2018-19 SCHOOL OF THE YEAR STANDINGS

(LEBANON, Ill., May 8)—The McKendree University bass fishing program continues to lead the way in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year standings, which is presented by Abu Garcia.
 
Just one collegiate event has been held since the last update, and that was the McKendree Invitational last week on Carlyle Lake. The Bearcats reeled in three top-five finishes at the event to push its lead to 500 points over Murray State University, which has climbed back into the No. 2 spot in the School of the Year race. Bethel University sits in third, while Adrian College and Blue Mountain College round out the top five in the standings.
 
According to the latest School of the Year release, school-run events have proven to be a key component in the School of the Year race, as well as college fishing as a whole. These smaller events allow for the Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) to send in prize packages and allow schools to even raise money to help fund their programs. The opportunity to earn 100 points from a victory combined with points allotted for hosting makes the events very impactful.
 
McKendree took advantage of the opportunity to extend their lead by earning 110 points at the Invitational. The Bearcats' 500-point lead carries the teams into the final few weeks of the 2018-19 season, which includes the highly-valuable final event of the year, the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.
 
McKendree will return to the water May 18 at the Greenville Invitational on Lake Shelbyville.