Bethel University Pair Takes Lead At Bassmaster College Series Event On Lake Hartwell

ANDERSON, S.C. — For the first time this season on the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, there will not be a wire-to-wire winner.

Wilson Smith (pictured) and Brad Ableman, from Bethel University, are leading after Day 2 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Lake Hartwell presented by Bass Pro Shops with 19 pounds. Photo by Chris Brown/B.A.S.S.

After weighing in 9 pounds, 11 ounces on Day 1 of the third tour stop at Lake Hartwell, Bethel University’s Brad Ableman and Wilson Smith jumped from sixth to first on Day 2 with a 9-5 three-fish limit for a two-day total of 19-0.

Meanwhile, Day 1 leaders Jeremy Dellinger and Nathan Smith from Catawba Valley Community College in North Carolina dropped to second with a limit of 6-14 and a two-day total of 18-7.

“It feels pretty good. I didn’t expect it,” Ableman said. “We caught what we caught and we thought it would get us into the final day and qualify us for the National Championship. We are probably going to have to catch the same (weight) if not more tomorrow.

“We are excited to just get back out there and see what we can end up with.”

It is the first time Ableman and Wilson Smith have secured a Top 12 finish as a team. Ableman said they went into this tournament searching for largemouth and have been able to capitalize on that bite for two days, specifically in one area where they have spent the majority of their time.

“We have stayed in our main area until about noon and then went and fished some new stuff,” he said. “We haven’t really found anything new. We have one area that we have been catching some fish in and we are hoping it can hold up.”

The Bethel duo has stayed in shallow water most of the tournament, using a Strike King Rage Bug and a Strike King KVD Sexy Frog to generate a few quality bites.

According to Ableman, the fish they have caught have been on a few key spots, and he believes if the water levels continue to slowly drop, more fish will funnel out of the backwaters close by and replenish those targets. However, if the water drops too much, he fears the fish will move out of the creek completely.

“We don’t really have a backup plan,” Ableman said. “It’s either we catch the fish and we are in position, or we aren’t.”

Meanwhile, the quality of fish decreased for Dellinger and Nathan Smith on Day 2, but the CVCC team remains in contention just 9 ounces behind Ableman and Wilson Smith. Dellinger and Nathan Smith returned to the same pocket they had success in yesterday but did not find the same success.

“There was a bunch of bait in there, and there was some schooling activity yesterday. Today our fish came up schooling and pushed all of the bait out of the pocket,” Dellinger said. “For that particular pocket, I think most of the quality is gone.”

Toward the end of the day, the CVCC team found another pocket with schooling fish, a potential tournament saver if the bass are fired up on Championship Saturday.

“If we can put three bites on those fish in the boat, it’s going to make it interesting tomorrow,” Dellinger said.

All six of the fish Dellinger and Nathan Smith have brought to the scales were caught on the same bait, and Dellinger said he doesn’t intend to change on the final day.

Jake Lee and Mason Cizek from Bryan College in Tennessee rounded out the Top 3 with a two-day total of 18-4, while Jacksonville State University anglers Zeke Gossett and Lucas Smith, who started the day in 30th with a Day 1 total of 6-3, rocketed to fifth place with an 11-7 limit, the heaviest of Day 2.

The Brewton-Parker College duo of Bryce Henley and Reese Kingston claimed the Carhartt Big Bass of the day with a 5-12 largemouth, just 2 ounces shy of the overall big bass of the tournament weighed in by Clemson University’s GL Compton and Matthew Sprouse on Day 1.

The Top 12 teams will take off Saturday from Green Pond Landing at 6:45 a.m. ET and return for the weigh-in at 2:45 p.m. The 12 teams have also already earned a spot in the 2020 Carhartt Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on the Harris Chain of Lakes starting Oct. 29.

The event is being hosted by Visit Anderson.

2020 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt

2020 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2020 Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2020 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Abu GarciaBerkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Talon, Ranger Boats, Yamaha

2020 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: GarminHuk Performance Fishing, Mossy Oak Fishing, Rapala, TNT Fireworks

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, new Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic.

2020 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Lake Hartwell presented by
Bass Pro Shops 8/27-8/29
Lake Hartwell, Anderson  SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler                                       Club/School                       Pts

1.  Brad Ableman – Wilson Smith                  Bethel University                   250
Day 1: 3   09-11     Day 2: 3   09-05   Total:   6  19-00
2.  Jeremy Dellinger – Nathan Smith              CVCC                                249
Day 1: 3   11-09     Day 2: 3   06-14   Total:   6  18-07
3.  Jake Lee – Mason Cizek                       Bryan College                       248
Day 1: 3   09-12     Day 2: 3   08-08   Total:   6  18-04
4.  Bryce Henley – Reese Kingston                Brewton-Parker College              247
Day 1: 3   06-13     Day 2: 3   11-00   Total:   6  17-13
5.  Zeke Gossett – Lucas Smith                   Jacksonville State                  246
Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 3   11-07   Total:   6  17-10
6.  Grant Adams – Wil Rigdon                     Campbellsville University           245
Day 1: 3   10-02     Day 2: 3   07-07   Total:   6  17-09
7.  Griffin Fernandes – Gunner Wilson            Adrian College                      244
Day 1: 3   08-08     Day 2: 3   08-10   Total:   6  17-02
8.  Cody Gregory – Levi Mullins                  Bethel University                   243
Day 1: 3   09-03     Day 2: 3   07-04   Total:   6  16-07
9.  Grayson Morris – Jacob Pfundt                University of Montevalllo           242
Day 1: 3   08-00     Day 2: 3   08-04   Total:   6  16-04
10. Jarred Jones – Logan Tate                    Jacksonville State University       241
Day 1: 3   07-07     Day 2: 3   08-06   Total:   6  15-13
11. Garrett Warren –                             Snead State Community College       240
Day 1: 3   06-10     Day 2: 3   08-07   Total:   6  15-01
12. Harbor Lovin – Zachary Martin                Murray State University             239
Day 1: 3   08-12     Day 2: 3   06-02   Total:   6  14-14
13. Joseph McClosky – Ryan Winchester            Bethel University                   238
Day 1: 3   04-10     Day 2: 3   10-02   Total:   6  14-12
14. GL Compton – Matthew Sprouse                 Clemson University                  237
Day 1: 3   10-01     Day 2: 3   04-07   Total:   6  14-08
15. George Fallon – George Gore                  Clemson University                  236
Day 1: 3   09-00     Day 2: 3   05-03   Total:   6  14-03
16. Cole Sands – Conner Dimauro                  Bryan College                       235
Day 1: 3   08-05     Day 2: 3   05-08   Total:   6  13-13
17. Cal Culpepper – Mason Waddell                University of Montevallo            234
Day 1: 3   07-02     Day 2: 3   06-08   Total:   6  13-10
18. Mark Harris – Reece Martin                   Dallas Baptist University           233
Day 1: 3   03-05     Day 2: 3   10-01   Total:   6  13-06
19. Miller Spivey – Trey Dickert                 University of Montevallo            232
Day 1: 3   06-06     Day 2: 3   07-00   Total:   6  13-06
20. Joshua DeKoning – Carter Ball                Adrian College                      231
Day 1: 3   06-14     Day 2: 3   06-06   Total:   6  13-04
21. Weston Hollar – Wesley Gore                  University of Montevallo            230
Day 1: 3   06-05     Day 2: 3   06-12   Total:   6  13-01
22. Dax Ewart – Kyle Palmer                      Bethel University                   229
Day 1: 3   07-14     Day 2: 3   05-01   Total:   6  12-15
23. James Willoughby – Chance Schwartz           University of Montevallo            228
Day 1: 3   05-12     Day 2: 3   07-02   Total:   6  12-14
24. Lane Bailey – Adam Seagle                    CVCC                                227
Day 1: 3   10-05     Day 2: 2   02-03   Total:   5  12-08
25. Emil Wagner –                                Ole Miss                            226
Day 1: 3   06-02     Day 2: 3   06-05   Total:   6  12-07
26. Hunter MCClaskey – Nicholas Gilbert          King University                     225
Day 1: 3   05-11     Day 2: 3   06-10   Total:   6  12-05
27. Nolan Minor – Casey Lanier                   West Virginia University            224
Day 1: 3   03-08     Day 2: 3   08-12   Total:   6  12-04
28. Mitchel Goodin – John Jacobs                 Georgia Southern University         223
Day 1: 3   04-05     Day 2: 3   07-13   Total:   6  12-02
29. Bryce Miller – Nick Crawford                 Kent State University               222
Day 1: 2   04-08     Day 2: 2   07-07   Total:   4  11-15
30. Whit Edmonds – Bobby Long                    Lander University                   221
Day 1: 3   05-05     Day 2: 3   06-09   Total:   6  11-14
31. Dalton Smith – Bradley Dunagan               Campbellsville University           220
Day 1: 3   04-09     Day 2: 2   07-03   Total:   5  11-12
32. Colin Slentz – Evan Slentz                   Lander University                   219
Day 1: 3   07-03     Day 2: 3   04-05   Total:   6  11-08
33. Jacob Blumling – Nathanael Wright            Emmanuel College                    218
Day 1: 3   07-01     Day 2: 2   04-07   Total:   5  11-08
34. Jason Zubris –                               Penn State University               217
Day 1: 3   07-02     Day 2: 3   04-05   Total:   6  11-07
35. Hayden Gaddis – Ben Cully                    Carson-Newman University            216
Day 1: 3   06-08     Day 2: 3   04-15   Total:   6  11-07
36. Weston Bison – Parker Wilton                 Lander University                   215
Day 1: 3   05-06     Day 2: 3   05-15   Total:   6  11-05
37. Luke Lamb – Seth Roberts                     Bethel University                   214
Day 1: 2   06-11     Day 2: 3   04-08   Total:   5  11-03
38. Jj Kocevar – Tanner Shriver                  Kent State University               213
Day 1: 3   05-11     Day 2: 3   05-06   Total:   6  11-01
39. Zachary Asher – Jacob Klicman                Kent State University               212
Day 1: 3   05-07     Day 2: 3   05-10   Total:   6  11-01
40. Braden Perry – Aidan England                 Carson-Newman University            211
Day 1: 3   09-09     Day 2: 1   01-06   Total:   4  10-15
41. Mason Moore – Ryan Freeman                   Eastern Kentucky University         210
Day 1: 3   04-05     Day 2: 3   06-10   Total:   6  10-15
42. Drew Pridgen – Kaleb Brown                   Lander University                   209
Day 1: 3   08-04     Day 2: 1   02-10   Total:   4  10-14
43. Shane Nelson – Brayden Federer               Adrian College                      208
Day 1: 3   06-01     Day 2: 3   04-13   Total:   6  10-14
44. Calvin Currie – Tommy Teaster                Lander University                   207
Day 1: 3   05-01     Day 2: 3   05-13   Total:   6  10-14
45. Solomon Glenn – Hunter Ward                  University of Montervallo           206
Day 1: 3   04-00     Day 2: 3   06-13   Total:   6  10-13
46. Austin Goins – Kirk Elijah                   Bryan college                       205
Day 1: 3   04-10     Day 2: 3   06-00   Total:   6  10-10
47. Cole Zagrzebski – Ryan Bradway               Western Michigan University         204
Day 1: 3   05-11     Day 2: 3   04-15   Total:   6  10-10
48. Jack Dice –                                  Liberty University                  203
Day 1: 3   04-15     Day 2: 3   05-07   Total:   6  10-06
49. Andrew Fisher – Bennett Kudder               Bryan College                       202
Day 1: 3   03-12     Day 2: 3   06-08   Total:   6  10-04
50. William Martin – Jack Baron                  University of Montevallo            201
Day 1: 3   04-07     Day 2: 3   05-08   Total:   6  09-15
51. Cordell Beckman – Dru Johnson                Greenville University               200
Day 1: 3   03-11     Day 2: 3   06-03   Total:   6  09-14
52. Austin Davis – Josh Howard                   Greenville Techincal                199
Day 1: 3   04-03     Day 2: 3   05-11   Total:   6  09-14
53. Jackson Staib – Baylor Howell                Bethel University                   198
Day 1: 3   05-10     Day 2: 2   04-00   Total:   5  09-10
54. Conner Giles – Christian Wright              Bryan College                       197
Day 1: 3   05-00     Day 2: 3   04-10   Total:   6  09-10
55. Trevor Harrill – Ty Leatherwood              Appalachian State University        196
Day 1: 3   04-06     Day 2: 3   05-03   Total:   6  09-09
56. Caleb Lonca – Justin Eggers                  CVCC                                195
Day 1: 3   05-13     Day 2: 3   03-10   Total:   6  09-07
57. Stephen Kinard – Jimmy Mitchum               Lander University                   194
Day 1: 3   06-12     Day 2: 2   02-07   Total:   5  09-03
58. Shawn Coots – Luke Henderson                 Campbellsville University           193
Day 1: 3   04-05     Day 2: 3   04-14   Total:   6  09-03
59. Nolan Yeager – Ethan LeGare                  Stephen F. Austin State Universi    192
Day 1: 3   03-06     Day 2: 3   05-12   Total:   6  09-02
60. Matthew Davis – Cody Batterson               Adrian College                      191
Day 1: 3   04-13     Day 2: 3   04-05   Total:   6  09-02
61. Sean Clayton – Owen Dimaio                   Clemson University                  190
Day 1: 3   04-06     Day 2: 3   04-11   Total:   6  09-01
62. Matthew Cummings – Joseph Woods              Bethel University                   189
Day 1: 3   02-14     Day 2: 3   06-02   Total:   6  09-00
63. Dawson Cassidy – Gus Mclarry                 Texas AM Commerce                   188
Day 1: 3   04-10     Day 2: 3   04-04   Total:   6  08-14
64. Hunter Bond – Bowman Davis                   Clemson University                  187
Day 1: 3   07-11     Day 2: 1   01-01   Total:   4  08-12
65. Ross Parris – Reed Green                     Lander University                   186
Day 1: 2   03-11     Day 2: 3   05-01   Total:   5  08-12
66. Atom Ward – Gavin Lagle                      Indiana University Southeast        185
Day 1: 3   04-07     Day 2: 3   04-05   Total:   6  08-12
67. Zach Manneback – Jarrod Layton               Adrain College                      184
Day 1: 2   04-05     Day 2: 3   04-05   Total:   5  08-10
68. Curtis Dillon – Aaron Digh                   East Carolina University            183
Day 1: 3   04-02     Day 2: 3   04-07   Total:   6  08-09
69. Cameron Rhodes – Jacob Witkowski             Dallas Baptist University           182
Day 1: 3   04-09     Day 2: 3   03-13   Total:   6  08-06
70. Tyler Christy – Trey Schroeder               McKendree University                181
Day 1: 3   05-05     Day 2: 2   03-00   Total:   5  08-05
71. Cole Dodson – Trent Jones                    University of Montevallo            180
Day 1: 3   06-02     Day 2: 1   02-02   Total:   4  08-04
72. Wyatt Reid – Gehrig DeFronzo                 Erskine College                     179
Day 1: 3   04-05     Day 2: 3   03-13   Total:   6  08-02
73. Griffin Phillips – Ethan King                University of Montevallo            178
Day 1: 3   01-11     Day 2: 3   06-06   Total:   6  08-01
74. Cy Casey – Daelyn Whaley                     Emmanuel College                    177
Day 1: 3   04-01     Day 2: 3   03-14   Total:   6  07-15
75. Hayden Fuhr – Chase Carver                   Lander University                   176
Day 1: 3   05-02     Day 2: 3   02-12   Total:   6  07-14
76. Brian Linder – Nathan Thompson               Minnesota State Univ Mankato        175
Day 1: 3   05-09     Day 2: 2   02-03   Total:   5  07-12
77. Tristan McCormick – Stevie Mills             Bethel University                   174
Day 1: 1   00-15     Day 2: 3   06-08   Total:   4  07-07
78. Matthew Benson – Garrett Ankerich            Emmanuel College                    173
Day 1: 1   01-15     Day 2: 3   05-05   Total:   4  07-04
79. Tanner Barnes – Jordan Smallwood             Campbellsville University           172
Day 1: 3   03-11     Day 2: 3   03-09   Total:   6  07-04
80. Mark Wilson – Dylon Williams                 georgia southern                    171
Day 1: 1   01-01     Day 2: 3   05-09   Total:   4  06-10
81. James Duncan – Blake Stringer                Campbellsville University           170
Day 1: 1   01-03     Day 2: 3   05-07   Total:   4  06-10
82. Bailey Bleser – Christian Hernandez          Mckendree University                169
Day 1: 3   03-14     Day 2: 2   02-10   Total:   5  06-08
83. Colby Hays – Logan Hawkins                   Campbellsville University           168
Day 1: 2   01-15     Day 2: 3   04-07   Total:   5  06-06
84. Britt Myers – Tyler Anderson                 Lander University                   167
Day 1: 3   03-06     Day 2: 3   03-00   Total:   6  06-06
85. Spencer Black – Lucas Oliver                 CVCC                                166
Day 1: 3   03-08     Day 2: 1   02-13   Total:   4  06-05
86. Ethan Shaw – Tyler Price                     Bryan College                       165
Day 1: 2   02-06     Day 2: 3   03-13   Total:   5  06-03
87. Sam Shoemaker – Hayden Scott                 Adrian College                      164
Day 1: 1   01-15     Day 2: 3   04-02   Total:   4  06-01
88. Kollin Smith – John Wesley Wardlaw           Emmanuel College                    163
Day 1: 3   05-13     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  05-13
89. Alec Coffey – Kyle Roy                       Campbellsville University           162
Day 1: 1   02-10     Day 2: 2   03-03   Total:   3  05-13
90. River Lee – Hunter Muncrief                  Stephen F. Austin State Universi    161
Day 1: 1   01-02     Day 2: 3   04-07   Total:   4  05-09
91. Tanner Maness – Chandlar Ellis               Lander University                   160
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   05-07   Total:   3  05-07
92. Bailey Fain – Preston Kendrick               Bryan College                       159
Day 1: 1   00-15     Day 2: 3   04-07   Total:   4  05-06
93. Matthew Roberts –                            Alice Lloyd College                 158
Day 1: 1   01-00     Day 2: 1   04-02   Total:   2  05-02
94. Zachary Bowen – Thomas Millraney             Bethel University                   157
Day 1: 2   02-02     Day 2: 3   03-00   Total:   5  05-02
95. Rob Lindsey – Justin Botts                   Bryan College                       156
Day 1: 3   03-12     Day 2: 1   01-01   Total:   4  04-13
96. Jake Maddux –                                Southern Union Community College    155
Day 1: 3   04-12     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  04-12
97. Levi Sanchez – Nathan Schrader               Clemson                             154
Day 1: 3   04-10     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  04-10
98. Chandler Jarrard – David Brashear            Georgia Southern University         153
Day 1: 3   04-06     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  04-06
99. Adam Puckett – Blake Albertson               Murray State University             152
Day 1: 3   02-13     Day 2: 1   01-06   Total:   4  04-03
100. Ty Black – Avry Thomason                     Georgia Southern University         151
Day 1: 3   04-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  04-00
101. Jack York – Cooper Thor                      Stephen F Austin State Universit    150
Day 1: 3   03-15     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  03-15
102. Austin Smith – Maddux Walters                Carson Newman                       149
Day 1: 1   02-02     Day 2: 2   01-12   Total:   3  03-14
103. Tyler Lusk – Corey Waits                     Lander University                   148
Day 1: 2   02-11     Day 2: 1   00-15   Total:   3  03-10
104. Alex Saxon – Andrew Brock                    Emmanuel College                    147
Day 1: 3   03-03     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  03-03
105. Troy Gibson – Adam Hope                      University of Louisville            146
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-11   Total:   1  02-11
106. Denver Monteith – Adam Watts                 Trevecca Nazarene University        145
Day 1: 2   02-09     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   2  02-09
107. Brant Shuler – Blake Nalley                  Clemson University                  144
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-05   Total:   1  02-05
108. Cade Tootle – Thomas Mcelwaney               Georgia Southern University         143
Day 1: 2   01-15     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   2  01-15
109. Ryan Park – Jon Johnston                     Murray State University             142
Day 1: 1   01-06     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   1  01-06
110. Garritt Coughenour –                         Tennessee Tech                      141
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   01-04   Total:   1  01-04
111. David Hendel – Jacob Blackburn               Ohio State University               140
Day 1: 1   01-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   1  01-00
112. Weston Randall – Anthony Hunckler            Appalachian State University        139
Day 1: 1   00-15     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   1  00-15
113. Jonah Gilbert –                              Emmanuel College                      0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
113. Griffin Heffington – Jacob Frazier           Carson-Newman University              0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
113. Caleb Sheldon – Ben Kinney                   Lander University                     0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        85       288       538-10
2        77       265       516-09
———————————-
162       553      1055-03

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