcats starting in 2014.

“I had already made the decision to attend a different university,” said Queen, who won the 2012 North Carolina High School State Fishing Championship on High Rock Lake. “Then (Bethel University) Coach Mason approached me and offered me a scholarship, and it didn’t take me long to make the decision to become a college angler.”

Chelsey said that her goal for her college career is to fish in the FLW College Fishing National Championship.

“I would love to fish in the FLW College Fishing National Championship before my college career comes to an end,” she said. “I’m going to enter every tournament that I can with the mindset to win.”

Pottsville High School senior Baylee Linker from Bentonville, Ark., is no stranger to fishing. She’s fished multiple events as a co-angler at the sports highest level – the FLW Tour. She will be attending Arkansas Tech University and plans on fishing for their bass club in the fall.

“I always knew that I wanted to go to college, but I was never real excited about it,” Linker said. “I fish in the River Valley Youth Fishing Club here in Arkansas, and when I started making plans for college I realized that I could pursue my dreams through fishing.

“Fishing as a co-angler on the FLW Tour – you learn so much from those pros when you are in the back of the boat,” she continued. “I’m so competitive; I just want to keep fishing more and more.

“I chose Arkansas Tech University because I love that college,” Linker continued. “Everyone there is so friendly and caring and it’s great to have that support system. I want to be a successful full-time student, and prove to myself that I can do it. My goal is to win some tournaments, and prove to myself that I can fish just as good as the guys.”

South Gibson High School senior Ty Dyer of Medina, Tenn., will also be fishing for the Bethel University Wildcats in 2014.

“Throughout high school, I fished with the Jackson Christian School Bass Club coached by Kenny Dunivan,” Dyer said. “He really did a lot for me and taught me more than just fishing. I learned about perseverance and how to work hard towards a goal even when you may not be successful. He’s the reason that I’m interested in college fishing.”

Dyer says the Dunivan was instrumental in working with Bethel University Bass Fishing Coach Garry Mason, who recruited Dyer and offered him a scholarship to fish for the Wildcats.

“The bass club was obviously a draw for me to come to Bethel, but it wasn’t the biggest factor,” Dyer said. “It’s a very welcoming environment, and the biggest draw for me was really the atmosphere. The students, the coaching staff and everyone on the team – they were so nice. I want to grow as a person. I believe that I will learn a lot there, about fishing and growing as a person.”

Dyer plans to pursue a Physician’s Assistant degree before moving into physical therapy.

College Bass Clubs across the country are adding to their ranks in their pursuit of one goal – the FLW College Fishing National Championship. Rogers, Ark., is gearing up to host the 2013 FLW College Fishing National Championship April 19-21 on Beaver Lake. Twenty-five teams from across the country already have competed in 20 qualifying events and five conference championship tournaments, and the top five teams from each conference now will compete for the title of national champion in this three-day nationally televised event.

The national championship awards the top team a $30,000 prize package, including a Ranger Z117 with a 90-horsepower engine and an entry into the 2013 Forrest Wood Cup. The team member fishing as a pro in the Forrest Wood Cup also receives the use of a wrapped Ranger boat and Chevy tow vehicle. All prize money earned in the Forrest Wood Cup goes directly to the individual who earns it. The Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing, will be held Aug. 15-18 on the Red River in Shreveport, La., and will offer the collegiate anglers the opportunity to compete for a top award of $500,000.