Photo by Ronnie Moore/Bassmaster
Jacob Louis and JT Russell of McKendree University jumped from third place on the final day today to take the championship title of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Midwest Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake of the Ozarks with a three-day total of 61 pounds of bass.
After holding the lead on Wednesday’s opening round of competition and losing it on Thursday, the Bearcat duo produced a 22-11 limit to regain the top spot. Louis and Russell stuck to their game plan, even with the declining weather and temperatures, and they were able to boat four fish in the first few hours of fishing today.
They had found a promising area loaded with baitfish as their practice session ended earlier in the week and decided to start the tournament there Wednesday. It paid big dividends as they caught 22-10 on Wednesday to take an early lead. They did most of their damage with jerkbaits and swimbaits in the shad-filled pocket. Fish were schooling at the surface, making it possible to follow the pods of bait as they roamed around the pocket.
That night a massive rain and hailstorm cooled off the water temperatures and stained parts of the lake. Their Thursday weight suffered as a result and they dropped to third after catching 15-11, but were in striking range of the lead. They made the trip to their magic area on the final day, but they knew right away that it would be tougher to stay all day.
“We didn’t see much shad activity, and with the temperatures in the low 40s they just weren’t grouped up like early in the week,” Louis said.
After landing four bass, which included a 4- and a 5-pounder, their spot dried up and they had to scramble. The pair made their way back toward Osage Beach and finished their limit with a 5 pounder and, later, a 6 that enabled them to cull a smaller fish.
They won by 4 pounds, 10 ounces over the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Louie Dazzo and Collin Cropp who stayed in second place from start to finish this week at Lake of the Ozarks. After having weights of 19-12 and 21-3, the duo only managed 15-7 and stayed put on the standings in the runner-up position with a total weight of 56-6.
Dazzo and Cropp also found success with a jerkbait this week as well as a crankbait. It showed as they boated plenty of keepers on the final day, but they lacked the size they had caught on Wednesday and Thursday.
“We definitely had a slower morning than prior days, but we kept adjusting spots, and we started catching them,” Dazzo and Cropp said. “We saw some other teams catch some big ones in our same areas, but they seemed to be positioned deeper than we were so I’d have to believe the quality bass just moved slightly deeper.”
Jacob Harris and Tyler Smith of Southeast Missouri State University jumped from 12th place on Thursday into third after the final weigh-in because of their huge final day. Harris and Smith notched 23-9 on Friday, which claimed the Nitro Big Bag of the tournament and it was anchored by a 7-13 Big Bass. They finished with a three-day total of 55-3.
McKendree’s Brock Wilke and Brady Faust caught 22-2 on Friday to move into fourth, and Hunter Mills and Hunter McKinley of Murray State University rounded out the Top 5 after catching 17-14.
The Day 2 leaders, Nic Rand and Keegan Russell of Lake Superior State University only managed one fish on the final day, but it weighed 7-1 and kept them in the Top 10 as they finished ninth. For leading after Day 2, Rand and Russell won the Livingston Lures Leader award.
Hunter Scharphorn and Jake Dorony of Lake Superior State took the final qualifying spot with a three-day total of 41-11. The Top 19 teams will now move on to the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship, which will be held later this summer.
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Huk, Skeeter Boats, Humminbird, Mercury, Shell Rotella, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: Phoenix Boats, Livingston Lures, Advance Auto Parts, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Lowrance, Costa, Shimano, St. Croix Rods, ABU Garcia
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Lake of the Ozarks – Public Boat Ramp #2 – Osage Beach, MO
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 3
Name # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz
1 Jacob Louis – JT Russell McKendree University 5 5 22-11 15 15 61-0
2 Louie Dazzo – Collin Cropp U. of Wisconsin Whitewater 5 5 15- 7 15 15 56-6
3 Jacob Harris – Tyler Smith Southeast Missouri State University 5 5 23- 9 15 15 55-3
4 Brock Wilke – Brady Faust McKendree University 5 5 22- 2 15 15 54-4
5 Hunter Mills – Hunter McKinley Murray State University 5 5 17-14 15 15 51-5
6 Justin Carr – Austin Carr Heartland Community College 5 5 17- 7 15 15 50-13
7 Luke Parlow – Brad Burton Missouri State University 5 5 17- 1 15 15 50-4
8 Chandler Robertson – Austin Culbertson University of Missouri 5 5 14- 9 15 15 50-1
9 Nic Rand – Keegan Russell Lake Superior State University 1 1 7- 1 11 11 48-7
10 Tanner Ward – Kent State 5 5 16- 8 15 15 47-13
11 Paul Davis – Shane Parker Missouri State University 5 5 17- 0 15 15 47-12
12 Sean Solomon – Nicholas Moore Southeast Missouri State University 5 5 14-11 15 15 46-12
13 Thor Swanson – Mitch Swanson Bemidji State University 4 4 13- 5 14 14 45-11
14 Lance Freeman – Cameron Brooks Murray State University 5 5 14-14 15 15 44-12
15 Sheldon Rogge – Travis Blenn Kansas State University 5 5 12- 3 14 14 43-5
16 Austin Butler – Will Gentry Murray State University 4 4 9-12 14 14 42-13
17 Crosley Welch – Matt Fielder Missouri State University 3 3 11- 8 12 12 42-3
18 Justin Guarnaccio – Michael Tesch University of Wisconsin Stout 5 5 11-13 15 15 42-3
19 Hunter Scharphorn – Jake Dorony Lake Superior State University 4 4 12- 0 14 14 41-11
20 Austin Mau – Isaac Johnson Bemidji State University 5 5 10-14 15 15 41-5
21 Jake Hoselton – Kyle Schingoethe Southern Illinois University 9 9 29-8
22 Chase Serafin – Conner Gough Adrian College 9 9 28-10
23 Zach Hartley – Zac Beek Iowa State 10 10 28-3
24 Colton Mellinger – Hunter Litchfield Western Illinois University 10 10 28-0
25 Mitchell Armstrong – Mathew Siebert U. of Central Missouri 10 10 27-11
26 Seth Becker – Nicholas Kirkton Illinois State University 7 7 27-10
27 Jordan Hartman – Mason Grabowski Murray State University 10 10 26-12
28 Levi Umland – Carlos Thomas Illinois State University 10 10 26-10
29 Ben McCord – Matt Blair Iowa State 10 10 26-7
30 Nick Marsh – Blake Johnson Adrian College 10 10 26-6
31 Mike Anderson – Johnny Moua U. of Wisconsin Oshkosh 10 10 26-6
32 Chance Scott – Jacob Begley Greenville College 7 7 26-3
33 Benjamin Fouts – Jeffrey Demacabalin Greenville College 8 8 26-0
34 Jackson Ebbers – Derek Kane University of Nebraska 7 7 25-15
35 Joseph Faulconer – Curtis Applebaum University of Louisville 8 8 25-4
36 Hunter Reifschneider – Jonathan Klaes University of Dubuque 7 7 25-0
37 Mitch VanErt – Steven Sellnow U. of Wisconsin Whitewater 10 10 24-15
38 Sam Haines – Graham Howard Kansas State University 9 9 24-10
39 Cole Atkinson – Tanner Atkinson St Ambrose University 10 10 24-9
40 Matt Wolz – Wes Lashmett Western Illinois University 8 8 24-1
41 Jared Mataczynski – Steve Nebel U. of Wisconsin Whitewater 9 9 23-13
42 Hayden Lee – Nick King Missouri State University 9 9 23-11
43 Andrew Cannon – Joe Nakai U. of North Alabama 6 6 22-10
44 Cody Batterson – Jason Richardson Adrian College 9 9 22-8
45 Hunter Whiteley – Tyler Nekolny Kansas State University 7 7 22-6
46 Justin Schick – Tyler Rocke Illinois State University 9 9 22-4
47 Phillip Germagliotti – Braden Watt McKendree University 8 8 21-7
48 Trevor McKinney – Curtis Lilly McKendree University 7 7 20-14
49 John Whalen – Ian Snowden Eastern Illinois University 7 7 20-9
50 Andrew Thomas – Denver Todd U. of Central Missouri 9 9 20-8
51 Colton Gillund – Blake Lawston U. of Wisconsin Platteville 7 7 19-5
52 Cody Will – Will Beck Indiana State University 8 8 19-2
53 Brendan Madden – Brock Meigs McKendree University 8 8 19- 1
54 Adam Neu – Zach Clisch U. of Wisconsin Platteville 6 6 18-15
55 John Neubauer – Andrew Jensen Moraine Valley Community College 7 7 18-12
56 Aaron Wojtowicz – Zachary Hansen University of Wisconsin Stout 7 7 18-7
57 Corey Skaggs – Zach Lewis University of Louisville 8 8 18-4
58 Taylor Schmitt – Brad Wyss McKendree University 7 7 17-14
59 Colby Brauer – Matt Kudrna University of Missouri 8 8 17-13
60 Anthony Gilmore – CJ Hatton Schoolcraft College 7 7 17-10
61 Brandon Durr – Riley Rathbun Drury 6 6 17-8
62 Quinton Booth – Clay Cooper Missouri State University 7 7 17-8
63 Brandon Heizer – Gabe Dubois University of Missouri 6 6 17-8
64 Grant Ehlenfeldt – Brett Stanek U. of Wisconsin Platteville 7 7 17-5
65 Trent Brown – Elijah Peters University of Louisville 5 5 17-3
66 Grant Stittleburg – Remington Stittleburg University of Wisconsin-Platteville 5 5 16-11
67 Michael Dircz – Andrew Wolfe University of Wisconsin 6 6 16-11
68 Logan Moore – Adam Santee University of Nebraska 6 6 16-7
69 Coleton Caldwell – Grant Oserowsky UMKC School of Dentistry 6 6 16-5
70 Dylan McMains – Austin Bartholomew University of Iowa 6 6 15-15
71 Connor Graham – Sam Sobieck University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point 6 6 15-14
72 Shane Campbell – Trent Robinson McKendree University 6 6 14-14
73 Jacob Gieske – Grant Chapa St Cloud State University 8 8 14-11
74 Jordan Wolf – Nicholas Schneider University of Illinois 5 5 14-9
75 Aron Pontillo – Alec Garrison U. of Wisconsin Platteville 5 5 14-8
76 Thomas Robbins – Riley Welch Michigan State University 4 4 14-7
77 Nestor Gutierrez – John Moran Western Illinois University 8 8 14-5
78 Justin Bruno – Brody Anderson Grand Valley State University 6 6 14-3
79 Jordan Nauert – Logan Meadows Indiana State University 6 6 13-15
80 Joachim Speldrich – Spencer Host St Cloud State University 3 3 13-8
81 Ben Kroeger – Nathan Scalise University of Nebraska 5 5 13-7
82 Brian Bueker – Kale Kirby Missouri State University 5 5 12-12
83 Max Hellmann – Steve Niemi Jr University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 4 4 12-4
84 Jacob Anderson – Bryce Smith University of Wisconsin 6 6 12-4
85 Chris Burwell – Miles Kopplin University of Ilinois 5 5 12-2
86 Nicholas Hanisch – Daniel Hanson University of Ilinois 6 6 12-1
87 Grant Pavelka – Kylan Rhodes MPCC 5 5 11-14
88 Cody Hallanger – Dan Scott University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 5 5 11-14
89 Brandon Falwell – Nathan Adams Murray State University 3 3 11-3
90 Brandon Brant – Jordan Saladis U. of Wisconsin Platteville 4 4 11-3
91 Reece Crabtree – Travis Kem Missouri State University 4 4 10-13
92 Patrick Morrison – Dylan Rague Iowa State 4 4 10-12
93 Reed Fredrick – Nash Henrichs University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 3 3 9-15
94 Cody Salzmann – Kenneth Prince University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff 2 2 9-11
95 Kolton Kitterman – University of Ilinois 4 4 9-11
96 Silas Grote – Jaret Baker St Cloud State University 2 2 9-10
97 Quinn Fowler – Joshua Schraad Kansas State University 4 4 9-10
98 Spencer Oemig – Christopher Lewis University of Wisconsin 2 2 9-5
99 Neal Wisinski – Sawyer Schmidt University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 4 4 9-2
100 Austin Settles – Lucas Walz Western Kentucky University 4 4 8-15
101 Austin Chapman – Jake Freeman McKendree University 4 4 8-14
102 Daniel Bochucinski – Andrew Begley Western Illinois University 3 3 8-13
103 Nick Montilino – Brock Spencer Murray State University 3 3 8-8
104 Garrett Crabtree – Ryan Tune U. of Central Missouri 3 3 8-7
105 Conner Hinckle – Jack Mauer University of Northern Iowa 4 4 8-5
106 Tyler Andrews – Danny Sprague Michigan State University 4 4 8-5
107 Peyton Porter – Jacob Fleming Murray State University 3 3 8-5
108 Mike Wolthusen – John Baumunk St Ambose University 3 3 8-2
109 Kameron Cantley – Andrew Alvey Western Kentucky University 2 2 7-11
110 Ben Wanke – Spencer Hahn University of Wisconsin 3 3 7-4
111 Zach Hingson – Ethan Fitzwilliam University of Illinois 1 1 7-0
112 Christian Ponzetti – Brock Gordley University of Missouri 2 2 6-0
113 Tyler Rush – Tommy Torkelson U. of Wisconsin Stevens Point 2 2 5-15
114 Luke Gillund – Robby Troje Bemidji State University 2 2 5-11
115 Wade Brown – Luke Miller University of Louisville 2 2 5-4
116 Payton Miller – Adam Fuchs Kansas State 2 2 5-3
117 Nick Dagel – Scott Humphreys University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 2 2 5-0
118 Chris Brooks – Quinten Brown Greenville College 1 1 4-12
119 Cody Hamacher – Remington Koch Missouri State University 2 2 4-7
120 Ethan Wallace – Blaine Dennis University of Missouri 1 1 3-7
121 Tanner Smith – Brian Badock University of Missouri 2 2 3-1
122 Jarrett Martin – Jake Bayer Adrian College 1 1 3-1
123 Jordan Mullis – Joe Long Indiana University 1 1 3-0
124 Joe Bardill – Ryan Lancaster Murray State University 1 1 2-14
125 Alex Allen – Brandon Bayer Western Kentucky University 1 1 2-11
126 Mason Bishop – Levi Rogers Southern Illinois University Carbondale 1 1 2-6
126 Micah Thornton – Stetson Pendergrass Western Kentucky University 1 1 2-6
128 Ashley Ruggles – Devin Hendrix Drury University 1 1 1-13
129 Josef Rogers – Connor Engelkes Iowa State 1 1 1-12
130 Blake Vincent – Austin Herrera St Ambrose University 1 1 1-11
131 Jacob Carlson – Kai Guthrie University of Wisconsin Stout 0 0 0-0
131 Matt Garfield – Erik Gaffron University of Minnesota-Duluth 0 0 0-0
131 Alec Meunier – Caleb Mulzer Western Kentucky University 0 0 0-0
131 Bradley Miller – Connor Maloney Western Kentucky University 0 0 0-0
131 Austin Niggli – Andrew Althoff McKendree University 0 0 0-0
131 Bryce Popa – Drew Baehl Indiana University 0 0 0-0
131 Cody Roy – Kyle Hayes Michigan State University 0 0 0-0
131 Justin Sande – Dylan Sande University of Minnesota-Duluth 0 0 0-0
BIG BASS
Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz
1 Cody Salzmann – Kenneth Prince University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff White Hall, AR 7-5
2 Zach Hingson – Ethan Fitzwilliam University of Illinois Atwood, IL 7-0
3 Jacob Harris – Tyler Smith Southeast Missouri State University Bonne Terre, MO 7-13
TOTALS
Day # Fish # Live Lbs-Oz # Limits
1 388 388 1124-12 38
2 400 400 1163-14 55
3 91 91 302-5 15