The University of Michigan Bass Fishing Club traveled to Bloomington, Indiana on October 15 to participate in the Fourth Annual Big Ten Invitational

University of Michigan Bass Fishing Club Wins Fourth Annual Big Ten Invitational Tournament

The University of Michigan Bass Fishing Club traveled to Bloomington, Indiana to participate in the Fourth Annual Big Ten Invitational on October 15. The tournament was held on Lake Monroe, a reservoir about ten miles from the Indiana University campus. Weather for both the practice day and the tournament was warm (about 80^oF) and sunny, resulting in very slow fishing. Seven schools participated in the tournament: University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Indiana University, Purdue University, University of Iowa, and University of Wisconsin. Each team was allowed up to ten members, and the total weight of fish caught by each team was calculated to produce the following results:

1st place - University of Michigan (8 anglers) - 6 fish

2nd place - Indiana University (10 anglers) - 4 fish

3rd place - Purdue University (10 anglers) - 3 fish

4th place - Ohio State University (2 anglers) - 2 fish

5th place - University of Iowa (8 anglers) - 2 fish

6th place - University of Wisconsin (10 anglers) - 1 fish

7th place - Michigan State University (7 anglers) - 1 fish

This was only the second year the University of Michigan Club participated in the tournament, which was established in August 1997. The members of the team that were present for this year's competition and their total catches are:

Mike Ross - 2 fish; 3.39 pounds

Darin Taverna - 1 fish; 2.31 pounds

Matt Diana - 1 fish; 1.88 pounds

Chad Laurent - 1 fish; 1.63 pounds.

Mike Blankinship- 1 fish; 1.49 pounds

Brian Allan - 0 fish; 0 pounds

Tim Carmody- 0 fish; 0 pounds

Noah Karberg- 0 fish; 0 pounds

Jim Diana, Professor and coach, was also present. The team was awarded a trophy, as well as individual plaques. In addition to team awards, Mike Ross (team captain) placed third in total weight of fish caught. This championship is particularly rewarding to the U of M Club, since in previous years the competition had been dominated by the two Indiana universities (Indiana and Purdue), and it was won in Indiana waters.

For more information, visit the UM Bass Fishing Club website at:

http://www.umich.edu/~jimd/big10bass.html