Pierce, Tucker to Represent ATU at Nationals

Arkansas Tech University students Bennett Pierce and T.J. Tucker will be among a field of 180 collegiate anglers competing in the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops Aug. 10-12 in Bemidji, Minn.

Pierce, a sophomore from Fort Smith, and Tucker, a senior from Ratcliff, qualified for the national finals by finishing tied for fifth in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Regional Jan. 26-28 in Lufkin, Texas. The two-man team reeled in 51.2 pounds of fish while catching the limit of five fish per day.

A total of 59 universities will be represented in the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship. Activities will begin with the first day of practice on Lake Bemidji and a welcome reception at the Bemidji State University baseball field on Monday, Aug. 7.

After three days of practice, the three-day competition will commence with boats launching at 6 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10. The national champions will be announced following a 2:30 p.m. weigh-in on Saturday, Aug. 12.

Daily updates from the event will be posted at www.bassmaster.com/tournaments/2017-carhartt-bassmaster-college-national-championship-presented-bass-pro-shops.