Bearcat Anglers Qualify Two More Boats for Bassmaster National Championship

LEESBURG, Fla. - The Bearcat Anglers competed in the first Bassmaster College Series of the 2025 season this past weekend on Harris Chain of Lakes, consisting of 231 boats.

Day one of the two-day event was canceled due to severe weather and unsafe conditions. On day two, McKendree had two boats qualify for the Bassmaster Collegiate National Championship. The first boat to qualify from the one-day shootout was junior Ethan Fields, fishing solo, who placed 13th with five fish for 15.12 pounds. The boat of sophomore duo Parker Welch & Angelo Malek placed 23rd with five fish for 13.15 pounds, earning their berths into the Championship tourney.

Other Bearcat Anglers Weighing In:
58th - Graduate student Harmon Marien & freshman Mason Darling with 10.4 pounds
63rd - Freshman Dawson Hendrix & junior Henry Fleddermann with 9.15 pounds
72nd - Senior duo Jack Stephens & Lane Stephens with 9.6 pounds
79th - Graduate student Colton Hill & sophomore Ryan Foster with 9.0 pounds
91st - Junior Connor Hall & freshman Carson Belville with 8.3 pounds
142nd - Junior Kai Barnett & senior Kyle Hopping with 6.3 pounds
144th - Senior duo Evan Sutton & Jaxson Freeman with 6.1 pounds
148th - Freshman duo Evan McCormick & Cole Sampson with 5.15 pounds
165th - Freshman Zach Widelski & junior Tucker Siminak with 4.3 pounds
197th - Senior Maxwell Trotter & freshman Chase Logue with 1.12 pounds

"I am really proud of all these guys for a great tournament. The weather conditions were extremely tough. causing the water temperatures to drop 10 to 12 degrees in a couple of days and throwing them a big curve ball," said head coach Jon Rinderer. "Despite these tough conditions, we still had multiple teams that were able to catch their limit and finish strong."

The Bearcat Anglers are back in action Feb. 26-27 as they compete in the Bassmaster College Series on Smith Lake in Cullman, Ala.

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Players Mentioned

Kai Barnett: 5' 10"; Junior

Carson Belville: 5' 10"; Freshman

Mason Darling: 6' 3"; Freshman

Ethan Fields: 5' 10"; Junior

Henry Fleddermann: 5' 10"; Junior

Ryan Foster: Sophomore

Jaxson Freeman: 5' 9"; Senior

Connor Hall: 6' 2"; Junior

Dawson Hendrix: 6' 0"; Freshman

Colton Hill: 6' 1"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Kai Barnett
: 5' 10"; Junior

Carson Belville
: 5' 10"; Freshman

Mason Darling
: 6' 3"; Freshman

Ethan Fields
: 5' 10"; Junior

Henry Fleddermann
: 5' 10"; Junior

Ryan Foster
: Sophomore

Jaxson Freeman
: 5' 9"; Senior

Connor Hall
: 6' 2"; Junior

Dawson Hendrix
: 6' 0"; Freshman

Colton Hill
: 6' 1"; Graduate Student