Fields, Freeman Reel In Third at Major League Fishing National Championship

WHEELER LAKE, Ala. - The McKendree University Anglers competed in the Major League Fishing National Championship April 9-11 on Wheeler Lake in Alabama.

At the start of the season, hundreds of teams tried to qualify for the MLF National Championship and only 136 teams made it. Out of those 136 teams, six were McKendree University teams.

On day one, the Bearcat Anglers got off to a strong start with junior Ethan Fields and senior Jaxson Freeman weighing five for 20-4, placing 7th overall. Senior duo Jack Stephens and Lane Stephens also had a great day with five bass for 19-8, placing 13th. Graduate student Harmon Marien and senior Maxwell Trotter placed 52nd and weighed five for 14-11. Freshman duo Chase Logue and Liam Bonnett weighed five for 14-3, finishing in 60th place. Sophomore duo Ryan Foster and Angelo Malek had five for 13-5, placing 70th place. In 78th were junior duo Zach Pocos and Tucker Siminak with five for 12-11.

On day two, Fields and Freeman caught a five-bass limit for 17-12 giving them a two-day total of 38 pounds, placing them in 5th advancing to the third day. Only the top 10 teams fish on the final day of the National Championship. Jack Stephens and Lane Stephens finished 54th overall with 28-1. Pocos and Siminak rebounded today with five for 15 and a two-day total of 27-11 for a 56th-place finish. Marien and Trotter also weighed a limit on both days for 26-14 with a 63rd-place finish. Finishing 71st was Logue and Bonnett with a two-day limit for 25-11. Following right behind was Foster and Malek with a 72nd place finish, weighing in a two-day limit of 25-10.

On the final day, Fields and Freeman caught quality bass throughout the day. At the end of the day, they weighed five beautiful smallmouth for 18-10 and jumped up the leaderboard for an outstanding third-place finish.

The Bearcats are back in action at the ACA/Bass Pro Shops 2025 Collegiate Championship on May 22-23 on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina.

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Players Mentioned

Liam Bonnett: 5' 9"; Freshman

Ethan Fields: 5' 10"; Junior

Ryan Foster: Sophomore

Jaxson Freeman: 5' 9"; Senior

Chase Logue: 6' 0"; Freshman

Angelo Malek: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Harmon Marien: 5' 11"; Graduate Student

Zach Pocos: 5' 10"; Junior

Tucker Siminak: Junior

Jack Stephens: 6' 1"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Liam Bonnett
: 5' 9"; Freshman

Ethan Fields
: 5' 10"; Junior

Ryan Foster
: Sophomore

Jaxson Freeman
: 5' 9"; Senior

Chase Logue
: 6' 0"; Freshman

Angelo Malek
: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Harmon Marien
: 5' 11"; Graduate Student

Zach Pocos
: 5' 10"; Junior

Tucker Siminak
: Junior

Jack Stephens
: 6' 1"; Senior