TOLEDO BEND LAKE – The Greenville University fishing team got off to a cold and wet start in their first event of the spring season. The Bassmaster College Tour Stop #1 took place on Toledo Bend Lake, which lies on the Texas and Louisiana border.

Despite traveling 13 hours southwest to the event, the team didn't escape the cold weather. Both days of practice started off in the mid-30s, accompanied by steady rainfall. The weather, paired with mechanical troubles on the one of the boats, led to less than ideal practice conditions.

Day 1 of the event started out with temperatures hovering around 37 degrees. This didn't keep the 250 boats and nearly 500 anglers from heading out on the lake.

At the day 1 weigh in, the team of Cordell Beckmann and Dru Johnson weighed two fish for 3 pounds, 4 ounces. Chris Brooks and Nate Overocker weighed one for 1 pound 10 ounces.

Day two was tougher on Beckmann and Johnson who were unable to catch a keeper length bass, but Brooks and Overocker had a stronger day, catching three keepers weighing a total of 9 pounds, 7 ounces. Their day 2 bag was anchored by a healthy 5 pounder. While not the finish the team was looking for, out of the 250 boat field, these weights landed Brooks and Overocker in 142nd place and Beckmann and Johnson in 205th.

The next event on the schedule for the fishing team is the FLW National Championship. It will take place February 26-28 on the Harris Chain of Lakes. Located near Leesburg, FL, the Harris Chain will offer the team an opportunity to catch the bass of a lifetime.

Each team attending the National Championship must qualify through regional events. The Panthers will be represented by the team of Cale Jausel and Jordan Phillips, who qualified at the FLW regional on Kentucky Lake, and Cordell Beckmann and Dru Johnson who qualified through the regional held at Lake of the Ozarks.