Abu Garcia Presents Current Rankings in School of the Year

 

ACA staff takes a closer look at teams ranked 11^th – 15^th compared to their pre-season ranking entering this year

11. Tarleton State University

 

Total Points: 4,895

 

Pre-Season Ranking: 11^th

 

For the second time in this mid-season rankings review, the pre-season poll correctly projected a team’s current ranking. Tarleton State University entered the season projected 11^th overall, and as we reach the halfway mark of the 2021-22 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia…Tarleton is ranked 11^th. The Tarleton State University team, from Stephenville, TX, is one of the oldest fishing programs in the nation. So far this season, they’ve earned 4,895 points which has them sitting just 70 points outside of the Top 10. 

12. Campbellsville University

 

Total Points: 4,855

 

Pre-Season Ranking: 13^th

 

The next team to be highlighted in the mid-season rankings review is Campbellsville University. Coming off of an 11^th place finish in 2021, Campbellsville entered this season projected to finish 13^th in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. With a season total of 4,855 points, Campbellsville is currently ranked 12^th.

 

Taking a closer look at Campbellsville’s season to this point, the team has not earned less than 700 points at any one event. This is quite the model of consistency from a young team that is looking to replace multiple veteran anglers that recently graduated. This performance is a testament to the fishing program being built at Campbellsville University.

13. Wabash Valley College

 

Total Points: 4,835

 

Pre-Season Ranking: 16^th

 

Wabash Valley College checks in at 13^th in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Following a 20^th place finish in 2021, WVC entered the 2021-22 campaign with a pre-season ranking of 16^th. With a season points total of 4,835, WVC is working towards one of the best finishes in the school’s brief history.

 

“I definitely didn’t expect, the first year, to be sitting where we’re at and to have had the success that we’ve had,” said Head Coach Todd Gill. “Very pleased with the success that we’ve had. We did learn a lot.”

14. East Texas Baptist University

 

Total Points: 4,720

 

Pre-Season Ranking: 23^rd

 

Of the five teams we are highlighting in this particular feature, East Texas Baptist University is the one that has most exceeded its pre-season ranking. Picked to finish 23^rd overall at the start of the year, ETBU is now ranked 14^th in the Bass Pro Shops school of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Coming off of a 34^th overall finish in 2021, ETBU has earned a total of 4,720 points this season.

 

A quick glance at ETBU’s season to this point reveals two key events to the team’s success. 3,230 of the Texas school’s 4,720 points have been earned at just two events, the MLF Southern Regional at Lake O’ the Pines and the 2021 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.

15. University of North Alabama

 

Total Points: 4,710

 

Pre-Season Ranking: 20^th

 

Rounding out this five team highlight of schools ranked 11^th – 15^th is the University of North Alabama, a two-time winner of the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia (2014, 2015). Picked to finish 20^th overall in the ACA Pre-Season Poll, UNA finds itself ranked 15^th at the moment with 4,710 points.

 

Before wrapping up this feature, we take a brief look at UNA’s points breakdown. The team from Florence, AL earned 2,040 points at the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open and has gained an additional 125 points for hosting ACA sanctioned school-run events. UNA is strategically planning out its 2021-22 campaign and looks poised to carry that same momentum and strategy into the final half of the year.