(PARIS, Tenn., Dec. 9) – the McKendree University bass fishing team sent two boats to the Murray State Invitational in Paris, Tenn., this past weekend placing seventh and eighth.

McKendree anglers Bailey Bleser (Burlington, WI/Catholic Central) and Trey Schroeder (Crestwood, MO/Lindbergh) led the way for the Bearcats finishing in seventh place with 18.93 pounds. Trevor McKinney (Benton, IL/Benton) and Blake Jackson (Carterville, IL/Carterville) finished next for McKendree in eighth place with 15.22 pounds. McKinney also caught the big bass of the tournament, a 5.55 pound largemouth.

This tournament marked the first time that the Bearcats fished Kentucky Lake in December. With the lake drawn for the winter and the cooling water temps, the Bearcats faced new challenges in finding bass. The host school, Murray State, earned all top six finishes in the tournament with their vast knowledge over Kentucky Lake.

The next event for the bass fishing team will be the first stop on the 2020 Bassmaster Tour at the Toledo Bend Reservoir in Many, La., Jan. 23 through 25.