ULM Fishing Team Wins Big

Tyler Stewart and Nicholas Joiner Win First Place

ULM STUDENTS, TYLER STEWART and Nicholas Joiner, emerged as the victors, claiming first place in the fishing tournament with an impressive overall weight of 16 pounds and 9 ounces. Joiner’s catch of a 5-pound, 12-ounce bass played a significant role in propelling them to the top position. Their exceptional performance not only earned them $2,000 in prize money but also secured their entry into the highly anticipated 2017 College Fishing National Championship. The championship is scheduled to take place from May 31st to June 3rd on Wheeler Lake in Rogersville, Alabama.

Joiner expressed his elation, stating, “It feels great to get the win on our home water and qualify for the national championship at Wheeler Lake. We are very excited and are looking forward to representing ULM.” Stewart added, “To win on our home water in front of all our friends and family was awesome. Now that we have two regional wins under our belt, we really want that championship.”

Tom Torregrossa, Director of the ULM Police Department and advisor to the fishing team, highlighted the team’s determination to compete at a national level. “In the fishing team meeting last month, the focus was on ULM competing on a national level,” said Torregrossa. “The guys continue to step up and put themselves in a position to win. This not only represents who we are as a university, but it also represents the character of the student-athletes at ULM.”

The tournament, which served as the third and final regular-season bass fishing event in the Southern Conference, was hosted by the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau. Slade Daniel and Tyler Craig also represented ULM in the competition, securing a commendable fifth-place finish and winning $500. Additionally, their performance secured them a spot in the upcoming National

Championship.

Joining Stewart, Joiner, Daniel, and Craig at the prestigious national championship will be Hunter Freeman and Thomas Soileau. Freeman and Soileau had previously qualified for the event in April when they secured a fifth-place finish at the 2016 FLW College Fishing Open. The collective participation of these talented ULM students is a testament to their skill, dedication, and the university’s commitment to fostering excellence in its student-athletes.