(KIMBERLING CITY, Mo., April 10)- The McKendree University bass fishing team kept its hot streak alive this weekend, qualifying two teams for the 2017 FLW Collegiate Fishing National Championship.

The team recently jumped into sixth place in the Associate of Collegiate Anglers School of the Year race last week and competed this weekend at the Central Conference FLW Qualifier held on Table Rock Lake. The Bearcats competed in a tournament filed of 110 boats and 46 schools from throughout the midwest.

Anglers Austin Chapman (Blue Mound, Ill./Meridian) and Reece Ellerbusch (Belknap, Ill./Massac County) took fifth place with 15.3 lbs to earn their qualifying spot for the FLW National Championship. The team of Brock Wilke (St. Rose, Ill./Mater Dei Catholic High School) and Austin Niggli (Highland, Ill./Highland High School) finished in seventh place with 14.9 lbs and also earned a bid to the National finals.  

The Bearcats will be traveling to Wisconsin on April 16-17 for the University of Wisconsin College Shootout on Lake Wisconsin.