Montevallo Takes Over the Top Spot in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia
Carson-Newman University is ranked 2nd, and the University of North Alabama moves up to 3rd
SAN ANTONIO, TX (November 2, 2023) – With the calendar flipping over to November, that means there are only a few more weeks in the fall semester and the first half of the season for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. The current standings for college fishing’s only all-encompassing National Rankings system are extremely close as school teams have earned valuable points at local, regional, and major tournaments all across the country as they look forward to the springtime events.
Perennial powerhouse the University of Montevallo has moved up from second place to claim the number one spot for the first time this season with a total of 13,270 points. A fourth straight title is certainly attainable for this talented team.
Carson-Newman University climbs two spots to be ranked second, the school’s highest ranking in program history. They are looking to position themselves for their first ever School of the Year title after finishing 3rd last season.
The University of North Alabama rounds out the Top 3, moving up two spots since the previous rankings. The team from North Alabama has a favorable schedule for the spring push and is looking to make a surge at the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops this season on their home waters of Pickwick Lake.
The latest points update to the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia features tournament results from a MLF tournament, and several School-Run events. With the completion of two recent Association of Collegiate Anglers events on the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, and a MLF college tournament at Lake Hartwell, there are no more major double points events on the calendar until January of 2024.
View the complete list of points eligible events.
The University of Montevallo entered the 2023-24 season as the only program ever to win the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia three times. They achieved collegiate bass fishing history by accomplishing this feat in three-straight seasons (2021, 2022, 2023). For the first time this season, the back-to back-to back defending title winner is ranked first in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Montevallo has a season total of 13,270 points, just over 500 points ahead of second ranked Carson-Newman.
The University of Montevallo earned 2,070 points at the MLF event on Lake Hartwell. Phillip Herring & James Willoughby finished in 20th, and Briar Dodson & Cole Dodson took 25th. Two Top 25 finishes at this major double points event helped to propel the team into first place.
The latest update to the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia features quite a bit of movement. 13 different teams improved their ranking inside of the Top 25. The Top 5 teams are now separated by less than 2,000 points, and less than 2,000 points split sixth through 14th, which is the closest race in the history of the School of the Year standings.
Here is a look at teams that made significant moves up inside of the Top 25 for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia:
2) Carson-Newman University – Previously Ranked 4th
3) University of North Alabama – Previously Ranked 5th
4) Auburn University – Previously Ranked 7th
7) Lander University – Previously Ranked 11th
10) Emmanuel University – Previously Ranked 16th
Georgia College was the only team to move into the Top 25 after being ranked outside of the coveted mark previously. The team moved up 10 spots to now be ranked 24th.
The race near the top of the leaderboard is very tight as the season nears the halfway mark. Each of the Top 6 teams have fished in the same number of major double points events. As it pertains to this points update, that means, minus each team’s School-Run event tally, they are all on equal footing in regards to maximum potential points that could have been earned. The Top 6 is comprised of three past title winners, and three programs that are looking to claim their first-ever title as Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
