College: Final Weigh-in

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Pictured fourth from left is Hank Weldon, tournament director of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops. Weldon took a moment to pose for a picture with Jefferson City, Tenn. officials prior to Saturday’s weigh-in. Besides celebrating the final day of the tournament, Jefferson City was honoring Sgt. Scotty Winstead, third from left, who was severely injured in car wreck in the line of duty last year. Winstead has recovered nicely from his injuries.
Pictured fourth from left is Hank Weldon, tournament director of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops. Weldon took a moment to pose for a picture with Jefferson City, Tenn. officials prior to Saturday’s weigh-in. Besides celebrating the final day of the tournament, Jefferson City was honoring Sgt. Scotty Winstead, third from left, who was severely injured in car wreck in the line of duty last year. Winstead has recovered nicely from his injuries.
Fans seek shade on an elevated walkway at Carson-Newman University, site of Saturday’s weigh-in. Temperatures climbed to 90 degrees on Saturday and there was very little cloud cover, which made for a warm day in northeastern Tennessee.
Fans seek shade on an elevated walkway at Carson-Newman University, site of Saturday’s weigh-in. Temperatures climbed to 90 degrees on Saturday and there was very little cloud cover, which made for a warm day in northeastern Tennessee.
There’s the hardware that the winning team will bring home after Saturday’s weigh-in.
There’s the hardware that the winning team will bring home after Saturday’s weigh-in.
The fans were out in good numbers to watch the action.
The fans were out in good numbers to watch the action.
There were a couple canine fans on hand, as well.
There were a couple canine fans on hand, as well.
The anglers begin to line up in a parking lot near the weigh-in stage.
The anglers begin to line up in a parking lot near the weigh-in stage.
A quintet of Bethel University anglers pose for a photo before weigh-in. Six tandems from Bethel made the cut to 32 teams.
A quintet of Bethel University anglers pose for a photo before weigh-in. Six tandems from Bethel made the cut to 32 teams.
There’s Stephen Jesso and Ryan Fox of Penn State taking a breather after a long, hot day on Cherokee Lake.
There’s Stephen Jesso and Ryan Fox of Penn State taking a breather after a long, hot day on Cherokee Lake.
But first, we pause for the Star Spangled Banner.
But first, we pause for the Star Spangled Banner.
Weldon turns toward the flag during the playing of the National Anthem.
Weldon turns toward the flag during the playing of the National Anthem.
Now it’s time to weigh some bass. There’s Jonathan Kelley and Rickey Wood Jr. of Coastal Carolina University. They finished 23rd with a three-day total of 33 pounds, 13 ounces.
Now it’s time to weigh some bass. There’s Jonathan Kelley and Rickey Wood Jr. of Coastal Carolina University. They finished 23rd with a three-day total of 33 pounds, 13 ounces.
Jack Hipped and Nick Czajka of Adrian College finished 25th with 33-0.
Jack Hipped and Nick Czajka of Adrian College finished 25th with 33-0.
Dillon Bryant and Dustin Wagner of Patrick Henry Community College placed 30th with 30-3.
Dillon Bryant and Dustin Wagner of Patrick Henry Community College placed 30th with 30-3.
Thor and Mitch Swanson of Bemidji State University placed 24th with 33-10.
Thor and Mitch Swanson of Bemidji State University placed 24th with 33-10.
Tyler Andrews and McLane May of Michigan State University finished 17th with 35-13.
Tyler Andrews and McLane May of Michigan State University finished 17th with 35-13.
Bradley Dunagan and Nick Ratliff of Campbellsville University finished 29th with 30-15.
Bradley Dunagan and Nick Ratliff of Campbellsville University finished 29th with 30-15.
Mike Anderson and Zachary Schnepf of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh placed 32nd with 27-15 overall.
Mike Anderson and Zachary Schnepf of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh placed 32nd with 27-15 overall.
Zeke Gossett and Hayden Bartee of Jefferson State University placed 22nd with 34-6.
Zeke Gossett and Hayden Bartee of Jefferson State University placed 22nd with 34-6.
Travis Howard and Sam Carris of Tennessee Tech finished 20th with 35-5.
Travis Howard and Sam Carris of Tennessee Tech finished 20th with 35-5.
Sloan Pennington and Hunter McCarty of the University of North Alabama placed 13th with a three-day total of 37-4.
Sloan Pennington and Hunter McCarty of the University of North Alabama placed 13th with a three-day total of 37-4.
There’s Jesso and Fox from Penn State again. They finished 14th with 36-10.
There’s Jesso and Fox from Penn State again. They finished 14th with 36-10.
Dakota Cantrell and Austin Moore of Campbellsville University placed eighth with 39-2.
Dakota Cantrell and Austin Moore of Campbellsville University placed eighth with 39-2.
Hunter Louden and Seth Roberts of Bethel University finished 10th with 38-7 total.
Hunter Louden and Seth Roberts of Bethel University finished 10th with 38-7 total.
Logan Brewster and Chase Dawson of the University of Tennessee placed 28th overall in the tournament with 31-6.
Logan Brewster and Chase Dawson of the University of Tennessee placed 28th overall in the tournament with 31-6.
Ben Barrus and Tyler VanBrandt of Adrian College finished 27th with 31-8.
Ben Barrus and Tyler VanBrandt of Adrian College finished 27th with 31-8.
Hunter Stewart and Luke Slaton of the University of North Georgia placed 18th with 35-11.
Hunter Stewart and Luke Slaton of the University of North Georgia placed 18th with 35-11.
Garrett Enders and Cody Huff of Bethel University placed 16th with 35-13.
Garrett Enders and Cody Huff of Bethel University placed 16th with 35-13.
Thad Simerly and Ethan Shaw of Bryan College placed 19th with 35-11.
Thad Simerly and Ethan Shaw of Bryan College placed 19th with 35-11.
Nathan Ragsdale and Jerimiah Freelund of the University of Georgia placed 21st with 34-10.
Nathan Ragsdale and Jerimiah Freelund of the University of Georgia placed 21st with 34-10.
Cantley Krafft and Ethan Morrison of Virginia Tech placed 12th with 37-5.
Cantley Krafft and Ethan Morrison of Virginia Tech placed 12th with 37-5.
Hometown anglers Hunter Sales and Tristan Stalsworth of Carson-Newman University placed 15th with 36-4.
Hometown anglers Hunter Sales and Tristan Stalsworth of Carson-Newman University placed 15th with 36-4.
Johnathan Peck and Griffin Heffington of Bryan College finished seventh with 39-2.
Johnathan Peck and Griffin Heffington of Bryan College finished seventh with 39-2.
Carter McNeil and Cole Floyd of Bethel University placed 11th with 38-6.
Carter McNeil and Cole Floyd of Bethel University placed 11th with 38-6.
Brian Pahl and John Garrett, also of Bethel, placed ninth with 39-2.
Brian Pahl and John Garrett, also of Bethel, placed ninth with 39-2.
David Brashear and Ryan Kent of Georgia Southern University placed 26th with 31-12.
David Brashear and Ryan Kent of Georgia Southern University placed 26th with 31-12.
Cullen Lamm-Hoover and Jules Williams of Hampden-Sydney College placed 31st with 29-13.
Cullen Lamm-Hoover and Jules Williams of Hampden-Sydney College placed 31st with 29-13.
Logan Parks and Lucas Lindsay of Auburn University placed sixth with 39-15.
Logan Parks and Lucas Lindsay of Auburn University placed sixth with 39-15.
Nathan Bell and Cole Sands won the college event on Cherokee Lake last year. This year, the Bryan College duo finished fourth with a three-day total of 40-14.
Nathan Bell and Cole Sands won the college event on Cherokee Lake last year. This year, the Bryan College duo finished fourth with a three-day total of 40-14.
KJ Queen and Brad Ableman of Bethel University placed fifth with 39-15.
KJ Queen and Brad Ableman of Bethel University placed fifth with 39-15.
With only three teams remaining to weigh-in, Lucas Murphy and Nolan Hitt of Grand Valley State University came to the stage. They knew they had a good bag, but weren’t sure it would be enough to climb into the hot seat.
With only three teams remaining to weigh-in, Lucas Murphy and Nolan Hitt of Grand Valley State University came to the stage. They knew they had a good bag, but weren’t sure it would be enough to climb into the hot seat.
But they did. Murphy and Hitt caught a five-bass limit that weighed 13-9 on Saturday, which gave them a three-day total of 42-10.
But they did. Murphy and Hitt caught a five-bass limit that weighed 13-9 on Saturday, which gave them a three-day total of 42-10.
Then they told Hank Weldon all about their day on Cherokee Lake.
Then they told Hank Weldon all about their day on Cherokee Lake.
Then they head to the hot seat. Two teams to go and the pressure is on, fellas’!
Then they head to the hot seat. Two teams to go and the pressure is on, fellas’!
Lee Mattox and Anderson Aldag of the University of Alabama entered Day 3 in second place and they ended the day there too. Here they are showing some of their 12-5 limit that gave them a three-day total of 41-6.
Lee Mattox and Anderson Aldag of the University of Alabama entered Day 3 in second place and they ended the day there too. Here they are showing some of their 12-5 limit that gave them a three-day total of 41-6.
Funny how the hot seat gets no easier when you’re down to only one team that can beat you.
Funny how the hot seat gets no easier when you’re down to only one team that can beat you.
And that’s the tandem of Cully Scroggins and Nathon Portch. The Bethel University anglers led after Day 1 and Day 2 and were confident they could land another quality bag on Saturday.
And that’s the tandem of Cully Scroggins and Nathon Portch. The Bethel University anglers led after Day 1 and Day 2 and were confident they could land another quality bag on Saturday.
But did they have enough? The final four anglers crowd around the scales for a better look.
But did they have enough? The final four anglers crowd around the scales for a better look.
Murphy whispers something to Hitt, likely along the lines of “I don’t think they have enough!”
Murphy whispers something to Hitt, likely along the lines of “I don’t think they have enough!”
And indeed Scroggins and Portch don’t have the weight they need to catch Murphy and Hitt. That’s when Murphy flashes a broad smile knowing he and his partner have won.
And indeed Scroggins and Portch don’t have the weight they need to catch Murphy and Hitt. That’s when Murphy flashes a broad smile knowing he and his partner have won.
Scroggins and Portch were disappointed they didn’t win, but showed class the entire time. They congratulated Murphy and Hitt on the win and said they felt blessed just to be competing.
Scroggins and Portch were disappointed they didn’t win, but showed class the entire time. They congratulated Murphy and Hitt on the win and said they felt blessed just to be competing.
Hitt still can’t believe he and Murphy have won.
Hitt still can’t believe he and Murphy have won.
Scroggins and Portch display their Day 3 catch. They wound up in third place overall with a three-day total of 41-2.
Scroggins and Portch display their Day 3 catch. They wound up in third place overall with a three-day total of 41-2.
Then they shared the events of their day with Weldon.
Then they shared the events of their day with Weldon.
But in the end, it’s Murphy and Hitt’s day to celebrate.
But in the end, it’s Murphy and Hitt’s day to celebrate.
Murphy and Hitt picked up some swag with the victory, as well. They earned entry to the national championship tournament scheduled for July on Oklahoma’s Tenkiller Lake, as well as $2,000 for the Grand Valley State bass fishing team.
Murphy and Hitt picked up some swag with the victory, as well. They earned entry to the national championship tournament scheduled for July on Oklahoma’s Tenkiller Lake, as well as $2,000 for the Grand Valley State bass fishing team.
There’s Mattox and Aldag with their second-place trophies.
There’s Mattox and Aldag with their second-place trophies.
And the Alabama team shared their day with Weldon, too.
And the Alabama team shared their day with Weldon, too.
And finally, Scroggins and Portch show off their third place hardware.
And finally, Scroggins and Portch show off their third place hardware.