Bass Pro Shop School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia Enters Second Half of the Season
Category: article
Jan 4th, 2022 by Keith Worrall
Modified Jan 4th, 2022 at 2:03 PM
Bass Pro Shop School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia Enters Second Half of the Season
ACA staff highlights the Top 25 entering 2022 while comparing school’s current rankings to their initial pre-season ranking
SAN ANTONIO, TX (January 4, 2022) – With the calendar now turning over to 2022, the race for Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia is entering the second half of the 2021-2022 chase to be the number one ranked team in all of collegiate bass fishing. Throughout the course of this week, the Association of Collegiate Anglers is going to reveal the teams currently ranked 1st-25th.
Each day we will highlight five teams, providing a glimpse at their season thus far and comparing each school’s ranking in the ACA Pre-Season Poll to where they stand presently. The reveal will culminate with teams 1st through 5th being announced on Friday, along with a link to view the complete rankings of the top collegiate teams in the nation.
In today’s feature, we will be highlighting teams ranked 21st-25th.
21. Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Total Points: 3,205
Pre-Season Ranking: 30th
Louisiana State University-Shreveport currently checks in at 21st overall in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Located in Shreveport, LA, LSUS has earned a total of 3,205 points this season. The team’s best finish of the year, to this point, came at the MLF Southern Regional on Lake O’ the Pines back in June. Tyler Tamburo and Blakely Young finished in 4th with a five fish limit weighing 24 pounds. That Top 5 finish earned LSUS a total of 970 points.
22. Bethel University
Total Points: 3,180
Pre-Season Ranking: 6th
Bethel University checks in at 22nd currently and is one of the biggest surprises following an initial pre-season ranking of 6th. To this point in the season, Bethel has earned a total of 3,180 points. Team members Tristan McCormick and Stevie Mills registered the school’s highest finish of the season by claiming 2nd place overall at the 2021 Bassmaster College Series National Championship on the St. Lawrence River. That 2nd place finish earned Bethel a total of 1,480 points.
23. Bryan College
Total Points: 3,175
Pre-Season Ranking: 9th
Bryan College makes the second team in this section of the standings that was both ranked in the pre-season Top 10 and has won the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia previously (2017). Having earned a total of 3,175 points thus far, Bryan College checks in at 23rd in the latest standings update.
With the season now at the halfway mark, the jury remains undecided on just how good this Bryan College team can really be, but it does have its work cut out if the team is hoping to live up to its pre-season Top 10 ranking.
24. University of Alabama
Total Points: 3,160
Pre-Season Ranking: 27th
Next on the list, at 24th overall, is the University of Alabama. Hailing from Tuscaloosa, AL, this team of seasoned anglers has earned a total of 3,160 points. A bulk of the team’s points came at two major events this past fall. The school earned 1,140 points at the Bassmaster College Series Championship, and 1,920 points at the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.
The University of Alabama has a deep roster comprised of dozens of capable anglers. Look for the team from Tuscaloosa to try to make a jump into the Top 10 before season’s end, and possibly even into the Top 5.
25. Louisiana State University
Total Points: 3,150
Pre-Season Ranking: 83rd
Rounding out the current Top 25 in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia is Louisiana State University. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, LSU has earned a total of 3,150 points on the season. The team’s season points total is boosted by a victory at the 2021 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open on Lake Dardanelle this past October. Team members Heath Pinell and Taylor Knowles won the first ACA major event of the season with a two-day total of 24.89 pounds. That 1st place victory netted a total of 1,250 points for LSU.