Montevallo Maintains Top Ranking in Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia

McKendree University remains in 2nd, and Tarleton State slides up to 3rd 

SAN ANTONIO, TX (April 14, 2025) – The Association of Collegiate Anglers announces the latest points update to the 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.

The University of Montevallo remains in 1st place with a season total of 26,800 points.  McKendree University holds onto 2nd, and Tarleton State University moves up three places to be ranked 3rd.

The end of March through the middle of April is a key stretch in defining who the contenders will be for this season’s chase in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.The ACA contested its final major double points event to count in this cycle, BASS and MLF each hosted a major tournament, and MLF contested a National Championship that will be included in the next points update.

With just over one month remaining until the standings are finalized towards college fishing’s only all-encompassing National Rankings system, the University of Montevallo finds itself in a familiar position.  The four-time defending School of the Year title winner is in 1st place, with a lead of 1,055 points over 2nd place.  At the ACA double points Pickwick Slam, Montevallo earned 3,310 points.  Team members Miller Dowling & Mason Kornegay finished in 8th, and Briggs Alavezos & Brooks Parker to 13th. 

Montevallo is seeking to win its fifth straight title this season.  One event remains this season for the ACA, the triple points Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops to be contested at Lake Hartwell.  Montevallo currently qualifies to send 11 boats.  The more boats a team has competing at the historic 20th ACA National Championship, the better chance they have at making the most of the triple points opportunity.

McKendree University maintained its 2nd place ranking in this points update.  McKendree anglers earned 2,350 points at the Pickwick Slam, with their top two highest-placing teams in 28th & 89th. Team members also competed at Lake Eufaula, earning points in McKendree’s third and final points eligible BASS event for this season.  Two top finishes of 6th & 23rd earned the two-time title winner 2,230 points.  From the previous update to now, McKendree was able to close the gap between themselves and 1st place by just over 1,000 points.

Moving up into 3rd place for this points update is Tarleton State University.  The Texas based team bumped up three places since the prior update.  Team members Tyler Chmelar & Kate Kramer won the Bassmaster College Series event at Lake Eufaula.  With the next highest-placing team in 18th, Tarleton State earned 2,330 points at that particular event.  At the double points ACA Pickwick Slam, Tarleton State’s two top teams place 9th and 71st.  That moved their season points total to 23,505 points.

Here is a look at teams that made significant moves inside of the Top 25 for this points update to the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia:

6) Wabash Valley College – Previously 8th

8) Campbellsville University – Previously 10th 

10) Auburn University – Previously 13th

12) Murray State University – Previously 16th 

View the complete updated rankings.

Two teams moved up into the Top 25 after previously not being ranked in that position.  Murray State College moved from 27 to 23rd, and Stephen F. Austin climbed one place from 26th to 25th.