Bethel University Finishes Third in Bassmasters College Series Tournament on Kentucky Lake

PARIS, Tenn. - The Bethel University Wildcats finished in third place Thursday with Wildcat seniors Dylan Forgarty and Hunter Fillmore leading the charge for the Bass Cats.

Fillmore and Fogarty went to the scales on day two with five Smallmouth Bass weighing in at 19 pounds, fifteen ounces to bring their total two-day ten fish weigh of forty pounds, four ounces for the tournament. This third-place finish qualified the two Bethel anglers to a berth in the Bassmasters College National Championship to be held in August on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina.

Also qualifying for the national championship for Bethel were the teams of Colby Carrier and partner Justin Frey with a total weight of thirty-seven pounds, five ounces for eleventh place in the tournament and teammates Chase Milholen and partner Colton Harbin with thirty-five pounds, nine ounces for sixteenth place in the tournament.

All three Bethel qualifiers had mostly smallmouth bass in their limit of five fish for both days of the event. Bethel had a total of fifteen boats in the tournament held on Kentucky Lake out Paris Landing Marina. 

Hats off to The University of Montevallo for winning the tournament and also for placing second place as well. 

"With over two hundred and sixteen boats in the field competing IN this tournament we are very proud to have three of our Bethel boats and six of our anglers qualify for the national championship," said Coach Garry Mason.

"Our guys have fished hard this entire season and it shows in the national rankings, "said Mason.

The Bethel Bass Team is ranked number six in the nation in the American College Anglers poll and ranked number one in the nation with Major League Fishing for team of the year.

The Bass Cats have one more Major League Fishing tournament next week on Lake Guntersville then head to Saginaw Michigan in June for the final Bassmasters event to wind up their season.