Bryan fishing team looking to build on recent success

Written By: Colby Roach

Sports Editor

Dayton, Tenn.—After being ranked No. 6 in the Cabela’s School of the Year poll in 2016, the Bryan Lions Fishing Team looks to claim the top spot currently held by Alabama by the end of 2017.

Bryan Lion
Bryan Lion

Sophomore Cole Sands and Freshman Connor Cohran highlighted the season with a catch of 16 pounds, 3 ounces to claim the top spot at the FLW College Fishing Southeastern Conference event on Lake Chickamauga.

“I’ve been able to fish almost every grass mat from here (Dayton) to Chester Frost,” said Sands. “My partner and I had a big practice day, and the game plan was to start at the “big spot” we had come across in practice.”

Sands and Cohran earned the club $2,000 and qualified for the 2017 FLW College Fishing National Championship on May 31-June 3 on Lake Wheeler in Rogersville, Ala.

Head Coach Mike Keen recently spoke about the success the team has achieved in their second year of the program.

“This being only our second year, our guys have grown in confidence. We are no longer the new kids on the block, but we belong. In our first year, we were solely proud to be there, but now we are proud and expecting to do well. It will carry over into the next year, and it certainly helps to be bringing in talented anglers.”

The Lions look to improve on last years sixth place finish after securing fifth at the FLW Southeastern Regional on Lake Seminole in Seminole, Ga.

Colby Roach is a Communications: Journalism Option major. Colby is the sports editor for the Bryan Triangle. He has also completed an internship with the Chattanooga Times Free Press. You will find Colby at most local area sporting events or can follow him on Twitter @RoachCoach12.