Arkansas Tech University students Mat Higby of Lamar and John Foster Case of Clarksville are the 2022 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open champions.
Higby and Case reeled in 27.09 pounds of bass Oct. 8-9 to emerge victorious among a field of 218 teams who fished the waters of Lake Dardanelle in Russellville.
“I think the most satisfying part of this win was finally being able to win a big tournament on our home lake,” said Case. “We have lived and fished on Lake Dardanelle our whole lives. To be able to win a major tournament on your home lake is a great feeling.”
The ATU duo collected a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card, a $200 AFTCO gift card, a Bob’s Machine Shop 10-inch jack plate and a Rapala tackle package in honor of their victory.
In addition, the ATU Fishing Club earned 1,750 points in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year competition presented by Abu Garcia as a result of Higby’s and Case’s win.
Additional ATU Fishing Club members who brought fish to the scales during the 2022 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open were Remington Lawrence of Russellville and Jade Craft of Paragould (18th, 15.2 pounds), Weston Villines of Bethel Heights and Kade Weaver of Warren (34th, 11.97 pounds) and Kanon Harmon of Haskell and Cody McEntire of Walnut Ridge (57th, 9.08 pounds).
“Being a part of ATU fishing means a lot to us,” said Case. “Being able to travel all over the country chasing our dream at the collegiate level is a blessing. We couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunities this program provides to us. The fishing team has also brought us lifelong friendships that we are thankful for.”
Learn more about the ATU Fishing Club at www.facebook.com/atufishing.
