(LEBANON, Ill., April 3)—The McKendree University bass fishing team turned in a winning performance at the Bassmaster/Carhartt Midwest Regional held Wednesday through Friday at the Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Mo.
 
The Bearcats registered their ninth consecutive top-five finish with its victory at the Lake of the Ozarks. McKendree actually had two top-five efforts as a second boat placed fourth in the 141-team field at the three-day tournament.
 
At the Bassmaster Midwestern Regional, a team's total weight for the first two days needed to be in the top 20 in order to fish on the third and final day for the title of Bassmaster champs. The day one weigh-in was moved up due to strong predicted storms of hail, possible tornadoes and up to three inches of rain. However, the Bearcats' squad of J.T. Russell and Jacob Louis (Pinckneyville, IL/Pinckneyville) sat atop the field after the first day with a five-fish limit that weighed a whopping 22 pounds, 10 ounces. Brock Wilke (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei) and Brady Faust (Swansea, IL/Belleville East) were not far behind in fourth place at 19 pounds, five ounces for their five keepers.
 
Day two proved to be a bit tougher as the lake temperatures dropped and cool winds blew after the front passed through. Once the weigh-ins were completed, both McKendree teams still sat in the top 20 and qualified to fish on the third and final day of the tournament. Russell and Louis held down third place at 38 pounds, five ounces, while Wilke and Faust sat in 10^th place at 32 pounds, two ounces. Lake Superior State University held down the team lead after day two at 41 pounds, seven ounces.
 
The third and final day was exciting for the fans in attendance. Tension mounted as camera crews continued to update the live blog with on-the-water photos and estimated weights. A noon update showed the McKendree teams back in the pack. However, shortly before the 2:45 p.m. weigh-in, updates said the Bearcat squads had reeled in some big catches and were ready to make a run at the title, which included an automatic bid to the Bassmaster National Championship in August.
 
The team of Wilke and Faust weighed in first for McKendree. Their five-fish haul checked in at 22 pounds, two ounces to move the duo from 10^th into fourth place. Russell and Louis soon brought in their haul, which weighed in at 22 pounds, 11 ounces to mark their second five-fish sack clocking in at better than 22 pounds. That pushed the team of Russell and Louis into the overall lead with just two teams left to weigh in. But the final two squads could not match the totals put up by Russell and Louis, who won the event for McKendree.
 
"I am so proud of this entire team for their dedication and passion for the sport of bass fishing," said McKendree head coach Jon Rinderer. "Due to the back-to-back scheduling of tournaments, our team had to drive straight from the Dardenelle Tournament (in Arkansas) to fish the Bassmaster. The nine-day run has been a true testament to their desire to compete hard, their overall sportsmanship and team camaraderie. They drove over 1,000 miles, were up by 5 a.m. or earlier eady and every day, fished for at least eight hours a day, and completed class assignments in the evenings. They overcame weather, new waters, breakdowns, and a grueling schedule to have an incredible week. This victory solidifies this team as one of the current powerhouses in collegiate bass fishing,"
 
Six other McKendree boats competed at the Bassmaster Midwestern Regional and had a very competitive stay, but did not qualify for the third and final day of action. Phillip Germagliotti (Highland, IL/Highland) and Brad Watt led the group in 47^th place, while Trevor McKinney (Benton, IL/Benton) and Curtis Lilly (Sterling, IL/Sterling) were right behind in 48^th place. Brendan Madden (St. Louis, MO/Vianney) and Brock Meigs (Salem, IL/Salem) placed 53^rd overall as Taylor Schmitt (Lebanon, IL/Lebanon) and Brad Wyss (Gardner, IL/Seneca) were is 58^th position. Shane Campbell (Highland, IL/Highland) and Trent Robinson took 72^nd place as Austin Chapman (Blue Mound, IL/Meridian) and Jake Freeman (Highland, IL/Highland) finished in 101^st place.