(COLUMBIANA, Ala. – Nov. 19) – McKendree University senior Trevor McKinney (Benton, IL/Benton Consolidated) took home the title of Carhartt Bassmaster College Classic Bracket Champion Thursday afternoon. McKinney edged out his opponent, regular-season teammate Blake Jackson (Carterville, IL/Carterville), with an 11-lbs, 11-oz total weight catch in the final round.

*portions of this release were provided by the Bassmaster official release

The two Bearcats earned their bid into the College Classic Bracket after their fourth-place finish in the 2020 Carhartt Bassmaster National Championship earlier this month. This tournament featured the top-8 anglers from all collegiate teams across the nation to compete as individuals.

In the first round, both Jackson and McKinney secured individual victories, taking down the No.1 and No.2 seeded anglers from Bryan College. McKinney had the biggest catch of the of the day with a mixed bag of 12-lbs, 4-oz. With just 15 minutes left in the first round, McKinney caught a 4-lb. largemouth that put him at the advantage over his competition. Jackson had an afternoon abundance of catches that helped him to 7-lbs, 1-oz. victory over his No.1 seed competition.



Jackson caught a 2-lbs, 13-oz spotted bass (pictured below) early in the morning of the semifinals, that anchored his 9-lbs, 8-oz winning bag. McKinney caught two bass in the first few minutes and hit the weight limit before the first break. McKinney took the semifinals with a 7-lbs, 12-oz bag.





To start the final round, McKinney went back the point outside of the pocket where he had no previous success, to then catch a 40 fish and fulfill his weight limit of the hour. Jackson had his own success, catching all five keepers before the first break, trailing his teammate by six ounces. Jackson ended the final round with 10-lbs, 6-oz.

McKinney's prizes in winning this tournament include an entry pass into the professional circuit, the prestigious Bassmaster Classis, a paid ticket to the 2021 Academy + Sports Outdoor Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, that is scheduled for March 19-21, 2021. McKinney also walked away with $7,500 from Carhartt. Additionally, he is to receive a fully wrapped McKendree logo and university's colors Toyota Tundra two vehicle and Nirto Z20 powered by Mercury to use for the year. The boat is equipped with Humminbird electronics, Minn Kota Trolling Motor, and Shallow Water Anchors.