Who is the Number One Ranked Team in the ACA Pre-Season Poll?
Category: article
Jul 24th, 2022 by Keith Worrall
Modified Jul 24th, 2022 at 10:01 AM
2022-23 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia Pre-Season Poll: Rankings 1st – 5th
1. University of Montevallo (1st Place Votes: 18)
Montevallo, AL
2022 Final Ranking: 1st
School of the Year Titles: 2 (2021, 2022)
Coming off of back-to-back titles, the University of Montevallo is once again picked as the number one team entering the upcoming season of the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
Just over one month ago, Montevallo secured its second straight title at McFarland Park on the shores of Pickwick Lake in Florence, AL following the conclusion of the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.
“Really wanted to come back. We won this thing last year, and we knew we had a good chance to do it again this year,” noted Adam Carroll, University of Montevallo angler. “We came up here and did it, and we couldn’t be happier about it.”
2. Auburn University (1st Place Votes: 7)
Auburn, AL
2022 Final Ranking: 2nd
ACA National Championships: 1 (2016)
Auburn enters the 2022-23 season ranked second in the ACA pre-season poll, following a second-place finish in the 2021-22 race for Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Last season’s second place finish marks the best end of season national ranking Auburn has ever achieved.
The team is thrilled to know that their hard work and effort is being recognized by fellow anglers, coaches, media members, and industry representatives alike.
“Being ranked within the Top 5 is not only a great honor for our active members, but a testament to those who have helped build this team from the ground up over the years,” noted Carson Maddux, Auburn University Bass Fishing Team member. “We strive to maintain our status as one of the top collegiate fishing programs in the country. It feels good to know that our hard work has not gone unnoticed.”
3. McKendree University
Lebanon, IL
2022 Final Ranking: 3rd
School of the Year Titles: 2 (2019, 2020)
“We are very honored that our McKendree team has been ranked as one of the top five schools in the country,” said Jon Rinderer, Head Bass Fishing Coach at McKendree University. “It is very rewarding to know that our peers and industry leaders feel like we are doing all the right things to maintain a very solid program.”
Following a third-place finish in the 2021-22 season of the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, McKendree University is ranked third in the ACA pre-season poll.
4. Carson-Newman University (1st Place Votes: 1)
Jefferson City, TN
2022 Final Ranking: 4th
The next team to check in on this rankings reveal is Carson-Newman University. The team from Jefferson City, TN receives a pre-season ranking of fourth, following a fifth-place finish in the 2021-22 race for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
“It means the world to me and my program that we are considered a Top 5 team, especially because of how hard we all work,” said Ben Cully, Carson-Newman angler. “Top 5 sounds really good, however we all know our capabilities and want to continue our goal to win SOY.”
5. Adrian College
Adrian, MI
2022 Final Ranking: 4th
“It means a lot that we are recognized as a Top 5 school in the country, it reflects the hard work and dedication of all of our guys year-in, year out,” said Matthew Davis, Adrian College Bass Fishing Team member.
The final team to be highlighted in this feature is Adrian College. Adrian College has been picked by anglers, coaches, media members, and industry representatives as the fifth best team in the ACA pre-season poll. This marks back-to-back seasons in which Adrian College has made the Top 5 in the pre-season rankings.