MINNEAPOLIS (June 23, 2011) – FLW Outdoors announced Thursday the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing All-America Team. The team, selected based on an objective point system determined by College Fishing Tournament Director Kevin Hunt, represents the best of the best among the nation’s college anglers. The list includes 30 anglers, headed by the 2010 national champions from the University of Florida, Jake Gipson and Matthew Wercinski. The All-America team is featured in the July issue of FLW Outdoors Magazine, which is available on newsstands June 28.
FLW College Fishing consists of 495 collegiate clubs and more than 3,300 anglers. The All-America teams are selected through a point system that is based on the consistency of team performances in local tournaments and regional qualifiers in 2010 and the 2011 national championship. All-America status is earned by those who stay focused throughout the tournament season and emulate the qualities that the National Guard FLW College Fishing program strives to foster in tomorrow’s pros.
“The 2011 class of National Guard FLW College Fishing All-Americas reflects the best of the best among the participants who compete in the circuit,” said FLW Outdoors Magazine Editor-in-Chief Colin Moore. “These All-Americas, like those who came before them and those who will come after, are the standard bearers of National Guard FLW College Fishing and exemplify the thousands of young men and women involved in the program. No doubt the National Guard is pleased to be associated with this group of anglers, and FLW Outdoors is certainly proud to be able to showcase them.”
The team, listed in alphabetical order, includes:
Name City, Sate School
Jake Akin Powder Springs, Ga. Kennesaw State University
Jeremy Anibas Colfax, Wis. UW-Stout
Shaye Baker* Tallassee, Ala. Auburn University
Damian Bean San Luis Obispo, Calif. California Poly
Kevin Beverley Fuquay Varina, N.C. NC State University
Jeff Bumgarner Wade, N.C. NC State University
Zach Caudle Shreveport, La. LSU Shreveport
Spencer Clark Florissant, Mo. Truman State University
Ben Dziwulski* Woodbine, Md. NC State University
Thomas Frink Woodstock, Ga. Kennesaw State University
Jake Gipson* Niceville, Fla. University of Florida
Ryan Helke Menomonie, Wis. UW-Stout
Scott Hellesen San Luis Obispo, Calif. California Poly
Danny Iles Hemphill, Texas Lamar University
Ryan Ingalls Fairfax, Va. Christopher Newport University
Joe Landry Shreveport, La. LSU Shreveport
Jordan Lee Vinemont, Ala. Auburn University
Peter Lee Elk Grove, Calif. Sacramento State
Paul Manley* College Station, Texas Texas A&M
Robert Matsuura Sacramento, Calif. Sacramento State
Mike McCarthy Jr. Chesterfield, Mo. Truman State University
Parker Moran Chico, Calif. Chico State
Matt Morrison Silsbee, Texas Lamar University
Jesse Schultz* New Albany, Ind. Indiana University
Andrew Shafer* College Station, Texas Texas A&M
Marshal Smith San Jose, Calif. Chico State
Dustin Vaal* Bloomington, Ind. Indiana University
Matthew Wercinski* Niceville, Fla. University of Florida
Will White Marion, N.C. NC State University
Joe Wilkerson Falls Church, Va. Christopher Newport University
* Repeat All-America
The list also can be viewed at FLWOutdoors.com.
College Fishing anglers compete in five divisions — Central, Northern, Southeast, Texas and Western — and fish four regular-season events in each division. The top five teams in each qualifying event advance to one of five three-day National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championships. The top five teams from each of those regional tournaments compete in the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship. The collegiate national champion receives a berth in the Forrest Wood Cup presented by Walmart, the world championship of bass fishing, and the use of a wrapped Ranger boat and Chevy truck for the competition.
FLW College Fishing events are free to enter, boats and drivers are provided by FLW Outdoors and all collegiate teams receive a travel allowance. Each team that competed in the national championship sported jerseys and fished out of wrapped Ranger boats towed by Chevy trucks for the competition.
Each regular-season FLW College Fishing event boasts a top cash award of $10,000 to be split evenly between the university and the university’s bass-fishing club. Regional events tout a top award of a Ranger 177TR with a 90-horsepower engine wrapped in school colors for their school’s bass club and $25,000 for the school they represent. The national championship awards the top team with $25,000 cash, a Ranger 177TR with a 90-horsepower engine wrapped in school colors for their school’s bass club and $50,000 for the school they represent.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow FLW Outdoors on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWOutdoors.
ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS
FLW Outdoors is the best in fishing, on and off the water. Anglers worldwide can compete for millions over the course of 191 tournaments in 2011. FLW Outdoors has taken fishing mainstream with the world’s richest fantasy sports game, FLW Fantasy Fishing presented by Straight Talk, where competitors can play for free as well as sign up for Player’s Advantage to gain an edge. For more information about FLW Outdoors and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com.
